One of the fearful dreams of diabetics is that their sexual life will be adversely affected by this disease. Medistate Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Specialist Assoc. Dr. Başak Karbek Bayraktar gave information about the sexual problems caused by diabetes and its solution:
Uncontrolled diabetes hits sex life
Assoc. Dr. Başak Karbek Bayraktar, “In some men with uncontrolled diabetes, damage to the nerves can lead to erectile dysfunction or impair the function of the vessels that control the blood flow necessary for erection. In women, this situation manifests itself with sexual reluctance, vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse.
What to do?
Sexual dysfunctions associated with diabetes can be treated. In such a case, the person should first share the issue with the diabetes doctor. “In sexual disorders of psychological origin, the patient should be referred to a therapist if necessary, and in sexual dysfunctions of vascular origin, a multidisciplinary approach should be taken by involving a urologist, gynecologist, endocrinologist, psychologist and even cardiologist. In the treatment of neuropathic problems, first of all, it is necessary to regulate the patient’s diabetes well. “Preventing hypo- and hyperglycemia in the short term can indirectly improve sexual life. In the long term, good control of blood sugar can help prevent complications related to diabetes and improve sexual functions,” Bayraktar said, emphasizing the importance of regulating blood sugar in diabetics.