Diabetes and sexual dysfunction: current perspectives

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases in nearly all countries. It has been associated with sexual dysfunction, both in males and in females. Diabetes is an established risk factor for sexual dysfunction in men, as a threefold increased risk of erectile dysfunction was documented in diabetic men, as compared with nondiabetic men. Among women, evidence regarding the association between diabetes and sexual dysfunction are less conclusive, although most studies have reported a higher prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in diabetic women as compared with nondiabetic women. Female sexual function appears to be more related to social and psychological components than to the physiological consequence of diabetes. Hyperglycemia, which is a main determinant of vascular and microvascular diabetic complications, may participate in the pathogenetic mechanisms of sexual dysfunction in diabetes. Moreover, diabetic people may present several clinical conditions, including hypertension, overweight and obesity, metabolic syndrome, cigarette smoking, and atherogenic dyslipidemia, which are themselves risk factors for sexual dysfunction, both in men and in women. The adoption of healthy lifestyles may reduce insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress – all of which are desirable achievements in diabetic patients. Improved well-being may further contribute to reduce and prevent sexual dysfunction in both sexes.

Bringing the body of the iceberg to the surface: the Female Sexual Dysfunction Index-6 (FSDI-6) in the screening of female sexual dysfunction

“…This could be due to the fact that subjects with a lower BMI are more confident in solving their problem and, therefore, more frequently seek medical care for their sexual difficulties. We also found that diabetes mellitus is a predictor for lack of referral, even if significantly associated with FSD (see [27,28] and present study). Similarly, subjects suffering from hypertension or with a medical history of bariatric surgery were more likely to have FSD, but also to refrain from referring.…”

Psychosocial Care for People With Diabetes: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association

“…Less research is available regarding sexual health for males, particularly in youth; however, males with diabetes have a threefold increased risk of erectile dysfunction compared with men who do not have diabetes (106,107). Open and factual discussions of these topics facilitate future comfort in disclosing any concerns regarding sexual function.…”

Erectile Dysfunction among Diabetic Patients at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Zimbabwe

“…However among the women the evidence of the association of diabetes mellitus and sexual dysfunction is less conclusive even though most studies have reported higher prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in diabetic women when compared with non-diabetic women. In men diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor for sexual dysfunction with a documented threefold increase in risk of erectile dysfunction in diabetes mellitus men comparing to non-diabetes mellitus men (Esposito, Maiorino, and Bellastella 2014). In this study the prevalence of erectile dysfunction was high and more than 55. sexual disorders are considered personal and private that most patients will not readily discuss them (Unadike, Eregie, and Ohwovoriole 2008).…”

“…However it has been reported that it is not clear whether hyperglycaemia is a risk factor for the development of erectile dysfunction. Some studies have observed association between poor glycaemic control as expressed by elevated levels of glycosylated haemoglobin whist other studied did not report any association (Esposito, Maiorino, and Bellastella 2014). Further research is required to clarify causal link between prolonged hyperglycaemia and erectile dysfunction (Binmoammar et al 2016).…”