Diabetes in middle-aged and older people is likely to cause them more sexual problems than people without diabetes.
A study from the University of Chicago saw 2,000 people aged 57 to 85 years complete questionnaires, undergo assessments of medication and give blood samples so researchers could assess their diabetes status.
When the researchers examined the sexual activity data, they found that nearly 70 per cent of partnered men with diabetes and 62 per cent of partnered women with diabetes were sexually active. The figures were the same as people without diabetes, but the men with diabetes experienced significantly more problems.
These centred around erectile difficulty and lack of interest in sex, while women with diabetes were less likely to talk about any sexual problems with their doctors.
The report's lead author, Stacy Lindau, said, "Patients and doctors need to know that most middle age and older adults with partners are still sexually active despite their diabetes."
"However, many people with diabetes have sexual problems that are not being addressed."
Lindau said that older women with diabetes were also far less likely than women without diabetes to have a partner, a sign that their condition may make them less confident about dating and starting relationships.
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