EASD e-Learning - Provided by leading diabetes academics

March 14, 2024 🕑 7 minutes

ESSM 2024: Breaking the silence – diabetes and couple sexual dysfunction

More than half of all men with diabetes have impaired sexual health, most commonly due to erectile dysfunction. In women with diabetes, sexual dysfunction is less prevalent, but still occurs. In a joint session of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM) at this year’s ESSM Congress in Bari, Italy, experts discussed why diabetologists should be aware of sexual health issues and address the topic when consulting their patients – both male and female.

Understanding the interplay between diabetes and sexual function is crucial for comprehensive patient care. “Most diabetologists are not aware that sexual dysfunction is one of the potential comorbidities of diabetes, but it is of paramount importance to screen for this problem,” says Professor Francesco Giorgino, Senior Vice President of the EASD and Co-Chair at the ESSM Congress 2024 in February in Bari, Italy. More than half of all men with diabetes report sexual dysfunction. Compared to men without diabetes, prevalence rates are 2 to 3 times higher and erectile dysfunction occurs 10 to 15 years earlier.

Shedding light on sexual health

The EASD/ESSM joint session focused on the pathophysiology of sexual dysfunction in patients with diabetes as well as new and developing drugs and lifestyle alterations. “In terms of male sexual dysfunction, we know that obesity is a problem,” says Giorgino – pointing out the role of new diabetes drugs that regulate body weight such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists. In addition, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, smoking cessation, stress management and limiting alcohol consumption can significantly improve sexual function.

The confluence of diabetes with obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia increases the risk of sexual dysfunction. In women, the association with diabetes is less definitive, though higher prevalence rates have been reported. Here, psychological and social factors are of great importance in both pathophysiology and treatment. “Accepting the disease and what is associated with it in terms of monitoring and therapy is important to improve sexual health in women with diabetes,” Giorgino underlines.

Recommendations for screening

A comprehensive clinical and biochemical assessment is essential to identify sexual dysfunction in patients with diabetes. For men, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) provides a multidimensional scale for the assessment of erectile dysfunction. For women, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is recommended. Both should be used regularly in patient management.

Furthermore, determining testosterone levels is crucial to diagnose functional hypogonadism in men, which, if left untreated, can exacerbate visceral obesity, glycaemic control issues, and muscle mass deterioration. Thus, breaking the silence around sexual health and diagnosing sexual dysfunction are key elements of comprehensive diabetes care.

EASD/ESSM Joint Session "Diabetes and couple sexual dysfunction”
C. Fuglesang Jensen (Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Denmark): Sexual consequences
G. Rastrelli (University of Florence, Italy): The benefits to check and treat hormonal alterations
A. Cignarelli (University of Bari, Italy): The role of new and developing drugs
P. Capogrosso (Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy: Lifestyle alterations: Can we really make a difference?

To learn more about the ESSM, go to: https://www.essm.org

Author: Hanna Gabriel, BA MSc. Any opinions expressed in this article are the responsibility of EASD e-Learning.

ESSM 2024: Breaking the silence – diabetes and couple sexual dysfunction

Recent News