
Type 1 Diabetes and Intimacy: Reducing Burden in the Bedroom
Here on Glu, we offer people living with type 1 diabetes the chance to be open and honest, sharing challenges and gaining support from others who know how much this disease can get in the way of life. Having an anonymous forum allows us to gain real perspective on some deeply personal matters.
Several months ago, we polled the community on one of our most personal topics to date: physical intimacy.
In response, 63% of the community reported that T1D has had a negative effect in this area of their lives, blaming devices, sudden swings in blood sugar, and recurrent infections. Likewise, there is at least one published research study proving that people with diabetes and poor glycemic control reported significantly reduced intimacy and satisfaction in their marriages(1).
In a follow-up question, we learned how people’s sex lives have been affected. Here is a list of the most commonly reported problems, and potential strategies for solving them.
“My blood glucose is too low for sex.”
Having low blood sugar (BG) can interrupt anything; you just have to put everything else on hold and deal with it immediately. As the most commonly mentioned barrier to sex (one user commented that low blood sugar can “really kill the moment”), knowing your BG prior to sex is always a smart idea, as is adjusting any dose of rapid insulin prior to activity. Additionally, having a small snack before any physical activity may help prevent a low. You can also keep some ‘fast carbs’ near the bed, such as juice, gummy snacks, or glucose tabs. If you do experience a low during sex, despite y
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