Sex. It seems like it's everywhere - TV, movies, advertising, etc. - and yet many American are still reluctant to talk to their doctor or healthcare provider about sexual issues. Which is particularly surprising in patients with diabetes, because the Journal of the American Medical Association recently (1999) found that 43% of women and 31% of men between 18 and 59 suffered from some kind of sexual dysfunction.

The common effects in women mainly include menstrual issues and vaginal lubrication problems, while men suffer impotence primarily. Both sexes can experience low insulin levels after sex and in some cases diabetes can cause a lower sex drive.
So, diabetes seems to cause sexual complications, is there any point in talking to the doctor about it? Of course!

Benefits of maintaining a healthy sex life are enormous! Burning fat, staying active and releasing endorphins, which make you happier and reduce anxiety. For men, sex releases testosterone to keep your bones and muscles strong. Sex boots the immune system and can even slow down wrinkles and aging! And it's well known that living a healthier, happier lifestyle will increase your chances of beating any (any) condition.

Okay, so you're nervous. That's understandable. Unfortunately, nurses and other healthcare providers are partly to blame. Nurses are responsible to provide information and treatment to enhance all areas involving quality of life. Unfortunately, sexual health often falls by the wayside. A recent study showed that while nurses rated in almost unanimous agreement about the importance of sexual activity, 86% said they do not give the issue sufficient attention, and 92% claim to never initiate the conversation.

What's going on here? What year is this? There results undoubtedly revealed that the communication problems stemmed from awkwardness and a lake of sex education. We must attempt to break the conservative attitude! Unfortunately, changing the curriculum in a nursing degree may be challenging, but don't be intimidated to talk to you doctor, nurse or healthcare provider about your sex life. Here are some tips:

We've already mentioned that healthcare providers understand and find sexual issues important, so no matter how you approach the discussion or how unusual it may seem, it's perfectly normal and has probably been heard many times. So your best approach is to be simple and straightforward. State upfront exactly what and how you are feeling.

e.g. "Dr. Smith, I'm a little nervous, but I have some concerns about my sex life…", or "I've heard a lot about erectile dysfunction, can we talk about it?"

Try not to dance around the issue. Your healthcare provider is busy, so make sure you are heard. If you're not satisfied, tell them! By being clear you are not only helping your nurse, doctor or healthcare provider do their job, but you're helping yourself too. Living with diabetes is difficult, so the life you deserve.

by: Darian Verwey