Sexual Function and Sexual Quality of Life in Premenopausal Women with Controlled Type 1 and 2 Diabetes-Preliminary Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 4;18(5):2536. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052536.

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is more common in women with diabetes than in women without diabetes. The aim of the study was to determine sexual function and the level of the quality of sex life in premenopausal women with controlled, uncomplicated type 1 and type 2 diabetes taking into account the stages of the menstrual cycle and mood level. The study included 163 women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and 115 controls without diabetes. Questionnaire studies were conducted using the following surveys: Demographic and Clinical Data Survey, Female Sexual Function Index, Sexual Quality of Life-Female, and Beck Depression Inventory. Both phases of the menstrual cycle-follicular and luteal-were included. It was shown that, in women with type 1 diabetes, sexual function decreased during the luteal phase in comparison with the follicular phase (p < 0.001). In the women with type 2 diabetes and in the controls, sexual function was comparable during both phases of the cycle (p > 0.05). In the women with uncomplicated controlled type 1 diabetes, sexual function and the sexual and relationship satisfaction changed depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle with a decrease during the luteal phase. Sexual function and the quality of the sex life of premenopausal women with controlled type 2 diabetes were comparable during both the follicular and the luteal phases. Sexual function in menstruating women with controlled type 2 diabetes decreased with age and a worsening mood.

Keywords: menstrual cycle; sexual function; type 1 and 2 diabetes.

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Follicular Phase
  • Humans
  • Luteal Phase
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Quality of Life