Adequate Exercise Improves Inflammatory, Gonadal Markers and Sexual Function in Type 2 Diabetics

Background: Sexual dysfunction is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome and its components, obesity, androgens, endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, which are influenced positively by physical activity. Therefore, an increase in physical activity is expected to improve the sexual function of people with diabetes. The study seeks to find the association between daily routine exercise and sexual function in diabetic men.

Methods: Heterosexually active type II diabetic men were categorized based on whether they were engaged in some form of exercise or not. Sexual function and sexual quality were assessed using the GRISS-M and SQoL-M respectively, while blood samples for lipid profiling and testosterone estimation were obtained in the fasting state.

Results: The levels of testosterone were significantly higher among those who were engaged in some form of exercise compared to those who were not engaged in any form of exercise. In effect, better lipid profile markers, sexual function and adiponectin levels were recorded among participants who engaged in some form of exercise over those who were not engaged in any form of exercise.

Conclusion: Exercise may be an interventional approach to improving lipid profile indices and sexual quality in type II diabetic men.