Diabetes and Love Life

Avatar for stephsmom98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Diabetes and Love Life
5
Wed, 02-20-2008 - 6:27pm

Hi again:


I have another concern - my love life. I could care less about it and I'm only 46. Actually, I do care, but my body doesn't. I am too young for this, well, it is never good, and I am mourning the loss of excitement and my body not doing what it should. I had diabetes since April last year, well, I mean I found out then, and although it was 9.9 then, it is 6.0 and under control now. I take no medicine right now for lowering my blood sugar, but I do take meds for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I also had my ovaries taken out a year before the diagnoses so I am in menopause. I am taking estrogen, but it isn't doing any good except controlling heat flashes. Is there anything I can do to make things more exciting. I get dry and then don't care. Things don't feel right. I must say though, that I get into more during the day, but I have a 9 year old daughter at home so so much for that. I guess diabetes tires you out more because I feel forever tired by night time. Thanks for advice, input and encouragement.


 


Debbie

Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 02-20-2008 - 7:51pm

Debbie, I think you are on the wrong board!!!


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Thu, 02-21-2008 - 12:42pm

Blood pressure medication can affect libido. Hormonal stuff can affect libido. Adjusting to diabetes can affect libido (in various ways including feeling stressed over the diagnosis) - though if your blood sugar is coming around into stable and you're eating properly and getting exercise that can rebound nicely. You might also have your endocrinologist or other medical caregiver check your thyroid function - low thyroid can cause you to feel super exhausted (BTDT). I've got a 9 1/2 yr old son at home and I WOH fulltime (hubby is at home full time with DS). Hormones can also affect lubrication levels so you might consider both adding a lubricant to the situation and spending more time just snuggling, nuzzling, neckin' like teenagers and see where it leads. And, too, there are times when I just don't have the energy for full out intercourse but manually playing with and saitsfying my hubby works (and often just getting into that leads to other things unplanned for...)

--Deb

Avatar for stephsmom98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Fri, 02-22-2008 - 10:26am

Thanks for the advice. I know menopause has its effect, but I thought the diabetes does too and worse. I will go over to that board though. We tried lupricant, but my husband doesn't like it. But I do need it so he'll have to adjust. I just lost feelings in that area and I figured it to be the diabetes causing nerve problems there. That is true for diabetics isn't it? I just don't feel right; it isn't just the dryness. Thanks so much. I can bring it up to the doctor when I see her as well.


Debbie

Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 02-22-2008 - 10:32am
Remember I am not a medical person but I thought it was mostly erectial dysfunction in men that diabetes caused.

Avatar for stephsmom98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Fri, 02-22-2008 - 11:27am
Thanks Cheryl. I'll go over there. I just thought with the nerve damage with diabetes, that it would affect there as well. But if not, that's great.
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie