{"id":3458,"date":"2025-07-20T14:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T19:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/?p=3458"},"modified":"2025-07-20T06:26:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T11:26:44","slug":"sugar-sex-and-your-health-the-connection-you-might-be-ignoring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/?p=3458","title":{"rendered":"Sugar, Sex and Your Health: The Connection You Might be Ignoring"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Sugar, Sex and Your Health: The Connection You Might be Ignoring<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Claremont\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tWhen most of us think about sugar, I bet we\u2019re not thinking about our sex lives. We\u2019re thinking about dessert. I\u2019m writing this with the help of a bowl of vanilla ice cream by my side.<\/b><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tSugar makes us feel good in the moment, but over time, too much of it may cause us to lose out on some of life\u2019s most intimate moments.

\n\nIn 2025, everyone\u2019s been buzzing about GLP-1 injections to help control sugar and lose weight. This new class of medication has helped many achieve meaningful health gains \u2014 including improved blood sugar, weight loss \u2014 and even improvements to people\u2019s sex lives (because they could be getting better sleep, too).

\n\nMy goal here isn\u2019t to discount the use of GLP-1 drugs or suggest people are taking them unnecessarily (although some people may be). My intent is to spark a broader conversation: What if we also paid more attention to the root cause: our love for sugar and its downstream effects on mood, metabolism, sex and more?

\n Is your blood sugar normal? <\/b>

\n\nMost people associate blood sugar with diabetes, but few know what is \u201cnormal.\u201d

\n\nBlood sugar levels can be checked in real time with a simple finger stick, via home glucose monitor or through wearable devices such as continuous glucose monitors (those coin-size devices you may see on people\u2019s upper arms), which provide feedback on glucose levels throughout the day.

\n\nWhat do we see when this test is done? Following is the American Diabetes Association range of reference for blood glucose levels, but they are not meant for you to diagnose yourself with diabetes. In many instances, your provider may double- or even triple-check these numbers before labeling you with \u201cdiabetes.\u201d

\n\nAll numbers should be evaluated by your health care provider.

\n\nFasting blood sugar (no food for at least eight hours prior):

\n\n
  • Normal: below 100 mg\/dL (milligrams per deciliter) <\/li>
  • \n Prediabetes: 100 to 125 mg\/dL<\/li>
  • \n Diabetes: 126 mg\/dL or higher<\/li><\/ul>

    \n\nRandom blood sugar (taken any time of day):

    \n\n Diabetes is often diagnosed if levels are 200 mg\/dL or higher with symptoms.

    \n\nThe point-of-care glucose test gives a snapshot, but there\u2019s one lab that tells the full story \u2014 the hemoglobin A1c.

    \n What is hemoglobin A1c, and why does it matter? <\/b>

    \n\nThis blood test measures the percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood that have glucose attached to it \u2014 giving you and your health care providers a picture of your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. This makes it a reliable indicator of how well your body manages glucose over time.

    \n\nHere\u2019s how the American Diabetes Association breaks it down:

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    • Normal: A1c below\u202f5.7%<\/li>
    • \n Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%<\/li>
    • \n Diabetes: 6.5% or higher<\/li><\/ul>

      \n\nIn my work as a surgeon, checking A1c before any procedure \u2014 especially those involving implants \u2014 is standard practice. Elevated A1c levels are strongly linked to poor recovery, infection risks and surgical complications. So, whether it\u2019s a major urologic procedure or something else, keeping your glucose in check matters more than most people realize.

      \n What high blood sugar does to your sex life<\/b>

      \n\nSexual health is rarely the first thing people associate with blood sugar, but chronically high glucose levels can have an impact on intimacy \u2014 for everyone.

      \n\nIn men, high blood sugar can damage the nerves and blood vessels essential for achieving and maintaining erections. Over time, this can present as erectile dysfunction, before a man is ever diagnosed with or thought to be at risk for diabetes. High blood sugar can also lower testosterone levels, which then reduce libido and energy.

      \n\nMany of my patients who do not get routine screenings from their primary care providers come to see me because of changes in sexual performance \u2014 only to later discover their blood sugar is out of control. For these patients, their first clue that something was wrong wasn\u2019t thirst, weight changes or fatigue (the more common early signs of diabetes) \u2014 it was trouble in the bedroom.

