Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases that is rapidly increasing worldwide and is seen in all countries. Although DM is classified in various ways, it is most commonly classified as type 1, type 2 and gestational DM
In industrialized countries, DM is caused by individual factors such as obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), lack of physical activity and increased calorie consumption, as well as some environmental factors. causes an increase in the incidence. These factors are seen as risk factors for the development of type 2 DM in both men and women and at all ages. Diabetes is the cause of death for one in every 6 adult women and one in every 5 adult men in the USA, and is also the most common cause of death in developed countries.
Diabetes causes damage to the vascular system and nervous system, causing this fatal effect. Patients with diabetes may also experience varying degrees of sexual dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction, most commonly defined as erectile dysfunction, can be seen in men. Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain penile erection for a successful sexual intercourse and leads to a deterioration in the man's quality of life. The frequency of erectile dysfunction, that is, erectile dysfunction, is 1-10% in men under the age of 40, 2-9% between the ages of 40-49, 60-69%. It has been found to be 20-40% between the ages of 1 and 5 and 50-100% over the age of 70. Research has shown that erectile dysfunction problems are 3 times more common in men with diabetes. As the degree of disease and the damage caused by the disease to the vascular and nervous systems and the age of the man increase, the rate of erectile dysfunction also increases. If there are factors that increase vascular damage such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia along with diabetes, and if blood sugar regulation is not maintained well, erection problems increase.
For women, diabetes is also known to be related to sexual reluctance, vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse. The relationship between diabetes and sexual dysfunction is not as clear as in men
In diabetic women, all phases of normal physiological sexual response, such as arousal, degree of sexual excitement and orgasm, are also affected. It is known that sexual function in women is largely affected by psychological factors, however, problems are twice as common in women with diabetes compared to those without it.
According to research, sexual desire problems in diabetic women occur at a rate of 20-88%; Arousal problems can be seen in 14-76% and inability to orgasm can be seen in 10-84%. At the same time, sexual intercourse may be painful in 43% of cases.
All these problems are seen approximately twice as often in people with Type 2 Diabetes. The reason for this may be that type 2DM patients are generally older, menopause and depression are more common in this group, and other chronic diseases are more common.
In case of poor blood sugar regulation in diabetes, high blood sugar disrupts the secretions of the vaginal glands, which is called lubrication. It has been shown to reduce vaginal lubrication and cause painful intercourse. It has also been shown that genital and urinary tract infections, which increase in diabetes, are the cause of vaginal pain.
Diabetes-related vascular and nerve dysfunctions can create structural and functional changes in female genital organs and disrupt sexual response. It is also observed that in diabetic individuals, vaginal wall thickness decreases, vaginal elasticity is seriously impaired, and in this case, the rate of painful intercourse increases.
Reduction of risk factors (weight control, appropriate diet and regular exercise) are the treatment alternatives for sexual dysfunctions that are common in diabetes. ), psychotherapies and hormonal supportive treatments are offered for postmenopausal women.
Nowadays, the frequency of diabetes is increasing due to the increase in obesity. Although not life-threatening, diabetes treatment is important because sexual side effects impair quality of life.
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