Female sexual dysfunction
Emotional impact
Women with diabetes often experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and loss of attractiveness. Such emotions can develop from concerns over being diagnosed with diabetes, weight gain, injection-site disfigurement or lack of understanding from a partner.
Your emotions
These feelings can in turn result in self-blame, shame, guilt and embarrassment which often prevent women discussing their sexual problems with healthcare professionals or, indeed, anyone.
Letters from women with FSD to Diabetes UK Careline and to our members' magazine Balance often bear out the tendency towards such feelings and the negative impact that their FSD is having on their relationship.
This is why it is important to try and talk openly to your partner (if you have one) when you are experiencing these emotions. Rather than suffering alone, talking as a team may help solve some of the problems.
Try to make time for yourself and also your partner. It is important to find ways of being sensual as a couple, without any expectations of sex. You might enjoy a bath together, for example, or experiment with gentle touching in a safe, loving environment.
Let your doctor or nurse know how you are feeling. If you are anxious, embarrassed or don’t know which words to use, write down what you need to say and take it with you. This can help both the healthcare professional and you to get the consultation under way. Your doctor will be able to refer you, if necessary, to someone trained in this speciality.