Sexual Function and Sexual Quality of Life in Premenopausal Women with Controlled Type 1 and 2 Diabetes—Preliminary Study

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is more common in women with diabetes than in women without diabetes. The aim of the study was to determine sexual function and the level of the quality of sex life in premenopausal women with controlled, uncomplicated type 1 and type 2 diabetes taking into account the stages of the menstrual cycle and mood level. The study included 163 women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and 115 controls without diabetes. Questionnaire studies were conducted using the following surveys: Demographic and Clinical Data Survey, Female Sexual Function Index, Sexual Quality of Life—Female, and Beck Depression Inventory. Both phases of the menstrual cycle—follicular and luteal—were included. It was shown that, in women with type 1 diabetes, sexual function decreased during the luteal phase in comparison with the follicular phase (p < 0.001). In the women with type 2 diabetes and in the controls, sexual function was comparable during both phases of the cycle (p > 0.05). In the women with uncomplicated controlled type 1 diabetes, sexual function and the sexual and relationship satisfaction changed depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle with a decrease during the luteal phase. Sexual function and the quality of the sex life of premenopausal women with controlled type 2 diabetes were comparable during both the follicular and the luteal phases. Sexual function in menstruating women with controlled type 2 diabetes decreased with age and a worsening mood.

Sexual dysfunction in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A single-centre cross-sectional study from Bangladesh

“…In contrast, most of the studies indicated poor or no association between sexual dysfunction and diabetesrelated factors, such as glycaemic control or duration of diabetes, as well as other parameters, such as age, obesity, menstrual characteristics, or use of hormonal contraceptives or replacement therapy, which corroborates our findings (15,33,35,41). Moreover, it was reported that sexual function decreases during the luteal phase in comparison with the follicular phase in women, especially those with T1DM, although sexual function remains similar during both phases in women with T2DM (42). However, female sexual function in diabetes is influenced significantly by psychological distress, such as depression and diabetes stress (12,41,43).…”

Female genital lichen sclerosus is connected with a higher depression rate, decreased sexual quality of life and diminished work productivity

“…There is also some data about decreased sexual quality of life in patients suffering from alopecia areata and high prevalence of sexual distress in women with psoriasis, especially when the genital area was involved [ 31 ]. Moreover, the SQoL-F total score assessed in premenopausal women with diabetes I and II was twofold higher than in our study group [ 32 ]. Furthermore, some research showed that women with genital LS had lower genital self-image which was also linked with a higher anxiety level and worse sexual function [ 33 – 35 ].…”

Does gender affect health-related quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes (ADDQoL) in Central European countries?

“…Sexual dysfunctions in women with diabetes are primarily an impaired libido and pain during intercourse, mainly due to vaginal dryness [39,40,41]. Sexual problems in men with diabetes involve erectile dysfunction, with the problem increasing with the duration of diabetes [42,43]. This common, increasing, and embarrassing problem poses a challenge for contemporary diabetes care, as confirmed by the authors' own study, although their analyses pointed to a higher intensity of this problem in men.…”