Know More About Libido Due To Diabetes!

Chronic conditions like diabetes can cap your sex life to a large extent. And this can impact your quality of life as sexual expression is an important aspect of it. When you are a diabetic, your body becomes vulnerable to multiple health complications – one of them being sexual problems. It affects both genders equally. 

Low libido due to diabetes on women

High blood sugar levels can cause damage to the nerves in the body. In the case of a woman, it can affect her sexual arousal and the lubrication of the vagina. These things can bring down her ability to orgasm and result in painful sex. 

Also if a woman is menopausal, then her blood sugar can drop during sex. Eventually, sexual intercourse can feel like an inconvenience instead of a pleasurable experience.

Moreover, women with diabetes are susceptible to urinary tract infections, thrush and cystitis – all of which can impact her sex life.

Low libido due to diabetes on men

In the case of men, it has been found that high blood sugar levels can reduce their testosterone. However, the major impact of diabetes on men is erectile dysfunction – an inability to hold an erection. 

For the penis to be erect, there has to be significant blood flow to it. Blood vessels that ferry blood to the penis can be damaged by diabetes, therefore, leading to erectile dysfunction. As stated before, diabetes can also damage nerves which can contribute to a weakened erection. 

Impacts common to both genders 

Health complications

Diabetics may tire out quickly. They can also have other health complications, dealing with which can take up a major part of their time. These things can impact the quality of their sex life.

Wearing an insulin pump

Some diabetics wear an insulin pump which delivers insulin to the body. During sexual intercourse, a person may feel self-conscious about it or be scared of the device getting detached. 

Mental impact

Diabetes can lead to mental issues like anxiety, depression, loneliness and lack of self-esteem. 

Medication

Certain drugs used to treat mental illnesses arising out of diabetes can lower one’s libido levels.

Ayurvedic Treatment 

To enhance your libido, you need to keep your blood sugar in check. Regular monitoring of blood glucose also needs to be done. 

Here is how diabetes is treated in Ayurveda –

• Consuming bitter foods like amla and karela (bitter gourd) is good for diabetics. 

• Eating methi water in the morning on empty stomach can lower blood sugar levels.

• Spices like cinnamon and mustard should be used in cooking as they have anti-diabetic properties.

In addition, certain lifestyle measures need to be followed –

• Eating a healthy diet with very little amounts of sugar and table salt

• Making sure to exercise on a daily basis

• Keeping a healthy body weight

• Meditation to deal with stress

Consult a doctor if you think diabetes is playing a spoilsport in your sex life.