My husband is diabetic. He has suffered sexual dysfunction. He's no longer romantic. Is that normal? ?

I felt he's no longer interested in me. I'm still a normal human being.

Yes, it is normal. Diabetes affects EVERYTHING -- including "that".

Your husband needs to bring this problem to his doctor. The fact is, YOU are the least of his problems! Erectile dysfunctions is a leading indicator of heart and/or circulation problems. In other words, your husband may be developing heart problems, although the ED is the first symptom to show.

Diabetes causes neuropathy -- deadened nerves. As you probably understand, nerve sensitivity is very important for that function. But it takes months, even years, of out-of-control diabetes to affect nerves. So the ED shows that your husbands has had diabetes for a long time, and it is not well controlled.

Unfortunately, if neuropathy is part of the problem, drugs like Viagra, Cialis, or LEvitra won't help all that much.

Your husband MUST take better care of his disease, and get his blood sugars under control. The quickest way to do that is with insulin injections. If teh diabetes is so far out of control that he is sexually dysfunctional, insulin may be the ONLY possible treatment.

But YOU must make sure that you do not make the mistake of thinking his feelings for you have changed. There is a very definite difference between "can't" and "won't". I seriously doubt that his feelings for you have changed, but his inability to perform takes a drastic toll on his self-worth. YOU need to be understanding, supporting, and loving regardless of the outcome of the treatment. He may no longer be "romantic", and it is possible that those abilities might never return, but that does not change his love for you as his wife and partner.

Remember, you were married "in sickeness and in health" -- and this IS a sickness. Be supporting, loving, and respectful.

The sexual dysfunction is normal. However the inability to be romantic may be a sign that he associated the two together. He most likely still loves you, but is avoiding you romantically as not to remind himself of one of the most pleasurable acts that he can no longer participate in. You may have to be the romantic one as a lot of people confuse sex and romance.

Normal in both aspect with or without the side effects of the meds.
Both factors could be playing a part with your husband. The side effects of the medicines could be decreasing his libidio. Time in your relations could be a factor for his non-romantic situation.

Outside looking in - I can't give the definite answer but those 2 factors are things for you to consider.

Hi chelle, welcome to Yahoo Answers. There are some great conversations going on here - just remember that any advice you get here is worth EXACTLY what you paid for it. It's mostly personal experience or opinions.

By sexual dysfunction, I'm assuming that you mean he has difficulty getting and maintaining an erection. That's not unusual for diabetic men and for a guy who has been used to getting good, firm erections and having satisfying sex for both he and his partner, the loss of the ability to get that erection can be devastating. It can easily lead to what appears to be a loss of libido, simply because he's worried that he's not going to be able to get it up and as a result, disappoint you. In turn, that may lead you to think that he's no longer interested in you ... and leaves you feeling very unsatisfied. As he becomes more embarrassed by his inability to perform, it can lead him to clam up and not want to talk about it - something you need to do!

First thing I would suggest is that you BOTH go to your doctor and have a chat about it. If he's on the usual routine of medications for diabetics, then there might be something in that mix that is causing some problems for him.

Failing that, there are medications such as Levitra, Cialis and Viagra that can be used to help a guy get and maintain an erection. Those meds have helped many marriages.

The other thing is that he needs to remember that there are other ways he can bring you pleasure besides straight intercourse. Your doctor might be able to help there or refer you to a sex therapist who could work with both of you ... or you might check online for books in that subject area. I'm sure http://www.amazon.ca would have some suggested titles.

I'll include some links that also have good information - esepcially the material from the Mayo Clinic.

Good luck to both of you.

Again, welcome to Yahoo Answers!

Diabetes can cause decreased blood flow and nerve function in the extremities and yes, in the genitals also. Men will not feel like being romantic if they know that they cannot "finish the deal". He needs to get to the doctor and ask about treatment options for this condition. Sometimes medications can help and it would be healthy for your relationship as well.

Yes diabetes can have that effect unfortunately. But romance can be triggered by good romantic music, and maybe you won't have the sexual act but you can still feel the closeness and the romance. Give it a try, you never can tell. I'm a diabetic also.

I think you need to talk to HIS Dr. about this he could be having some type of reaction to his medications. He is probably just as frustrated as you are he is probably thinking that this is something he is going to have to learn to deal with just as he did with diabetes. Talk to his Dr.

Its a combination of being diabetic and the meds he has to take for it. The same thing happened to my father-in-law. He ended up having to go speak to his doctor about it but there was little he could do for him. Viagra works but you have to want to have sex. If he doesnt then nothing will work.

Isn't it likely he no longer feels romantic because of his loss of function?

He is who Viagra was invented for! Might change his life. And yours.

yes that is normal my dad did that to my mom so yeah its normal