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News
Sexual dysfunction affects up to 70% of people with diabetes, yet it rarely comes up in the clinic. From erectile dysfunction to vaginal dryness, these complications stem from vascular and nerve damage — and can even signal broader cardiovascular disease. A new awareness campaign and updated clinical guidelines are pushing for sexual health to become a routine part of diabetes care.
Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common — and most overlooked — complications of diabetes. Up to 70% of men with type 2 diabetes experience erectile dysfunction (ED), and women with diabetes face significantly higher rates of vaginal dryness, reduced arousal, pain during intercourse, and recurrent genitourinary infections compared to those without the condition. The root causes are largely vascular and neurological: chronically elevated blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves critical to sexual response. Importantly, ED can appear years before other cardiovascular complications, making it a valuable early warning sign.
Despite the prevalence, the topic remains largely taboo. Clinicians often skip it due to time constraints or lack of training, while patients stay silent out of embarrassment. The French Federation of Diabetics has launched a public awareness campaign to break this silence, and the 2026 ADA Standards of Care now explicitly call for routine sexual health screening in both men and women with diabetes.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Sexual health directly affects quality of life, relationship dynamics, and even adherence to diabetes self-management. Integrating routine sexual health conversations into diabetes care could lead to earlier detection of vascular disease and meaningfully better outcomes for millions of patients.