      \n\nIn women, high blood sugar can lead to reduced blood flow and hormone imbalances, which may cause vaginal dryness, painful sex or problems with orgasm. It can also increase the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections, which can make intimacy painful or less appealing. Many women can feel frustrated and confused about whether these changes are expected from aging, post-menopause, stress or something else. A poor sugar level is usually the last thing on their mind.

      \n How high blood sugar is treated<\/b>

      \n\nDiabetes is incredibly common \u2014 about 38 million Americans have it \u2014 and nearly 1 in 4 don\u2019t even know it, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\n\nTraditionally, diabetes treatment started with oral medications like metformin, which helps lower glucose by reducing sugar production in the liver. Other classes of pills work in different ways, either by increasing insulin release or helping the kidneys flush out excess sugar. These medications are typically prescribed for people in the earlier stages of diabetes or with mildly elevated A1c.

      \n\nInjectable medications may be necessary when oral pills aren\u2019t enough to treat the disease. For years, that often meant daily insulin injections, which many patients found to be burdensome but necessary. Insulin needs to be carefully timed with meals, and dosing can be tricky. There\u2019s also a real fear of low blood sugar episodes, which can make some people hesitant to start or stick with the therapy.

      \n\nOver the past few years, GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs have become part of many people\u2019s treatment regimens. This class of medication is known by names like semaglutide, liraglutide and tirzepatide. These injections mimic a natural hormone in your body that helps regulate blood sugar, slows down digestion and make you feel fuller faster.

      \nWhile they were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, they\u2019ve gained worldwide attention for helping people lose weight. In fact, many patients now ask and get these medications before any other option \u2014 not just to manage blood sugar, but to lose weight.

      \n Better control over sugar can improve testosterone<\/b>

      \n\nThese medications also may help normalize testosterone levels in men with obesity or type 2 diabetes, according to preliminary research presented at the Endocrine Society\u2019s annual meeting this week.

      \n\nResearchers tracked 110 men who were prescribed GLP-1 injections but were not taking any testosterone therapy. Over the course of 18 months, as participants lost on average about 10% of their body weight, the number of men with normal testosterone levels increased from 53% to 77%. This rise highlights how medications originally designed for diabetes and weight loss also may improve hormone levels in men.

      \n\nWhile this abstract has not yet been peer-reviewed and more research is needed, these findings add to a growing body of evidence that managing weight and blood sugar can have ripple effects across nearly every aspect of health \u2014 including testosterone, energy and sexual function.

      \n Try this harder alternative first<\/b>

      \n\nBefore turning immediately to medications, don\u2019t underestimate what consistent lifestyle changes can do, not just for your blood sugar but for your whole life.

      \n\nRegular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, supports weight loss, boosts energy and even enhances sexual function by improving blood flow and hormone balance. A balanced diet \u2014 one that\u2019s rich in whole foods, fiber and lean protein \u2014 can stabilize blood sugar and reduce inflammation that contributes to chronic disease. Better sleep, reduced alcohol and managing stress all play a role, too.

      \n\nSo, if you\u2019re debating between an injection or a new routine, maybe this time reach for the gym bag before you try anything else. You might just find it changes more than your labs. It might change how you feel about yourself.

      \n\nAs for me, the next time I help myself to that scoop of ice cream while writing, I\u2019ll remember that it\u2019s not just about my waistline \u2014 it\u2019s about my energy, my heart and my sexual health. And now that I\u2019m done with this article, I\u2019ll pick up my gym bag and walk the walk (to the gym) that I\u2019m talking here.


      \n\nContributor: Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt \u2013 CNN Health<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Sugar, Sex and Your Health: The Connection You Might be Ignoring When most of us think about sugar, I bet we\u2019re not thinking about our sex lives. We\u2019re thinking about dessert. I\u2019m writing this with the help of a bowl of vanilla ice cream by my side. Sugar makes us feel good in the moment, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,4,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health","category-lifestyle","category-nutrition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3458"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3458\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3462,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3458\/revisions\/3462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}