How does living with type 1 diabetes impact women’s sexual activity, relationships and emotions?
Many people feel awkward talking about sex, or problems related to sex. So, in this blog we aim to lessen the taboo of talking about sex and sexual problems in diabetes. We recap a study led by Rahab Hashim about the experiences of women with diabetes.
About the study
This interview study explored the impact of type 1 diabetes on women’s sexual activity, relationships and emotions. The study included 18 women in the UK, aged 22 to 49, who had lived with type 1 diabetes for 2 to 40 years. All used a sensor to monitor their glucose levels. Seven used an insulin pump and 11 injected insulin. All were sexually active, and 10 were in a relationship. All had worries about, or difficulties with, sex.
What did they find?
The study found 5 areas where women experienced sex-related problems:
1. Initiation of sex: 3 diabetes-related factors were said to affect whether and when women expressed interest in sex. These were:
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- Worries about glucose levels. Both ‘hyper’ (high) and ‘hypo’ (low) glucose levels had an impact. Women spoke about needing to check whether their glucose levels were trending up and down, and think about what impact sex would have on them. Physical and emotional symptoms of highs and lows also had an impact.
- Body image. Women felt self-conscious about their bodies due to their diabetes. Visible signs of diabetes (e.g. at injection sites, or wearable technology) contributed to these feelings.
- Internalised stigma. Women worried about telling new people about their diabetes, and feared being judged.
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2. Sexual confidence: self-esteem and body image concerns not only impacted initiation of sex. They also affected women’s confidence during sex.
3. Sexual enjoyment: women raised physical side-effects of diabetes which affected their enjoyment of sex. These included recurrent thrush or bladder infections, and dryness in their mouth or vagina. Hypos during or after sex, and glucose sensor alarms, also lowered enjoyment.
4. Sexual engagement: physical interactions during sex were impacted by diabetes technology. For example, a pump, sensor or canular getting in the way or dislodged. Glucose levels, especially hypos, also had physical and emotional impacts during sex. Symptoms such as sweating affected self-confidence and caused stress. The need to stop sex to treat a hypo led to disappointment for the woman and their sexual partner.
5. Sexual desire: diabetes was seen to impact women’s willingness to initiate or take part in sex. Tiredness and mood swings can be symptoms of fluctuating glucose levels, and were seen to contribute to low desire for sex. Diabetes complications were also thought to possibly affect desire. For some, lack of desire led to avoidance of sex. Others felt they needed to continue engaging in sex for their partner’s enjoyment. Lack of desire was a cause of worry for some women.
How is this study helpful?
This study helps us to better understand the physical and emotional factors impacting the sex lives of women with type 1 diabetes. Many factors—like glucose levels, diabetes technology, stress—can play a role in sexual function. These factors can affect women’s ongoing and new sexual relationships.
Researchers call for greater consideration of sexual health in diabetes care. Sexual health is an important part of overall wellbeing, but is often overlooked. Talking about these issues can lead to better understanding, care, and quality of life.
Want to know more about sex and diabetes?
Check out our research from Diabetes MILES. Diabetes MILES Flanders found that 1 in 3 men and women with diabetes experience sex-related problems (also called sexual dysfunction). Women most commonly had lower desire for sex and problems with lubrication and orgasm. Men most commonly had problems with erection and ejaculation.
Diabetes MILES Australia found that people experiencing sexual dysfunction were also more likely to have depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, or diabetes distress.
Reference
Hashim R, Forde R, Parsons J, Ausili D, Forbes A. Qualitative study exploring the experiences of sexual dysfunction in premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes. Diabetic Medicine. 2025;42(1):e15439.
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