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Sexual Problems with type 2 diabetes

I have type 2 Diabetes diagnosed 18 months ago. Prior to developing Diabetes I was always a sexually active man and woke up every morning with an erection. Since developing Diabetes I have when my glucose level is high, found it almost impossible to develop or attain an erection, but all is not lost, I find this a good indicator that I have been overindulging in my calories, overhauling my diet and bringing my glucose level down results in a return of those sexual urges and a return to those well known conditions and feelings first thing in the morning.
 
I'm female. When I was diagnosed T2 about 11 years ago I went through a period of depression and my desires of all kinds went haywire. Could your boyfriend be a bit depressed about his diagnosis? Could he have any other health problems that haven't been diagnosed yet? Are any of his other desires affected? I found it especially hard to enjoy food and other likes/things that could be classified as desires. The mind is very powerful, much more than we realise. I had a course of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and found it useful. It helped me get things generally in perspective and my desires started to come back. I still have a problem with sex, but I do have several other health problems that interfere with libido. Fortunately I have a very supportive wonderful partner who understands it's difficult for me. He's not demanding in the sex department and generally I don't know what I'd do without him. Do get your boyfriend to see his GP and Diabetes Specialist Nurse. Get them to test for other problems, eg Thyroid, Anaemia. And don't be embarassed. They have heard it all before.
 
What is ciallis
 
mackydog10 said:
Ummm, wot about us women?
Does any one else female find their libido waining?
Id love to know, so i dont feel alone! :wink:
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I dont have a libido at all and havent had for about 3 years its hard but my other half and i know about it and we try and work around it all the time. Wish we could get viagra too ...
 

@meme

I thought I'd chime in. Diagnosed T2DM 3 years ago, its been for me a learning curve. I did suffer from ED prior to my diagnosis but I lived with the condition. Then the T2DM diagnosis came along and what's really motivated me is the neuropathy in my feet. So I've been a fiend for getting healthier.

I discovered (I live in the US) Geoff Whitington and his tale http://www.fixingdad.com/watch-the-film and that docu-drama has inspired my game plan to get more exercise and better health. Last month I cycled 630 miles. What I am noticing now I feel like a 20 year old and my libido is thru the roof. Its put a spring in our family all over again. Everything is working much better these days..
 
Wow, amazingly informative everyone!

I know something is wrong and you're all right, I ought to man up and speak to the Dr about my problem
 
wookie101 said:
Wow, amazingly informative everyone!

I know something is wrong and you're all right, I ought to man up and speak to the Dr about my problem
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They hear it everyday, it's no big deal... Speak to the doc, they will help....

You would be surprised how many of normal folks everyday health issues affect doctors too...
 
This happened to a friends husband. He went to the doctors, got told he couldnt get viagra on the NHS, and left holding a prescription. When he got home and read the info, they were antidepressants!!!

Friend and hubby went straight back and complained to the surgery manager, and got to see another doctor, where hubby was sent for a raft of blood tests to rule out anything else. All was fine and normal, but dont rule out any cause other than diabetes, get things checked. Lots of illnesses can cause ED.

Friend and hubby havent got any further with any treatment for hubby, but its early days yet. But the surgery were not helpful.
 

From "NHS Choices" :
Yes, medication for erectile dysfunction (ED) is available on the NHS. It's available on prescription from GPs and specialists.

There were restrictions on who could have these treatments on the NHS until 2014, but some of these restrictions have since been lifted as cheaper medicines became available.

ED medicines available on the NHS
The following medications for ED can be prescribed on the NHS:

  • sildenafil (an unbrandedversion of Viagra)
  • moxisylyte hydrochloride (Opilon)
  • apomorphine hydrochloride
Of these, sildenafil is the most widely available on the NHS in England.

Branded Viagra, tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra) and avanafil (Spedra) aren't available on the NHS except in certain circumstances.
 
How can you deal with problems with husband's labido if he won't even talk to you about it, let alone go to see the doctor?
 
miahara said:
Branded Viagra, tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra) and avanafil (Spedra) aren't available on the NHS except in certain circumstances.
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Just for info, branded Cialis is certainly available on the NHS - I have it on my repeat prescription and have had for several years. I spoke to my GP about the issue and he issued the prescription.

That said, I've had unbranded Tadalafil which I used to buy and it was the same - generic meds are fine. Most on my diabetes meds are now unbranded. If it works and saves money then I'm ok with it.
 
Interesting. My friend is in Wales and her husbands doctor said he could only issue a private prescription for Cialis, and nothing else.
 
serenity648 said:
Interesting. My friend is in Wales and her husbands doctor said he could only issue a private prescription for Cialis, and nothing else.
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Hmmm, I wonder if it's an NHS Wales thing perhaps? I was offered both Cialis & Viagra...

S
 
I have Cialis on prescription, and was told I could have it because my type 2 is a 'blood related problem'. I rarely use it, because it's not me that's lost libido! (sigh)
 
If "Diabetes can damage the blood vessels and make erection impossible.", does that mean Viagra or others will not work ?
 
Has your boyfriend had his testosterone levels checked? If his testosterone levels are on the low side this will affect his libido.
 
A weight-control strategy might include:--
  • Choosing low-fat, low-calorie foods
  • Eating smaller portions
  • Drinking water instead of sugary drinks
  • Being physically active
Here are some other ways that alcohol can affect diabetes:--
* While moderate amounts of alcohol can cause blood sugar to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level -- sometimes causing it to drop into
dangerous levels.
* Beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates and may raise blood sugar.
* Alcohol stimulates your appetite, which can cause you to overeat and may affect your blood sugar control.
* Alcohol can interfere with the positive effects of oral diabetes medicines or insulin.
* Alcohol may increase triglyceride levels.
* Alcohol may increase blood pressure.
* Alcohol can cause flushing, nausea, increased heart rate, and slurred speech.
Low libido, or sexual desire, is a real problem, one that affects people withdiabetes more than those without. Men and women experience low libido as a result of poorly controlled diabetes. If your sex drive is stalled, first look to yourdiabetes control and take steps to lower your blood glucose levels.
Source:--
https://medlineplus.gov/weightcontrol.html
https://www.google.co.in/?gws_rd=ssl#q=diabetes+and+decreased+libido
 
MeMe I think cracker has probably hit the nail on the head
. My first thought also was low Testosterone which invariably means a problem with the Pituitary producing too much Prolactin.
Prolactin is a hormone that regulates Testosterone production. To higher production of Prolactin cuts Testosterone production and this is freqently caused by a benigh tumour on the Pituitary.

I had had non existant libido for 15 years amongst other syptoms but my Doctor ignored this. Ultimately I collapsed with a BS level of 38mmol/L and was diagnosed T2 Diabetic but I insisted on seeing an Endo who tested my Testosterone levels which were 2nmol/L ! reference range 6-25.7 nmol/L
Turns out I have a Macro Prolactinoma (benigh tumour) on my Pituitary ,probably for many years.
Don't let your low libido , fatigue, depression, stress anxiety and other symptoms ruin your relationship and life , insist on a Testosterone and Prolactin blood test to eliminate a Pituitary problem.

If it turns out to be the Pituitary don't worry . 99.9% of pituitary tumours are benigh and can be successfully reversed with Gabergoline treatment which shrinks the tumour and restores Testosterone levels. Also there are several testosterone boosting treatments available also
 
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Some antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs cause increased prolactin
 
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