Girl Talk: Dishing on Diabetes and Libido

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A recent study out of Belgium reported that women with type 1 diabetes have experienced some sexual difficulty. The article, published by Reuters, said that the findings also suggest depression as a key factor linked to problems with sexuality for women. 

Out of 652 women with type 1 diabetes, 35 percent were classified as having sexual dysfunction.  Problems reported by these women included loss of libido by 57%, problems with orgasm 51%, reduced lubrication 47%, reduced arousal 38% and pain 21%.  In addition, the study noted that sexual dysfunction was linked to older women, those not being married and postmenopausal, having circulatory problems and depression.  After taking into account all the various conditions that could be associated, only depression and marital status were significantly related to sexual dysfunction. 

I think this study is flawed!  Exactly where is the specific link to diabetes? I was expecting to read that a reaction to insulin, uneven blood sugars, or types of diabetes medications cause a drop in libido.  Instead, I found multiple issues that affect ANY women's sex drive, let alone those of type 1 diabetes! Some women with type 1 diabetes suffer multiple issues that may affect sex drive, but this study noted that older women, unmarried women and depression were root causes.  This study was conducted because so much research has been done on the effects of diabetes on men, and so researchers decided that they should give equal opportunity.  After reading this study, I am perplexed, does diabetes actually affect libido, or are we looking at a problem that is larger then disease we have?  

In another report that surveyed random men and women, specifically 13,882 women and 13,618 men in 29 countries, found women were more sexually dissatisfied than men.  The statistics of women feeling depressed or dissatisfied will certainly cause a drop in libido. 

If you are living with diabetes and have a low libido, what can you do?

A healthy libido certainly needs a healthy body to - shall we say - keep it up!  Many studies show a healthy sex drive is good for you.  Regular sex increases immunity from viruses, relieves stress, and triggers the release of chemicals to improve mood and even eases pain.  All of these factors are important for people with diabetes!  But how do we start to revive or maybe find a healthier sex drive?

The Journal of Sexual Medicine reviewed five studies.  All of them pointed toward acupuncture and yoga as most helpful for increasing desire and reducing pain during sex.  A 45-minute acupuncture session or a one-hour yoga class will leave you feeling centered and rooted in your body, calm yet fully alive and vibrant.  Good benefits for you to take home to bed!

Yoga has always been a libido builder for me! My husband had a bumper sticker that read "I Love Yoga," the joke being he never attended a class, if you catch my drift. Yoga and pilates build libido by using breath and deeply engaging lower abdominal muscles.  Doing yoga and/or pilates for an hour or more, brings vital blood flow to the sex organs, as well as building and maintaining pelvic floor muscles  that are vital to moving and living life free of pain.   But in truth, all exercise increases libido!