Sex is good, while diabetes is not. But what would you do to keep them both separate, and is it possible? Well, firstly, let’s see ways in which being diabetic can affect your sex life.

1 It might reduce your sexual desire. This symptom is common in people with type 2 diabetes. This happens as diabetes reduces testosterone levels in men, leading to loss of libido.

2 It may lead to erectile dysfunction. Diabetes can damage the nerves supplying blood to the penis, thereby preventing proper blood flow, which in turn leads to erectile dysfunction. As per records, 35% to 75% of men who have diabetes also suffer from ED at some point in their lives. Also, erectile dysfunction is so prevalent in men who have diabetes that, in many cases, diabetes gets diagnosed for the first time when a man seeks treatment for ED.

3 Diabetes also leads to a dryer vagina in women. If your partner has diabetes, it’s more likely that it is going to damage the blood vessels in her vagina, leading to a dryer vagina. This lack of lubrication can make sex very painful, thereby affecting your sex life in a big way.

4 Diabetes sometimes also becomes the cause of a mental health condition which doctors refer to as diabetes stress. Although symptoms might not be severe enough, they can definitely affect a person’s personal life, including sex life.

So does it mean if you have diabetes, then it will ruin your sex life? Well, definitely not. There are many ways in which you can still enjoy a satisfying sex life with diabetes.

Here are some ways to spur up your sex life if you have diabetes.

1 Keep a kit handy:

Keeping a kit handy beside the bed, will help put your fears regarding low or high glucose levels at bay. The kit can include a box of juice, test kit, lubricants, and glucose tablets. You can always check your glucose levels just after sex, to ensure it has neither spiked nor lowered.

2 Communicate:

Fear or stress is one of the biggest killers of your sex life. Let not depression or anxiety from diabetes affect your sex life in any way. Stress and anxiety in between sheets can kill your sex life right away. If things are bothering you, consider speaking to your partner or even go for counselling, which will help you talk about your problems and fears and find solutions to the same. Practicing meditation and yoga also helps to keep stress away.

3 Take help:

If you have erectile dysfunction then there are many supporting devices like constriction band or vacuum pump, which will help with erection. Also, it is essential to keep in mind that sex is not all about intercourse, so you can enjoy some passionate moments with your partner even without intercourse by exploring each other’s body or satisfying her through external stimulation.

4 Try new things:

If a low sex drive is what is bothering your sex life, then watching an erotic movie together or trying new positions or even making out at a different place will help bring that spark back into your sex life.

5 Lubricants:

If your partner has diabetes and suffering from vaginal dryness, then help her with using a lubricant. This will not only arouse her but also make sexual intercourse much less painful for her and more pleasurable for both of you.

6 Invest in a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM):

Using a CGM during sex helps to keep track of your blood sugar levels during sexual activity, thereby keeping you at peace of mind. But even if you don’t have one, it’s not a big deal because you can always check the levels using a testing kit after the intercourse, even discreetly.