Symptoms of sexual dysfunction and depression in diabetic women

Abstract

Studies of sexual dysfunction in diabetic women have been less conclusive than those of sexual dysfunction in diabetic men. We examined the relationship between symptoms of sexual dysfunction, neuropathy, and depression in diabetic women. Diabetic women with neuropathy experienced significantly more symptoms of sexual dysfunction and depression than diabetic women without neuropathy. Furthermore, among women with neuropathy, there was a significant positive correlation between the degree of sexual dysfunction experienced and the degree of depression. These results indicate that depressive symptoms should be examined in studies of sexual dysfunction in diabetic women, and that a biopsychosocial approach is best for assessing sexual dysfunction in diabetic women.