Sexual Dysfunction and Diabetes

Is there a correlation?

 

Diabetic nerve damage and blood vessel damage resulting from high blood sugar can lead to sexual dysfunction in both men and women.  Many medical professional most often associate sexual dysfunction and diabetes with erectile dysfunction/ impotence, but the problem quite often persist in women as well.  Although there are many other factors that play a role in sexual dysfunction, studies have shown a direct correlation between diabetic men and women and sexual dysfunction.  The blood vessels damaged by diabetes control erection in men and the nerves damaged by diabetes prevent women from achieving an orgasm. 

 

According to an article found on mdlinx.com, published in The Journal ofSexual Medicine, female sexual dysfunction is more frequent in diabetic women.  Women may experience symptoms such as: lack of interest in sexual relations, no sensation in the genital area, or pain and discomfort during sex due to dryness in the vaginal area. 

 

On average more than 50% of diabetic men over age 50 and 90% of men over age 70 will experience a degree of erectile dysfunction or impotence. 

Although this is a serious issue that many diabetics are forced to cope with, there are many ways to help reduce the risk of sexual dysfunction.  Always check with your doctor for the safest options. 

 

Tips to lower you risk of sexual dysfunction

• Control blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Exercise or engage in some type of physical activity that helps maintain healthy weight
• If you are a smoker, QUIT
• Vacuum constriction devices (VCDs)
• Ask your doctor about other treatment options, such as Cialis

 

 

Hormonal contraception increases risk of HIV acquisition and transmission

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle and funded by the NIH and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation showed that women who use hormonal contraception (especially injectable hormones) have an increase risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV.  The study involved 3790 heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant couples in 7 African countries.  Of 1314 couples in which the female partner was HIV-negative, HIV-1 was acquired at a rate of 6.61 and 3.78 per 100 person-years in hormonal contraception users and non-users, respectively (HR = 1.98).  Of 2476 couples in which the male parter was HIV-negative, HIV-1 was transmitted at a rate of 2.61 and 1.51 per 100 person-years in hormonal contraception users and non-users, respectively (HR = 1.97). 

Hyperglycemia in patients with T2DM and ischemic stroke

Diabetics have a 2-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke.  Hyperglycemia occurs in up to 40% of patients with T2DM at the time of admission with an ischemic stroke, and is associated with a poor functional outcome.  It remains uncertain if normalizing blood glucose levels improves outcome.

Statins increase risk of DM in postmenopausal women

As published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, postmenopausal women who use statins are at increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus (HR=1.71).  The observational study involved 153,840 women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative, 7.04% of whom used statins at baseline. 

Fenofibrate superior to O3FA in treatment of hypertriglyceridemia

As published in Atherosclerosis, researchers at Gachon University Gil Hospital (Incheon, ROK) have reported that fenofibrate has superior lipoprotein and metabolic effects compared to omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.  The study involved 50 patients each in 3 arms:  placebo; O3FA (2 g qd x 2 mos); and fenofibrate (160 mg qd x 2 mos).  The patients who received O3FA had a 21% decrease in triglycerides and improved flow-mediated dilation, but no change in insulin or adiponectin levels.  The patients who received fenofibrate had a 29% decrease in tryglycerides, improved flow-mediated dilation, decreased fasting insulin levels, increased adiponectin levels, and improved insulin sensitivty.

Elevated adiponectin is a risk factor for dementia

In a prospective cohort study involving 840 participants in the Framingham Heart Study (median age, 76 years) who were followed for 13 years, researchers at Tufts and Boston Universities reported that 159 participants developed dementia.  Amongst biomarkers for insulin resistance and inflammation, only elevated adiponectin levels in women was associated with all-cause dementia (HR=1.63).

Bisphosphates decrease risk of stroke

In a study involving 2148 patients on bisphosphonate therapy and 6444 matched patients with osteoporotic fractures who were followed for 2 years, the risk of stroke was significantly reduced in the former group (8.6% vs. 10.8% [HR=.79]).  Bisphosphonate users had a 0.53- and 0.81-fold risk of subarachnoid and ischemic strokes, respectively, compared to non-users.