Is Sexual Dysfunction Associated with Diabetes Control and Related Factors in Women with Diabetes?

Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate the sexual dysfunction (SD) in women with diabetes and to correlate SD with the factors related to diabetes and its control. The study was conducted in 310 non-pregnant women with diabetes, 19 years and over. Socio-demographic characteristics and other factors related to diabetes were evaluated using Participant Information Form. The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale was used to evaluate sexual function. Rate of SD was found as 46.7%. SD was frequent in sexual desire(36.8%), satisfaction from orgasm(25.5%) and orgasm(24.8%). Type of diabetes and treatment, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, BMI were not associated with SD (P > 0.05). SD increased with age, HbA(1c), high number of diabetic complications and poor education (P < 0.05). An one unit increase in HbA(1c) value caused 19.1% of dysfunction increase on sexual dysfunction, 23.2% on drive, 20.7% on satisfaction from orgasm and 17.5% on orgasm(P < 0.05). Increasing HbA(1c), number of diabetic complications and low literacy should be considered as risk factors of SD and evaluated in routine clinical care of women with diabetes.