Last night my wife and I watched a movie on AcronTV that was based on a true story of the introduction of Viagra in the UK. It took place in the early nineties and was targeted toward men who were diabetics. The story centered on five men and their female companion’s social interaction resulting from the medication’s first trials. It was well done and interesting.

At breakfast, my wife and I discussed the film and in so doing the subject of diabetes and women’s sexual drive came up. Neither of us had ever heard of any research into this potential duality and thus this blog.

I turned to Perplexity with the following Prompt and results: is there any research into the impact of diabetes on the sexual drive of females?

Yes, there is a relationship between diabetes and sexual drive in females. Women with diabetes are more likely to experience a decrease in libido or lower sex drive compared to women without diabetes[1][2][5]. This can be attributed to several factors:

  1. Hormonal changes: Diabetes can disrupt the normal balance of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which can reduce sex drive and make it harder to become aroused[5].
  2. Nerve damage: High blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage, affecting sensation in the genitals and making it difficult to feel sexual stimulation[1][5].
  3. Reduced blood flow: Diabetes can damage blood vessels, restricting blood flow to sexual organs and potentially affecting arousal[5].
  4. Psychological factors: Depression, anxiety, and stress associated with managing diabetes can contribute to a lower libido[2][5].
  5. Medication side effects: Some medications used to treat diabetes or its complications, such as blood pressure drugs or antidepressants, can negatively impact sex drive[2][5].
  6. Vaginal dryness: Women with diabetes may experience vaginal dryness due to reduced blood flow and nerve damage, which can make sex uncomfortable and decrease desire[1][5][8].

It’s important to note that while diabetes can affect sexual function, the impact varies among individuals. Open communication with healthcare providers and partners, along with proper diabetes management, can help address these issues and maintain a healthy sex life[2][5].

Citations:
[1] https://diabetesjournals.org/spectrum/article/16/4/256/2042/Diabetes-and-Female-Sexual-Functioning-A-State-of
[2] https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2012/07/98664/women-diabetes-more-likely-experience-sexual-dissatisfaction
[3] https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/how-can-diabetes-affect-a-woman-s-sex-life
[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4430881/
[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/sex-health
[6] https://diatribe.org/lifestyle/sexual-well-being-women-diabetes
[7] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317194
[8] https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/complications/sexual-problems-women