Up to
50% of men and 25% of women may experience some
kind of sexual problems or a loss of sexual
desire as a result of diabetes.
For men, diabetes can cause damage to the
nervous system over a sustained period of time,
also known as diabetic neuropathy. One aspect of
this is the potential for diabetes to damage the
erectile tissue leaving it impossible for a man
to achieve or maintain an erection.
Almost 1 in 3 men with diabetes suffer from
erectile dysfunction. |
A
sexual problem, or sexual dysfunction, refers to
a problem during any phase of the sexual
response cycle that prevents the individual or
couple from experiencing satisfaction from the
sexual activity. The sexual response cycle has
four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and
resolution.
While research suggests that sexual dysfunction
is common (43% of women and 31% of men report
some degree of difficulty), it is a topic that
many people are hesitant to discuss.
Fortunately, most cases of sexual dysfunction
are treatable, so it is important to share your
concerns with your partner and doctor. |
Many
cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension
and peripheral vascular disease, involve changes
to the small blood vessels that supply areas of
the body away from the heart, such as the legs,
feet and genitals. Poor blood flow to the penis
or vagina can impact a person’s ability to
become aroused and engage in sexual intercourse.
Some studies suggest that 30 percent to 50
percent of cases of erectile dysfunction (the
inability to achieve or maintain an erection
suitable for intercourse) are the result of
blood vessel disease.
Further, any medical condition that causes a
general feeling of weakness and disability has
the potential to decrease sexual desire and
performance. |
Did
you know that stress can also affect your sex
life? If ignored, stress can completely derail
your libido and sexual response. To figure out
how to combat stress, you first have to
understand the purpose of stress — and there is
a very good one! For early humankind, stress was
a lifesaver. When our ancestors were in danger,
stress ignited the fight-or-flight response,
which helped keep them safe from threats such as
wild animals.
In modern times, however, stress is generally
the result of having too much to do and too
little time to do it in, problems at work, and
struggles within families. |