Let's talk about sex and type 1 diabetes

Your pulse is racing, sweat beads on your forehead and your surroundings begin to blur — could you be losing yourself in a romantic moment or are you experiencing hypoglycemia?

When you live with type 1 diabetes (T1D), sex can often feel like one more thing in your life that needs to be considered through the lens of the condition. But if you have an idea of what to expect (and stay alert to any potential pitfalls), you can enjoy yourself without allowing stress to take you out of the moment.

Sex and type 1 diabetes can be a taboo topic, but there's no reason to be embarrassed or ashamed! Pick up any magazine on the grocery store rack and it will tell you to prioritize your needs and ask for what you want in the bedroom — so don't hesitate to prioritize your diabetes-related needs in the bedroom as well.

Here's some helpful advice around taking your T1D into account and planning for a safe and satisfying sexual experience with as few distractions as possible.

Take the proper precautions

Leading up to the special moment you'll share with your partner, it's important to keep a few things in mind. Here's what you should do to prepare yourself (and them):

• Take it easy on the alcohol. Alcohol can have unpredictable effects on your blood glucose levels, which could hit at an inopportune moment. If you do choose to drink beforehand, be sure to eat a snack or meal along with it.

• Make necessary adjustments. Similar to your prep routine before heading out to the gym, you might consider adjusting your insulin dosage in anticipation of where the day or night is heading. This can help mitigate wild fluctuations in either direction due to adrenaline highs or activity-induced lows.

• Talk to your partner. Communication is key for a positive sexual experience and even more important for a safe and smooth encounter when T1D is involved. Your partner should be aware of your diabetes and be capable of assisting you in the event that you need help (like if you develop severe low blood sugar). Ideally, they should also be supportive of your needs and happy to navigate around any devices you may be wearing during your time together.

• Keep your T1D needs in mind. If you use a tubed insulin pump, you may want to give thought to whether you will disconnect from it prior to getting into things. You can use the site cap to prevent your partner from scraping against the site or simply stay aware of where your pump and/or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensor are on your body. This will allow you to avoid physical discomfort or, in the case of the sensor, inaccurate readings from compression.

Enjoy the experience

Once you feel adequately prepared and your partner has an idea of what to expect, you can feel free to lose yourself in the experience. Here are a couple of things that can help you confidently enjoy yourself without the worry of T1D complications:

• Know your numbers. Quickly check in with your CGM or glucometer as the excitement builds, and feel free to glance at your numbers at any point — especially if you are feeling "off." With a CGM, you can spot any trends that help you see where your numbers are headed and be alerted to your numbers hitting your "high" or "low" thresholds while you're preoccupied.

• Keep your nightstand stocked. In addition to any non-T1D related necessities, store a selection of snacks, juices and other items that can help rescue the moment if you experience low blood sugar. If you're spending the night away from home, be sure to keep these things with you so you'll be prepared at any location.

• Listen to your body. If you need to take a break to handle a diabetes-related issue — like check on a CGM alarm or do a fingerstick blood glucose test to see what's going on — don't wait. Take all the time you need to handle T1D safely and avoid a larger issue. A supportive partner won't mind a necessary interruption and should consider your safety a top priority. The faster you feel better, the faster you can get back to the fun.

Follow up to ensure levels are stable

As you can see, it's entirely possible to combine sex and type 1 diabetes! After you and your partner are mutually satisfied, there are a few things you can do to make sure your blood glucose is in range and your overall well-being is maintained:

• Check in with yourself. Where are your numbers? Do you need a snack to bring you up or prevent a drop? Do you need a correction dose of insulin to account for a rise? Similar to how you might approach that post-workout feeling of accomplishment, keep an eye on your numbers over the next couple hours in case of a delayed impact on your blood glucose levels.
• Reconnect your diabetes devices. If you chose to disconnect from your insulin pump in the heat of the moment, be sure to reconnect without delay. You should also evaluate the need to administer any of the insulin that was missed during the period of disconnection to avoid a rise in your blood glucose levels or the chance of developing ketones. If you're prone to falling asleep or are otherwise concerned that you might forget to reconnect, set an alarm on your phone as a reminder.

It's easy to get self-conscious about your diabetes during sex. So, remember not to take yourself too seriously! Funny things can — and do — happen during sex, and type 1 diabetes has the potential to increase the opportunity for a good laugh. You know how to best take care of yourself, so relax and (responsibly) enjoy some fun with that special someone!

Looking for more information about utilizing diabetes technology for a more streamlined daily routine? Explore the Edgepark website and discover which CGM is best for you.