Sexual Dysfunction Among Women with Diabetes Mellitus: A Review

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Abstract

Background: Sexual health which remains a much neglected area in clinical medicine is important for psychological and social well-being. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) which is described as a complex problem is classified as sexual desire disorders, sexual arousal disorders, orgasmic disorders and sexual pain disorders. Although the study of sexual dysfunction (SD) in diabetes mellitus (DM) is widely explored in men, there is limited literature regarding FSD and DM and it is often a neglected health issue in women.

Objective: To bring to light the importance of this neglected and under-reported complication of DM among women, highlighting the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of female sexual dysfunction.

Method: Available literature on the topic from PubMed, Google Scholar and Medline were accessed for review.

Conclusion: It is clear that women with DM are at higher risk of FSD compared with women without DM. The women with this condition should be encouraged to speak freely about their sexual difficulties with their physicians and the doctors should intentionally address the issue of sexual health when evaluating women with DM

Key words: Female, sexual dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, complication, health.