Diabetes plays spoilsport with sex lives of older adults--study
POSTED August 28, 2010 - 10:51 | POSTED BY Jasmine
Last edited by Silky Chandvani on August 28, 2010 - 11:49
Men with diabetes are also at the higher risk of suffering from lack of sexual appetite and erectile dysfunction.
The study researcher Stacy Lindau, MD, associate professor obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago Medical Center, said in a press statement:
"Patients and doctors need to know that most middle age and older adults with partners are still sexually active despite their diabetes. However, many people with diabetes have sexual problems that are not being addressed."
The research study results were published online in advance in the September issue of journal “Diabetes Care.”
Details of research conducted
Chicago researchers surveyed 1,993 people between the ages 57-85 years. Researchers noted that 70 percent men and 62 percent women, who have diabetes and partners, engage in sexual activity at least two-three times in a month.
However, both men and women suffering from diabetes reported higher rate of orgasm related problems like not being able to climax (both) or climaxing too soon (men only).
Study also noted that as compared to 19 percent of women with diabetes, 47 percent of diabetic men are ready to discuss their sexual problems with their physician.
Researchers also found out that half of women in this age group do not have a sexual partner and diabetic women are less likely to even actively look for one.
"Nearly half of the women in this age group do not have a partner. Women with diabetes are far less likely than women without diabetes to have a partner.
Those who have partners were more likely than men to avoid sex because of a problem, and were far less likely than men to discuss a sexual problem with their doctors," revealed Lindau.
Need to discuss it with doctor
Senior author of the research study and a professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, Dr. Marshall Chin, believes that patients (especially women) should come forward and discuss these problems with their physicians in order to get help.
"Failure to recognize and address sexual issues among middle-age and older adults with diabetes may impair quality of life and adaptation to the disease.
Sexual problems are common in patients with diabetes, and many patients are not discussing these issues with their physicians,” said Chin.
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