sexual health – Page 2

10/04/201710/12/2017

Don’t Let Diabetes Kill Romance Tips

Did you know mixing oil-based lubricants with latex condoms is not a good idea?

Since vaginal dryness is the biggest sexual complaint in women with diabetes then using lubricant is important. Vaginal dryness is, this twice as likely if you have diabetes. If you are in menopause or postmenopause, less estrogen may be the cause. If you aren’t, damage to the nerves that lubricate your vagina may be. Vaginal dryness can become a painful cycle. If sex hurts because of it, you may tense up during sex, causing more pain, or avoid sex altogether.

Not using appropriate lubrication can actually lead to some pretty serious tears that can land you in the emergency room.

“If you’re using a latex condom, do not use an oil-based lube—including natural lubricants like olive or coconut oil—because they break down the latex and the condom becomes ineffective.” If you’re using a condom, you should be using a water or silicone-based lubricant.

Water-based lubricants come in two general types, with and without glycerin. Glycerin is a slightly sweet tasting substance. Brands containing glycerin include KY Jelly, Sylk, Astroglide, Probe, and Aqualube. However, women who often have vaginal yeast infections may wish to avoid glycerin lubes, as the sugar can encourage yeast growth. Liquid Silk and Play are two brands of water-based lubricant that do not contain glycerin.

Something to keep in mind is that many organic lubes or other glycerin free lubes use sweeteners other than sugar, such as aspartame. While this is great for those who cannot have sugar, others should keep this in mind as some people have negative reactions to aspartame. Knowing your own body and its reactions to various chemicals, and even natural sweetners, can help you to make better decisions about the type or brand of lube you want to use.

One of the safest bets for women with diabetes is a high quality silicone lubricant. No studies have shown people having reactions to pure silicone lubricant, and many higher end versions, just as Pjur Bodyglide and Gun Oil only have four or five ingredients, most of them different types of silicone or silicone blends. With little or no additives, these lubes are most certainly sugar free, and are great for all types of sex, unless you are using silicone toys.

Keep in mind that in addition to finding a good sugar free lube, you should have plenty of water and high impact snacks available during sex to help regular blood sugar as needed. If you are concerned, make sure to keep test strips nearby as well, and journal about what makes your blood sugar rises in fall in correlation with sexual activity.

Romantic relationships play an important role in our everyday lives. When diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate and strain even the most loving and open relationships. If you have diabetes, you may be looking for guidance on this sensitive subject – Janis Roszler and Donna Rice’s book, Sex and Diabetes is here to give help and advice where you need it. Don’t let diabetes hinder the romance; Sex and Diabetes can help you discover how to rekindle the intimacy with your partner.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic explores issues of love, intimacy and diabetes on this special one hour ‘Don’t Let Diabetes Kill Romance’ podcast.Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to sexual health complications including vaginal dryness, sensation and performance. Up to 50% of men and 25% of women may experience some kind of sexual problem or a loss of sex drive.

Don’t equate sexual performance with love or a fulfilling relationship; focus on letting your partner know you care and want to give pleasure as part of your relationship

Mr. Divabetic’s Guests include Best-Selling Author Lisa Eugene, Jennifer Martsolf from Trigg Laboratories (the makers of Wet Lubricants) and Janis Roszler MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).

If you or your partner is experiencing sexual difficulties, you may find it helpful to meet with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, marriage counselor or sex therapist. These professionals can help you learn how to reduce stress and change behaviors and attitudes, particularly when impotence is caused by stress or other mental health issues. LISTEN NOW

07/17/2017

Author Mary Kay Andrews Joins the D Minus Club

Missed opportunities in movies and books for raising awareness for diabetes really annoy me. The only thing worse in my opinion is perpetuating a diabetes misconception which happens to be the case in The New York Times bestselling author Mary Kay Andrew’s novel, ‘Spring Fever’.

The author describes the book as “… delicious new escapist novel about small towns, old flames, and deep secrets” on her website.

Sadly, I feel she drops the ball on educating people about diabetes in ‘Spring Fever’ like she did previously in her novel, ‘The Weekenders’.

Although diabetes doesn’t play a prominent role in ‘Spring Fever’, she still manages to play down the significance of diabetes. The line in question: “… And I lose my health care, Annajane. I have sugar diabetes….” Really? ‘Sugar Diabetes’!!!! It’s 2017 not 1957. Okay, some people may still use phrases like ‘a touch of sugar’ to describe diabetes but is it really necessary to use these types of references in books and fan the flames of ignorance? I don’t think so. After twelve years of working as a diabetes advocate I have come to realize that one of the biggest mistakes someone with diabetes and their loved ones can make is to think that this disease is not serious.

I know personally that diabetes really can destroy your life, wreck havoc on your relationships and steal your dignity. I experienced it first hand when my former boss, Luther Vandross suffered a stroke related to type 2 diabetes in 2003. At the time I had no idea that diabetes could be so devestating. The fact that Luther could not perform some of the most basic life functions after his stroke without assistance was heartbreaking. The fact that diabetes silenced his voice is unforgettable. But the fact that a growing number of Luther fans are experiencing diabetes health-related complications such as stroke, amputation, blindness and kidney failure is unforgivable.

