Diabetes and male sexual health: an unmet challenge

Abstract

Objective: to explore the self-reported medical and psychological factors associated with sexual health for men with diabetes.

Research Design and Methods: an online survey was distributed via social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and remained open for four weeks. The survey contained 45 items including free text response questions so that participants could provide further detail to their responses if desired, including the 20-item validated diabetes-related sexual complications items [xx] (see supplementary material for full survey). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS.24 with content and thematic analyses conducted on free text responses.

Results: 100 participants completed the survey, aged 20-73 years (mean 45.4 years) with a diabetes duration of 1-62 years (mean 23.07 years), 90% had type 1 diabetes. 49% reported diabetes had led to a loss of self-esteem, 62% said it had a negative effect on relationships with a partner, 41% felt less attractive and 46% reported it had led to loneliness. Free text responses reflect depth of feeling and considerable negative psychosocial impact of diabetes and associated sexual health issues. Erectile dysfunction was common (66%) however over a third of those participants had not sought help (42%). Oral medications removed spontaneity for half of participants (n=58) who had taken it (n=29).

Conclusions: sexual health issues continue to pose challenges for men with diabetes both medically and psychologically. The psychosocial aspects of diabetes and sexuality, including feeling unattractive both physically and emotionally are widely reported by participants, demonstrating the damaging and distressing personal consequences.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Claire Reidy: orcid.org/0000-0002-0013-6843

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