Type 1 diabetes jeopardizes sexual health in women, study finds

Norway: Sexual dysfunction is a prevalent issue among women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and the most common challenges they face are vaginal dryness, reduced sexual desire, and pain during intercourse, says a recent study. 

The study, published in the journal Diabetic Medicine, emphasizes the importance of addressing sexual health in diabetes follow-up to provide comprehensive health services to diabetic people. 

Anne Haugstvedt, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway, and colleagues conducted the study with the objective to explore the experiences of sexual health and sexual challenges in women with type 1 diabetes. 

For this purpose, the researchers used a qualitative study design and conducted semistructured interviews with 15 women with type 1 diabtes aged 26-57 years. The recruitment was done based on the Female Sexual Function Index score that indicated sexual dysfunction. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis. 

Based on the study, three themes were generated, each with subthemes: (1) Diabetes is present at all times (subthemes: having diabetes is onerous, and diabetes affects the relationship with my partner); (2) various challenges related to sexual health (subthemes: experiencing reduced sexual desire and physical challenges, and challenges related to sexual health affect the relationship with my partner); and (3) diabetes may affect sexual function (subthemes: glucose levels and technical devices may have an impact on sexual function, and sexual health should be addressed in diabetes follow-up). 

"This qualitative study allowed women with T1D to describe the various challenges and difficulties they experienced with respect to their sexual health in their own words," the authors wrote in their study. Pain during sexual activity, vaginal dryness, and reduced sexual desire were the most common mong the sexual problems described. 

Previous studies have also reported loss of libido, lubrication and arousal, pain and problems with orgasm as the most frequent challenges related to sexual health in diabetic women, they noted. 

Reference:

Buskoven MEH, Kjørholt EKH, Strandberg RB, Søfteland E, Haugstvedt A. Sexual dysfunction in women with type 1 diabetes in Norway: A qualitative study of women's experiences. Diabet Med. 2022 Apr 23:e14856. doi: 10.1111/dme.14856. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35460298.