Diabetes is a serious matter. When a Best-Selling Author with more than eleven New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese chooses to perpetuate ignorance about diabetes and diabetes self-care in her books I get upset. It seems to me that she managed to do enough medical research during the writing process to learn that certain medications can affect the effectiveness of birth control, didn’t she? So why can’t she do the same for diabetes?

On the flip side I appreciate how “Spring Fever’ helps readers gain a deeper understanding one of the ‘taboo’ topics related to health. Specifically, erectile dysfunction and the toll it can take on your relationship(s).

It’s interesting to note that researchers analyzed 6.2 million health insurance claims for men who received an ED diagnosis, and discovered that only 25 percent filled a prescription for treatment during the 12-month study period. Whatever the reason for avoiding treatment, the consequence is undisputed: “Sexual health is an important aspect of the quality of a man’s life—and men live longer when they are sexually active,” says Dr. McVary. “This is a medical disease that warrants treatment.”

On July’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast I discussed this topic with Janis Rozsler MSFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND who is a Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Janis Rozler is also the author of two wonderful books, ’Sex And Diabetes’ (ADA, 2007), and ‘The Secrets and Loving with Diabetes’ (Surrey Books, 2004). You can hear my interview by clicking on THE LINK.

I would gladly welcome the author, Mary Kay Andrews as a guest on an upcoming Diabetes Late Nite podcast to explain why she chooses to misinform her readers about diabetes. (Divabetic.org)

01/27/201701/28/2017

How To Put Intimacy Back into Your Diabetes Life

February’s musical inspiration, superstar George Michael never shied away from singing about ‘sex’ and we’re not afraid to talk about it, especially when it relates to your diabetes life.

It doesn’t make much sense to button our lips about ‘sex’ when so many people with diabetes are struggling with sexual health issues.

At any given time an estimated 30 million American men experience impotence (erectile dysfunction), defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for intercourse more frequent than one out of four times. Approximately 35 percent of women with diabetes may experience some form of sexual dysfunction related to their disease. And 50 to 70 percent of men and 40 to 50 percent of women living with diabetes health related complications may have sexual difficulties because of nerve damage.

If there’s a silver lining to be found in any of the above statistics its that sexual dysfunction doesn’t have to mean the end of sexual intimacy. By learning to communicate with your partner about bodily changes and other sexual issues and by learning to focus on your ability to give your partner pleasure, rather than on any impairment or limitations you may have, you can keep your love life alive.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked one of our favorite diabetes educators, the author of “Sex and Diabetes” and “The Secrets of Living and Loving with Diabetes” and family therapist, Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE to share some of her favorite intimacy tips:

1. Hug! Every day, hug your partner until you both feel relaxed. It’s a non-sexual hug that nurtures your emotional needs while it enriches your relationship. When you feel more connected, romantic moments get even better!

2. Do one romantic thing for your loved one each day – send a loving text, call to say you miss them, place a romantic note in their sink, buy their favorite food, etc. Show that you are thinking of them. Very romantic!

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love Fashion’ blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

You have beautiful qualities, both physical and emotional, that draw people to you. You don’t need to look or talk or act like anyone else. We all offer the world something different. That’s what makes it so beautiful.

Lest our team of experts show you how to embrace Valentine’s Day without feeling like you’re compromising your diabetes self-care. Don’t let diabetes dim your Dazzle!

This podcast is part of Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the ‘Spare A Rose, Save A Child’ campaign. Please join us! #Dpodcastweek

01/15/2017

Love Your Diabetes Health with a Divabetic’s Valentine’s Day Celebration

This year we’re encouraging you to ‘sparkle’ not just survive the holidays if you’re living with diabetes. From feeling deprived about what you can eat to feeling embarrassed about living a sexual health related complication, diabetes can make it difficult at times to get in the spirit!

Coming soon our favorite experts, Stacey Harris aka the Diabetic Pastry Chef, ‘The Decadent Diabetic‘ aka Chef Ward Alper, Wine & Spirits Expert Samantha Shaken Baker, Certified Diabetes Educators, Patrica Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND and Rich In Love Fashion style Blogger, Published Writer, Diabetes Advocate, and Spokesmodel, Doris Hobbs share their advice on loving the holiday without compromising your diabetes health.

Look for our Diabetic Valentine’s Day Celebration’s diabetes self-care advice, healthy and delicious recipes, beauty and fashion tips and favorite love songs on this blog and our upcoming February Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST.

Did you know that Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400?

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.) Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

Did you know that Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s?

In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.” Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year!

TUNE IN: February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, ESt. Guests include Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, Rich In Love style blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Mama Rose Marie and Poet Lorraine Brooks. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

12/10/2016

How To Treat Low Blood Sugars in the Bedroom

An orgasm is a sought-after sexual reward, but for people with diabetes it can feel like a quest for fire and/or unattainable goal. And, yes, we’re talking about women and men here.

Achieving an orgasm might take a lot of work, fantasy, time and patience which could lead to a low blood sugar.

