what to do when your partner has diabetes

#What to do when your partner has diabetes how to#

Maybe there are fears about having low blood sugar while you’re being intimate,” he says. There are times when you just don’t feel well. “Lots of things can impact the desire for intimacy. “You have to let your partner know how you’re feeling, just as in any relationship,” he says. Communication is key in helping with these issues, says Heyman. Intimacy challenges A study published in May 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that people who have type 1 diabetes may be at an increased risk of sexual disorders. “You may be amazed at the ideas that can come about if one of you just asks the question.” “If one of you would like to be more spontaneous, ask the other person, ‘What can we do together to make you more comfortable with that?’” he says. “If you want to take off on a weekend road trip, it’s nice to know you can just grab that bag and have everything you need to stay healthy,” he says. Keep extra insulin and anything else you might need in a bag, he suggests. “Having supplies packed and ready to go can help if a last-minute trip or fun activity comes up,” says Heyman. While it may feel counterintuitive, doing a little planning in advance can help you be spontaneous. Lack of spontaneity Because type 1 diabetes involves a lot of planning, it might feel like there isn’t enough spontaneity in your relationship. “That does two things: It helps you set boundaries with your partner around how they interact with you about your condition, and it also gives them a concrete way to help you manage type 1diabetes, which can help relieve some of the anxiety your partner may have,” he says. What would be more helpful for me is if we could plan time this weekend to take a walk together or prepare a healthy meal,’” says Heyman. “For example, you might tell your partner, ‘It’s really not helpful for you to be looking at my blood sugar numbers all the time and commenting on them. In those cases, it’s important to let your partner know what’s helpful for you and what’s not helpful, he says.

#What to do when your partner has diabetes how to#

“It usually comes from a place of caring and not always knowing how to help,” says Dr. It may seem like your partner is constantly asking you about how you feel and what you ate, and monitoring your every move. It can be really hard to manage type 1 diabetes when you feel like you’re all on your own.”įeeling micromanaged On the other hand, you may sometimes feel like you’re receiving too much support. “That means support in making healthy choices when it comes to eating, exercise, and other activities. Your partner needs to be able to offer support - not only when you aren’t feeling well, but also in the day-to-day,” he says. “I encourage people to educate their partner or have a healthcare team who can help educate their partner about each step in managing type 1 diabetes. If your partner isn’t aware of what all those tasks are and why each is important, it can be difficult for them to support you, says Mark Heyman, PhD, a certified diabetes educator and the founder and director of the Center for Diabetes and Mental Health in Solana Beach, California. Lack of support Diabetes requires many daily management tasks. Here are some common issues that people who have type 1 diabetes and their partners may face, as well as tips to help address these concerns and maintain a healthy relationship. If you find that your type 1 diabetes has taken a toll on your relationship, there are steps you can take to help reconnect with your partner and get back on track. Although every relationship has challenges, there are some issues that can seem especially tricky when you have a chronic condition like type 1 diabetes.Ī qualitative study published in March 2013 in Diabetes Care found that people with type 1 diabetes and their partners feel that the condition impacts their relationship, posing both emotional and interpersonal challenges - and that partner support is a vital source of support for those living with the condition. Managing type 1 diabetes can take a physical, emotional, and financial toll on your relationship, whether you’re dating, married, or in a long-term partnership.