Know How Diabetes Impacts Reproductive Health

Diabetes is a common chronic condition that results from excessively high blood glucose. In this condition, either the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, or your body does not utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas properly. This might lead to cardiovascular problems and neural problems, as well as health problems like depression and anxiety. Recent studies reveal that diabetes may have an impact on your reproductive health too.

Effects on men

A common problem that affects men’s sexual life is erectile dysfunction. Diabetic men face this as they have low testosterone levels and are unable to maintain an erection during sex. For an erection, constant blood flow is necessary inside the penis. However, as diabetes disrupts the blood flow and damages the blood vessels, men are not able to achieve an erection.

Furthermore, diabetes also damages the arteries and nerves, which again, disturbs the blood flow to the penis. This also causes erectile dysfunction. Other factors that can cause sexual complications among men are- 

• Diabetes-induced obesity

• High blood pressure

• Retrograde ejaculation – refers to a condition where semen is ejaculated to your bladder, but not through your penis

Effects on women

For women, during menopause, blood sugar levels may drop due to diabetes. Besides, high blood sugar levels damage the nerves of a woman. This may hinder the ability to feel aroused during sex and lowers sexual stimulation. This reduces their capability to achieve orgasm.

Another common issue among women with diabetes is vaginal dryness. This causes a lack of lubrication in the vagina that makes sex painful. Damage to the nerves that lubricate the vagina may be the reason for this. During menopause or after menopause, it can be due to low estrogen.

Diabetes is more likely to cause vaginal infections such as yeast infections and urinary tract infections. Both of these cause pain during sexual intercourse. If the nerves of the bladder are damaged, it can lead to urinary incontinence while sex.

There are certain medications and therapy that may help control diabetes. Additionally, changes in lifestyle such as eating healthy, exercising daily, etc. will enhance your well-being will significantly improve your blood glucose levels – and in turn, your sex life.