ABSTRACT
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus continues to increase worldwide, and it is estimated that 3% of the population suffer from this metabolic disorder (1). The majority (approximately 85-90%) have a clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, characterized initially by hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and finally developing into pancreatic β-cell failure. Conversely, type 1 diabetes often presents with acute metabolic upset following autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells necessitating insulin replacement from diagnosis. The burden of diabetes care for the individual, caregivers, and health-care providers lies in the chronic sequelae of this condition, given the susceptibility to both macrovascular and pathognomonic microvascular complications (2). Psychological changes frequently accompany limitations imposed by diabetes following its diagnosis, treatment, or development of complications. It is not surprising, therefore, that this condition can have a profound effect upon sexual function, although until the last two decades, this was not well recognized.
