The differential impact of diabetes type on female sexuality

Abstract

Although diabetes is associated with a high prevalence of erectile impairment in men, its effect on the sexuality of women remains unclear. Since diabetes consists of different disorders, diabetes type may have confounded previous studies by differentially impacting on sexual functioning and marital satisfaction. To evaluate this possibility, 35 Type I diabetic married women were compared with 42 healthy married controls and 23 Type II diabetic women with 23 controls. Assessments were made on all aspects of sexual response, activity, dysfunction and satisfaction; on cognitive and psychological dimensions of sexuality; and on marital adjustment. Results indicated that diabetes type is highly associated with sexual responsiveness and marital satisfaction. Type I diabetes was found to have little or no effect on women, while Type II diabetes had a pervasively negative impact on sexual desire, orgasmic capacity, lubrication, sexual satisfaction, sexual activity, and on the relationship with the sexual partner.