Is Too Much Sugar Sabotaging Intimacy?

It is important to understand that poorly managed blood sugar levels impact both sexes equally but in different ways. Both men and women can suffer from a broad range of health concerns due to complications from elevated blood glucose levels - including the pre-diabetic and diabetic phases of the disease. Since feeling fatigued is a common side effect of consuming too much sugar, this factor alone may be reason enough to avoid what it can do to one’s sex drive. 

Explaining to a new partner about problems you have in managing blood glucose levels can lead to a better relationship and improve communication about the psychological and physiological impact. Nonetheless, it is very important to hold yourself accountable for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, which can help prevent sexually-related nerve damage and problems with blood flow in both men and women. 

Sweets Make You Cranky

Generally speaking, the effect that high blood sugar levels have on women is less obvious on the surface than it is for men. Nonetheless, if you don’t feel like yourself in the bedroom, it could be time to cut back on sweets such as highly processed foods, sugary drinks, and baked goods. Listed below are common complaints that go hand in hand with excess sugar consumption:

• Unintended Weight Gain – High glucose levels can result in extra fuel that your body needs to burn, causing your metabolism to store the excess calories as fat. This unintended weight gain can have a negative effect on self-esteem and your overall sexual health.
• Depression & Anxiety – Poorly managed blood sugar can leave you feeling depressed. This can trigger anxiety or moodiness. Moreover, if you take antidepressant medications, they affect people differently; it’s important to communicate with your doctor about prescriptions you think are interfering with your sex life.
• Low Libido – Testosterone and estrogen are the primary sex hormones responsible for the male and female sex drive. Although the production of hormones changes with maturation, excessive consumption of sugar can hinder hormonal balance and reduce your sexual desire. Replacement therapies can help, but there is no better substitute than restoring overall balance.
• Loss of Arousal – During menopause, a woman with diabetes can suddenly experience a drop in her blood glucose levels. This can cause sex to feel like more of an inconvenience than a pleasure. Penile and vaginal nerve damage are common causes of loss of sensation during sex.
• Increased Stress – Cortisol is the stress hormone associated with fight or flight. It is a major disruptor to hormonal balance and can directly affect a person’s overall sense of well-being, as well as their sexual health. Living a healthy lifestyle, eating a healthful diet, and having a de-stress routine can help boost self-esteem. 
• Urinary Tract Infections – According to the American Urological Association, both male and female diabetics are prone to urinary tract infections, bladder issues, yeast infections, and sexual dysfunction due to poor blood flow and damaged sensory function. 

It is important to think of your body as a machine that needs fuel to keep running. Although you can spit and sputter your way through the day burning empty calories, you already know some of the ill effects such as unwanted fat deposits from consuming too much sugar. And as with many machines, the quality of fuel that you put in matters, too. Eating a balanced diet of more wholesome foods can help to eliminate negative chemical reactions in your body and restore much-needed balance.

Did you know that sex can actually be good for women and men who suffer from high blood sugar or diabetes? It can help to get the heart pumping, increase blood flow, elevate mood, and promote deeper and more restful sleep. According to an article in WebMD, about 35% of women who have been diagnosed with diabetes complain about sexual issues, and 80% of women who take insulin report issues in the bedroom. But, if you want to get your spark back again, it doesn’t mean you have to live with those odds. Diabetes educator Janis Roszler, who is a marriage therapist and author says, “There’s no reason for any woman or man with diabetes to deny themself the opportunity to have a fulfilling and pleasurable sex life.”

Issues in the bedroom can have many causes and not everything is related to what you eat. There are other lifestyle issues like drinking too much alcohol that can spike sugar consumption. Whereas the sexual issues for women with diabetes can be tricker to diagnose than those in men, keeping blood sugar levels in check has a lot to do with properly managing other heart functions, such as blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. Adopting a personalized diet filled with real foods including healthy fats and protein has been proven to improve blood sugar levels and protect against health-related issues more than a standard low-fat diet does. 

Ready to adopt a healthier lifestyle but not sure where to start? Connect with an MRC Coach today to learn more about the programs, products, and services that can help you be the healthiest version of you!