You should consult your doctor before considering any treatment, as your doctor should carry out a physical examination, check your weight and blood pressure, take a blood sample to check your hormone levels and test your urine for abnormalities such as the presence of glucose or protein.
Glucose in your urine can point to your diabetes not being well managed, therefore you may need a change of treatment. Protein in your urine can indicate a urine infection or kidney damage due to your diabetes.
At present, treatment for FSD mainly involves sexual and relationship therapy or physical aids to alleviate symptoms. Research into other treatments is ongoing.
Sexual and relationship therapy
This type of therapy is carried out by a sexual and relationship therapist who has had specialised training and will work with you to help you overcome sexual problems. If you have a partner, it may also help to get you and your partner talking, and help ease tension in your relationship.
The therapist is likely to start by finding out about you and the features of your problem, and to listen to you talk about what is going on in your life. Therapists may use a variety of approaches and suggest different strategies for addressing or adjusting to sexual dysfunction.
Therapy could include, for example, exercises such as ‘sensate focusing’, which is a programme of encouraging physical contact with a partner with no intercourse, for a set period of time. It aims to help couples learn how to touch one another in a sensual, rather than sexual way, in order to remove anxiety about performance and improve communication.
Whatever approach is taken, it should be tailored to what you or any partner are comfortable with trying. In some areas a sexual and relationship therapy clinic may be part of the hospital. You can also speak to your doctor or diabetes specialist nurse about referring you to a clinic or therapist in your area.
Clitoral vacuum pump
This is a device that is fixed onto the clitoris to provide gentle suction, encouraging blood flow and lubrication to the genitalia and vagina. If you would like to try this treatment, talk to your doctor, as it may be possible to get it on prescription.
Vaginal lubricants and moisturisers
Physical and psychological factors all have the potential to contribute to problems with arousal, resulting in vaginal dryness. This symptom can be relieved with moisturisers and lubricants. Long-lasting vaginal moisturisers are available and are designed to relieve general vaginal dryness for several days, and a lubricant can still be used in addition for sexual intercourse.
Many waterbased lubricants are available over the counter. Oil-based lubricants last longer than water-based ones, but must not be used with latex condoms – however non-latex condoms are available. Lubricants and moisturisers are both available with or without prescription.
Reviewed November 2009