Diabetes affects women's sex-life

Over one third of women with type I diabetes have some form of sexual dysfunction.

To the prevalence and risk factors associated with sexual dysfunction among diabetic women, researchers from identified 652 women with type I diabetes. After 10-years, the participants completed a sexual function questionnaire and underwent a physical examination, an evaluation of mood, and laboratory tests.

It was found that of the sexually active women with type I diabetes in the study, 35% met criteria for female sexual dysfunction. Problems reported by these women included loss of libido by 57 percent, problems with orgasm by 51 percent, reduced lubrication by 47 percent, reduced arousal by 38 percent, and pain by 21 percent.

On initial analysis, sexual dysfunction was linked to older age, not being married, being postmenopausal, having circulatory problems, and depression. After taking into account various other conditions that could affect these associations, only depression and marital status were significantly related to sexual dysfunction.

The above findings suggest that female sexual dysfunction is common in women with type I diabetes and affects all aspects of sexual function and satisfaction. Also, depression is the major predictor of sexual dysfunction in women with type I diabetes.

The researchers recommended that sexually active women with type I diabetes should be regularly queried about the presence of depressive symptoms, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction.