A Study on Effects of Diabetes Mellitus on Sexual Hormones in Males and Females

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing global epidemic, with 537 million people affected worldwide, and projected to reach 784 million by 2045. India, a major contributor, has a diabetes prevalence of 11.4%. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between sexual hormones and DM to better understand its impact. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Mallareddy Medical College between for women between December 2023 and February 2024. Adults aged 20-40 with prediabetes or diabetes were included, excluding pregnant women, PCOS patients, and those on hormonal medications. Blood samples were analyzed for HbA1c, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone. Statistical analysis used Pearson/Spearman correlations. Results: The study included 100 participants, with a mean age of 35 for males and 33 for females. No significant correlation was found between HbA1c and testosterone in males (r = 0.068, p = 0.639), or estrogen (r = -0.002, p = 0.988) and progesterone (r = 0.48, p = 0.741) in females. Conclusion: The study concluded that sexual functions in diabetic patients may not be significantly influenced by testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone levels. Other factors, like neuropathy, likely contribute to sexual dysfunction. Healthcare professionals should consider the complex relationship between diabetes and sexual hormones. Further research on newly diagnosed patients is recommended.