44 percent say diabetes affects sex life

LONDON, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- A study of U.S., British and German diabetes patients found 44 percent say the disease affects their ability or desire to have sex, researchers said.

The study, conducted online among 2,000 patients with type 2 diabetes, investigated patients' attitudes, feelings, health status, drug treatment programs and needs for coping with life with diabetes.

The study, conducted by The Research Partnership, said most people say they feel in control of their condition but 43 percent report that they are sometimes or often unsuccessful in managing their condition.

In all countries investigated, one in two people say they feel that diabetes has an impact on their general mood. However, men are significantly more likely to feel calm and confident, while women are more likely to feel challenged, frustrated or tired.

More than half of patients are also receiving treatment for high blood pressure and high cholesterol and the majority are overweight. The vast majority of the study subjects in Britain and the United States are clinically obese and around one-third from all countries never engage in any physical exercise, the study said.

On the whole, patients enjoy a good relationship with their doctor but one-fifth -- particularly the case in the United States -- say they sometimes feel their doctor is annoyed with them for not managing their diabetes.