As a diabetic, your blood sugar levels dictate how you feel in between the sheets. Diabetes doesn’t just damage the nerves in your eyes and toes, but can also affect several aspects of your sexual health. However, having diabetes doesn’t mean that you should stay unsatisfied or compromise on your sex life.
Although diabetes may cause some issues at a functional level especially when uncontrolled, truth is that diabetics have the same sexual appetite as healthy individuals. Good news is that once you’re aware of your symptoms that may be hindering your sex life such as erection problems, vaginal dryness or low blood sugar, you will be able to easily take your sexual performance to a whole new level. That said, here are 5 ways to help you find the right balance between your condition and sex life.
- First things first—keep your sugar levels in check – As a diabetic, your top priority should be to have optimal glycemic control meaning controlling your sugar levels at all times. This can be done in several ways including regular exercise and checkups.
- Check your sugar levels before hitting the sheets – Sugar levels especially at the time of sex tend to fluctuate, where high blood sugar levels can cause poor arousal in women and erection issues in men, and low sugar levels can make you feel lethargic. Testing your sugar levels before having sex and ensuring they are in good order could lift up your spirits and avoid any awkward moments.
- Try oral medication – Modern medicines can help cure most problems, so speak to your doctor about which one is right for your issue. There are several different oral ED drugs available today, mostly with a doctor’s prescription and some over the counter.
You can even get stiff by inhaling the fumes of some ED drugs—take for example the Viagra Ireland story that’s making headlines. Residents of Ringaskiddy, a small village near Cork, Ireland claim that the smoke from Pfizer’s Viagra factory has not only impacted men “with issues in that department” but locals even noticed dogs walking around in a state of excitement.
- Get professional help for emotional issues – Anxiety, depression and poor self image affect your sex life negatively. These sexual health issues can consequently add stress to your relationship. Getting professional help will encourage you to talk about your issues and work out the best solutions.
- Eat a healthy diet – Eating healthy will help you maintain your blood sugar levels, where the intake of processed foods should be minimal. If you do regularly indulge in processed foods, you may want to set an achievable goal to wean away from them.
Having diabetes is no fun really! While there are several things you can do to greatly reduce your risk of health issues and deteriorating sexual performance, medication for both diabetes and erectile dysfunction can help ensure you lead a good quality of life. However, if you’ve considered the aforementioned tips and medication just isn’t working for you, speak to your endocrinologist for the best advice.