Recognising female sexual dysfunction as an essential aspect of effective diabetes care

The following literature review will focus on sexual dysfunction in women living with diabetes, drawing on international studies in this specialist field. The key aim of this paper is generate a greater understanding and recognition of the issues facing these women and to determine a more proactive approach to identification, consultation and potential treatment options. The main findings highlight the unique role practitioners have with women with diabetes and how to facilitate partnership working. Nurses have the most frequent contact with people living with diabetes in any healthcare system. Nurses’ knowledge about sexuality in relation to diabetes should improve patient education, recognition and could signal undiagnosed or increased risk of sexual dysfunction to enable treatment so care can be optimised accordingly