Diabetes and Sex Drive

[Blondybear94]

Hi everyone im a bit embarassed to post about this but i dont know anyone else who might be able to advise me, i was diagnosed back in february with type 2 diabetes and i have been taking metformin ever since with the dosage being increased every 3 months and ive recently started taking a daily slow release insulin injection. I started noticing symptoms around the middle of last year but it took so long to get an appointment and to have the necessary tests done. one symptom that I have been experiencing is an extremely low sex drive and it been this way for over a year now, my doctor told me it was normal and it would sort itself out but as of now it is no better. Im really worried as its putting a slight strain on my relationship as we went from being intimate several times a week to barely once a fortnight. I was wondering if anyone had any advice about this?

thank you for taking the time to read

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Blondybear94 🙂 No need to be embarrassed. There are others here who’ve suffered similar issues. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and you’re being very sensible by checking with your doctor and by asking here🙂

High and/or fluctuating blood sugars can affect your libido. Can I ask what kind of blood sugar results you’re getting?

 

[EmmaL76]

Have you been particularly stressed about your diabetes ? Could this of had an impact on your mental health? Feeling low about things can often have a knock on effect on libido. Make sure you keep talking to your partner, explain that you want to be the “old you” but your struggling at the minute. Sometimes the other half can feel rejected but the fact that you are here talking about a subject that is quite sensitive (well done for that by the way) means that you care deeply about your relationship.

 

[Maca44]

My sex drive has decreased since diagnosis and even now I'm off meds and feel great, not sure what's going on but my age might be a factor never really thought too much into it maybe as my body confidence grows other things might 🙂 .

 

[rebrascora]

I see that you are just 26yrs old but you have been diagnosed as Type 2? Could you tell us a bit about how your diagnosis came about and what if any symptoms you had? I am just wondering if you may have been misdiagnosed and are actually Type 1. Getting the right diagnosis, means getting the right treatment.

If your BG levels are high and have been persistently high for over a year, that can make you feel pretty rotten in general and it certainly can affect libido. Can you tell us the sort of BG readings you are getting? I hope you are testing now that you are on insulin??