‘I accept his manhood is on life‐support’: A qualitative understanding of the impact of diabetes on sexual relationships among men and women living with type 2 diabetes and their partners in South Africa
Authors' conclusion
PLWD and their partners need more informational support to increase their understanding of diabetes-associated sexual dysfunction and to decrease fears and anxiety. Strengthening communication within couples on sexual issues may empower them to find solutions to problems experienced. This may improve couples' relationships and quality of life, and indirectly result in better self management of T2DM.
Study context
- Population
- Men and women living with T2D and their partners, Cape Town, South Africa10 PLWD and partners
- Comparison
- PLWD vs Partners
- PLWDn = 10
- Outcome
- Impact of diabetes on sexual relationships
Methodological detailsin-depth individual interviews, inductive thematic analysis, Interviews July 2020–January 2021, part of a larger study developing a T2D self-management intervention
- In-depth individual interviews
- Inductive thematic analysis
- Interviews July 2020–January 2021, part of a larger study developing a T2D self-management intervention
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- PLWD and partners felt sexual relationships and desires changed post-diagnosis, beyond biomedical issues
- Couples' reports on quality of sexual relationships were concordant
- Most participants had not communicated sexual desires and concerns with each other, causing unhappiness and fears of disappointing or losing their partner
- Participants felt uninformed about sexual dysfunction but had not discussed it with their healthcare provider, leading to increased anxiety
Original publication
‘I accept his manhood is on life‐support’: A qualitative understanding of the impact of diabetes on sexual relationships among men and women living with type 2 diabetes and their partners in South Africa. Diabet Med. Published 12 September 2023. doi:10.
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