Type 2 Diabetes Management

Peripheral Neuropathy and Sex

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Lu Young RN

Poor blood glucose control can wreck your sex life.  To maintain a healthy sex life, your nerves need be healthy.  Peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes doesn’t have to kill your sex life if your blood glucose is kept under control.

Good sexual functioning depends on good blood flow and the ability to not only perceive sensations, but to have the organs and tissues respond to these sensations. When your blood sugar is high, cells cannot function properly and nerve endings become damaged.

These changes can affect your sex life, too. Nerve damage can result in decreased sensation in the genitals, which makes it more difficult to become aroused when touched or stroked. Impaired blood flow commonly causes erectile dysfunction in men.

Maintaining very careful control of your blood sugar can prevent damage, but requires close attention to food choices, avoidance of sugar and simple carbohydrates, portion control and complete compliance with diabetic medications. The damage to your sex life can sneak up on you, but it’s very disheartening when it happens. Prevention is key.

If you have diabetes, be sure to take care of your:

1. Arteries. Keep your arteries healthy by eliminating trans fats from your diet. High blood pressure also decreases the availability of blood to the tissues because the arteries tend to tighten up. Watch your salt intake and take five to 10 minutes each day to practice some quiet relaxation or meditation. These are proven ways to protect against high blood pressure.

2. Nerves. Diabetes and chronically elevated blood sugar are the biggest culprits in nerve damage. People with diabetes often develop neuropathy in later life if they have not kept their blood sugar under control.

3. Tissues. Our bodies are designed to be in motion and be put to use. Yet our modern lifestyle allows for the opportunity to sit on our behind for most of the day, decreasing blood flow to our legs and genitals.

People who have sex at least once a week have a better chance of keeping their sexual functioning as they get older because they are encouraging regular bursts of blood flow to the area.

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The tips given in this article are excellent.  Perhaps, the best tip is blood pressure control.  One of best way to reduce and control blood pressure is exercise and diet, though relaxation with meditation is excellent.  Yoga and Tai Chi are also great for reducing blood pressure.