DIABETES AND FEMALE SEXUALITY

In contrast with research regarding the effects of diabetes on male se xuality our understanding of how diabetes affects a woman's sexuality is minimal, Little progress has been accomplished in the past 30 years . Both the etiology and prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with diabetes are equally unclear. Understanding the effects that diabetes may-have an a woman's sexual health, including her menstrual cycle, p regnancy, contraceptive issues, fertility and sexual dysfunction in ad ulthood, is a challenging endeavor This review addresses some of the a spects of a woman's sexuality that can directly or indirectly affect s exual functioning in her adult life. Research to identify the impact o f diabetes on sexual dysfunction in women has been fraught with method ological problems, Most studies are descriptive, poorly controlled, an d lack objective data collection, making definitive conclusions regard ing cause and effect extremely difficult. A review of the current avai lable published evidence for and possible causes of sexual dysfunction in the literature is provided.