7 sex tips for those living with diabetes

People who have diabetes can enjoy fully satisfying sex lives, if they understand a few things about how diabetes affects the body. Here are some simple tips and tidbits to help make your romantic encounters more successful and enjoyable.

This herbal supplement is for the guys. Since an erection is basically a matter of hydraulics — blood flowing to the penis — taking gingko regularly could lead to better erections.

Check with your doctor first, however, because this supplement can interact with other medications.

Here's further motivation to get your recommended daily dose of movement; both men and women with diminished sex drive will benefit from routine exercise, experts say.

• Exercise improves your blood flow, which will improve the function and sensitivity of your sex organs.
• Stronger muscles, better aerobic capacity and an improved self-image will also enhance your experience in the bedroom.

If your doctor says your body can handle the physical activity, ask your spouse for one extra session of sex per week or per month, depending on how active you already are.

• On average, people burn 250 calories per hour during lovemaking.
• This aerobic "workout" will do your cardiovascular system a lot of good, and it's one less bad TV show the two of you will be watching!

You can take turns: me tonight, you tomorrow.

• The relaxation may help to reduce your levels of stress hormones, which can drive up your blood sugar. And who knows where a massage might lead?
• Even if it leads nowhere, this kind of touch is a nice way to connect with your spouse and show you care.

A bonus for the massage giver: Because massaging someone takes force (more than you may realize), your hands and arms get some exercise.

It's rare, but in some cases nerve damage reduces sensitivity in the genitals in people who have diabetes.

• Often you can compensate for this with additional gentle touching in the right places. A vibrator might help as well.

Vaginal dryness is common among women who have diabetes, and this is a simple problem to fix.

• Keep water-based lubricants in the drawer of your night table. There is a wide variety, each a different colour, scent or flavour.
• Some also warm up when they make contact with skin. The variety will add a degree of sensuous play to your love life, which can be a bonus if you or your partner has a flagging sex drive. Stick to water-based lubricants. Oil-based lubricants (such as petroleum jelly) can damage condoms and lead to bacterial infection.

Surprise pregnancies aren't a good idea for women who have diabetes.

• If you're pregnant and your blood sugar isn't under control, you run a high risk of birth defects or miscarriage. Your birth control options are the same as for people who do not have diabetes.

However, if you use birth control pills, monitor your blood sugar closely, and ask your doctor whether you need to adjust your insulin or other medications.

• Birth control pills work by giving you hormones, and some hormones can raise your blood sugar levels.

*Remember, women who have entered perimenopause and are having irregular periods can still get pregnant.