How High Blood Sugar Levels Affect Your Sex Life!

Neuropathy, or nerve disease, is a word those with type 2 diabetes become familiar with.  It is one of the long-term complications that comes about in diabetes, especially when blood sugar levels are not controlled. 
Now let's look at just what this is and how it affects your body, including your sexual function.
What has been found is the part of the nerve, the axon, which connects to other nerves or muscles, degenerates.  It is thought this is due to:

• a cut-off in the blood supply to the nerve or, in some cases
• the result of chemical toxins produced by the metabolism of too much sugar

Diabetic neuropathy results when blood glucose levels are high for long periods.  Usually, when blood sugars are brought down to normal, the signs and symptoms improve and hopefully the nerve issue disappears.
There are several disorders of the nervous system, today let's look at those affecting the autonomic nerves.  These control muscles we do not have to think about, for example those involved in:

• the digestive system, passing urine and emptying your bladder, sexual function,
• your heart and blood vessels, your sweat glands and eyes.

The function of these are under the control of nerves from our brain and diabetic neuropathy affects them all.
One of the disorders of autonomic nerves includes sexual dysfunction:

• 50% of males with diabetes have erectile dysfunction
• 30% of females have problems with vaginal lubrication for intercourse

For the male:  Erectile dysfunction is determined by:

• how good you control your blood sugar levels
• how long you have had diabetes
• a positive relationship with your partner
• drugs and alcohol may also prevent erection
• the state of your mind

And for the ladies:  The problems can be difficult for a woman also:

• you may have a dry mouth and vagina because of your high blood sugars
• when your diabetes is not controlled it also affects your menstrual cycle
• yeast infections (thrush) may also develop

As with all problems associated with type 2 diabetes, control of your blood sugar levels prevents or slows down many of these complications.

It is very reassuring to know there is a range of possible treatments to help you enjoy a more satisfying sex life. Your health care provider should be able to help you choose the most suitable approach, which may be as simple as losing weight and reducing your blood sugar levels by increasing physical activity and following a low-GI carbohydrate diet.
The more information you have on type 2 diabetes the more you are able to take care of yourself. If you would like a copy of my free E-Book click here now to download: Answers to Your Questions
Beverleigh Piepers is a registered nurse who would like to help you understand how to live easily and happily with your Type 2 Diabetes. http://drugfreetype2diabetes.com