Sexual function in healthy and particularly in diabetic women has received little attention from clinical researchers.

a) To define which is the most impaired sexual phase in a group of type 1 diabetic females. b) To study the role of biological, psychological, social and relational factors in the same population.

We evaluated clinical and glycometabolic factors as well as the following psycho-cognitive and social variables: Zung Depression Scale, Diabetes Quality of Life, Body Image Scale, Female Sexual Function Index, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Inclusion criteria: type 1 diabetes mellitus, age >18 years, stable heterosexual relationship for at least 1 year.

We enrolled 77 diabetic women (age [mean± SD]: 39.0±10.1 yr; duration of the disease: 16.8±10.1 yr; mean HbA1C: 8.1±1.1%). As expected we found a significant correlation between quality of life and: a) depressive aspects (p<0.05), b) body perception (p=0.001), c) social support (p<0.05). Moreover we found a significant association between Depression Scale and Sexual Function Index (p<0.05). Surprisingly we observed an unexpected correlation between poor metabolic control (expressed as HbA1C levels) and a better sexual function (in specific desire, arousal and orgasm).

In women affected by type 1 diabetes mellitus psychological factors seem to be predominant with respect to somatic ones; in particular we suppose that a good metabolic control could reflect an attitude to “control” both glucose monitoring and sexual life.