Type 2 diabetes can be a 'devastating diagnosis' says expert
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Diabetes is a serious condition that increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But it’s not always easy to know if you’re at risk of high blood sugar, as the symptoms don’t necessarily make you feel unwell.
About nine in every 10 diabetes cases are caused by type 2 diabetes.
The condition is caused by the body not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the body not reacting to insulin.
Insulin is needed to convert sugar in the blood into energy.
But because diabetes is so difficult to diagnose, there are roughly 850,000 people living in the UK with undiagnosed diabetes.
One of the more “unusual” signs of diabetes is sexual dysfunction, warned medical website Healthline.
Men might develop erectile dysfunction, which makes it difficult to maintain an erection.
Women, on the other hand, might have low arousal or poor lubrication, it said.
Diabetes might lead to sexual dysfunction because high blood sugar could damage the nerves around the genitals.
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“Early diabetes symptoms aren’t the same for everyone,” it said. “Some people develop tell-tale signs of the condition, whereas others experience rare symptoms.
“Erectile dysfunction is [a] possible symptom of diabetes. This typically affects males with type 2 diabetes, making it difficult for them to achieve an erection.
“Sexual problems occur when high blood sugar damages nerves and the blood vessels that carry blood to the penis.
“Sexual dysfunction can also occur in women, resulting in low arousal and poor lubrication. However, research on sexual issues related to diabetes in women is less conclusive than men.”
But, just because you develop sexual dysfunction, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have diabetes.
Erectile dysfunction, for example, could be caused by numerous different lifestyle factors, including stress or tiredness.
You should, however, speak to a doctor if your sexual dysfunction keeps happening.
There are some treatments available, including hormone replacement and medication.
It’s also vital that you speak to a doctor if you think you might have diabetes.
Left untreated, high blood sugar increases the risk of some deadly complications.
It could lead to kidney problems, nerve damage, and even heart attacks.
About five million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes.
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