I spoke with Janis Rozsler MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE) on our Diabetes Late Nite podcast about how to treat low blood sugars in the bedroom. The question really isn’t about how to treat a low blood sugar, it’s about to treat it without wrecking the mood.

So how do you treat you blood sugars without losing out on the spontaneity.

“Keep things in their nightstands like a snack and check your blood sugars before going into the bedroom,” says Janis. “You can also incorporate food into your sexual play like strawberries and chocolates and whipped cream.You need to test what works for you,” says Janis.

If low blood sugar at night is a common problem for you, talk to your doctor about changing your diabetes treatment plan to better control your nighttime glucose levels.

LISTEN: Don’t Let Diabetes Kill Romance with guest, Janis Rozsler MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).

10/30/201610/30/2016

Grace & Frankie Tackle Vaginal Dryness

The original Netflix series, “Grace & Frankie” starring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda tackles the topic of ‘vaginal dryness’ in post menopausal women in one episode in the first season.

Vaginal dryness is is the biggest sexual complaint in women with diabetes. Vaginal dryness is, this twice as likely if you have diabetes. If you are in menopause or postmenopause, less estrogen may be the cause. If you aren’t, damage to the nerves that lubricate your vagina may be. Vaginal dryness can become a painful cycle. If sex hurts because of it, you may tense up during sex, causing more pain, or avoid sex altogether.

“I did want to talk about sexuality with older women because people usually go “Ugh” when you talk about an older woman having sex,” says “Grace & Frankie” co-creator Marta Kauffman.

“We can have sex when we’re older, and we’re going to find a way to make it beautiful and lovely and important. And it’s just as important for us as it is for a 20-year-old, if not more so, because it’s about intimacy. I got a little excited about that one. See, the dry vagina leads to everything”, says Kauffman.

About 35% of women with diabetes seem to have sexual issues. That doesn’t mean you have to live with them. There’s help to get your sex life going again.

“Some women’s issues may be more complex to treat than those of men, but most can be treated,” says frequent Diabetes Late Nite guest, Janis Roszler, a diabetes educator, marriage therapist, and author of Sex and Diabetes: For Him and For Her. “There’s no reason for any woman with diabetes to deny herself the opportunity to have a fulfilling and pleasurable sex life.”

On the Netflix series, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda play 70-something frenemies whose husbands (played by Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen, respectively) leave them for each other— explores twilight years thrown into chaos, and Tomlin and Fonda anchor the emotional heft of the show. Though it has some missteps, seeing the two onscreen together feels like a victory.

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin both want more “Grace and Frankie” — more seasons, more often. Spurred on by positive feedback for a terrific second season, the pair have gone so far as to lobby Netflix president Ted Sarandos about releasing more than one season per year.

LISTEN NOW: Don’t Let Diabetes Kill Romance podcast discussing sexual health issues related to diabetes.

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to sexual health complications including vaginal dryness, sensation and performance. Up to 50% of men and 25% of women may experience some kind of sexual problem or a loss of sex drive.

Don’t equate sexual performance with love or a fulfilling relationship; focus on letting your partner know you care and want to give pleasure as part of your relationship

Mr. Divabetic’s Guests include Best-Selling Author Lisa Eugene, Jennifer Martsolf from Trigg Laboratories (the makers of Wet Lubricants) and Janis Roszler MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).

10/28/2016

Cigarettes and Viagra Don’t Mix

It is estimated that about 35% to 75% of men with diabetes will experience at least some degree of erectile dysfunction — also called ED or impotence — during their lifetime.

Men with diabetes tend to develop erectile dysfunction 10 to 15 years earlier than men without diabetes.

What happens if you’re a smoker living with diabetes and experiencing ED?

Smoking effects erections by constricting the blood vessels while viagra works to expand the blood vessels which means the two in combination cancel each other out. In most cases, viagra is not effective at all in this situation.

This topic came up during our discussion about ED at Divabetic’s first-ever men’s outreach event, ‘Meet You At the Barbershop’ at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, October 22, 2016.

Erectile dysfunction — the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sex — is common in men who have diabetes. It can stem from problems caused by poor long-term blood sugar control, which damages nerves and blood vessels.

Sexual and urologic complications of diabetes occur because of the damage diabetes can cause to blood vessels and nerves. Men may have difficulty with erections or ejaculation. Women may have problems with sexual response and vaginal lubrication.

Talking about sexual health issues related to diabetes shouldn’t be embarrassing. In many cases, a sexual health problem is a precursor for diabetes health-related complications for both men and women.

Our ‘Meet You At The Barbershop’ panel of experts included Dr. James Plumb MD from the Center for Urban Health, Dr. Perry Weiner, MD, Urologist Thomas Jefferson Men’s Health at the Navy Yard, Rohit Moghe, PharmD, MSPH,CDE Advanced Practice Pharmacist Medicine/Endocrine/Geriatric, David Madison, MeD, Men’s Health Educator and Reverend Clarence Pemberton, Diabetes Advocate.

FREE OUTREACH: Join us for Divabetic – Victory Over Diabetes on Saturday, November 12, 2016, 11 AM – 3 PM at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. REGISTER NOW: 1-800-JEFF-NOW