Sexual life experiences of women with diabetes: A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies.

Abstract

This study aims to systematically interpret and synthesize the data obtained from qualitative research about the sexual lives of women with diabetes. A thorough literature review was conducted between May and July 2023 across five electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, EBSCO, and Science Direct Embase. Eight studies published in English since 2000, which explored the sexual experiences of women with diabetes, were included in this assessment. The sexual experiences of women with diabetes were summarized under five main themes: perception of sexuality, changes in sexual life, adapting to the new normal, unmet care needs, and expectations. This review underlines the intricate nature of diabetic women's sexual experiences, acknowledging the substantial impact of diabetes-related complications and the associated emotional stress on their quality of life and intimate relationships. The study finds that awareness varies among women, with some adapting to the changes brought on by diabetes, while others remain uninformed about its impact on their sexual health. There is a pronounced need for integrating sexual health into diabetes care routines. Many women face unaddressed sexual health concerns and require education and empathetic care from knowledgeable health professionals.