OBJECTIVE -To estimate the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in diabetic and nondiabetic Jordanian women.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -Data were collected from 1,137 married women using the Arabic translation of the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire.RESULTS -Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in diabetic women 50 years of age or older was 59.6 vs. 45.6% in nondiabetic women (P ϭ 0.003). Diabetic women had more dysfunction of desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm than nondiabetic women. Glycemic control, smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, autonomic neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy did not have a significant effect on FSD. Age, BMI, duration of diabetes, and the presence of coronary artery disease, nephropathy, and retinopathy had negative effects on FSD.CONCLUSIONS -Prevalence of FSD among Jordanian women was found to be significantly higher in diabetic compared with nondiabetic women. Diabetes Care 31:1580-1581, 2008F emale sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common problem, affecting 30 -78% of women (1). The prevalence in diabetic women is estimated to be 20 -80% (2). In Arab countries, there has only been one report that addresses this issue (1). Islam, the religion of the vast majority of Arab countries, is a very open religion regarding sexual relations, but tribal and social attitudes toward sex are widely different and sometimes reach the level of taboo. In Jordan, talking about sex openly is not easy. However, when talking about sex in a professional setting, women are very self-aware (3).FSD is defined as disorders of libido, arousal, orgasm, and sexual pain that lead to personal distress or interpersonal difficulties. It is multifactorial in etiology with physiological and psychological roots (4). In the 1950s, sexual dysfunction in diabetic men caught attention, but sexual dysfunction in women remained entirely neglected until Kolodny's article in 1971 (5).Diabetic women are prone to experience decreased sexual desire, dyspareunia, decreased sexual arousal, and inadequate lubrication (8). There are few studies of sexual dysfunction in normal and diabetic women in Arab countries, and Jordan is no exception. The purpose of this study was to address this issue in Jordan. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -Between October 2006and August 2007, 1,137 married women were studied at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics (NCDEG) in Amman, Jordan. Women were grouped into a diabetic married group (n ϭ 613) and a nondiabetic married group (n ϭ 524). Diabetic women were those attending the Diabetes and Endocrinology clinics at the NCDEG, and nondiabetic women were their female companions and health workers at the center. Divorced, widowed, seriously ill, pregnant, or lactating women and those on contraceptive pills were excluded. The study was approved by the ethics committee at the NCDEG. All women were invited to attend a face-to-face interview with one of our female authors. Privacy and confidentiality were assured. The structured interviews were based on the19-item Female ...

Introduction: Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP) is the most common medical disorder complicating pregnancy. This includes women who have pre-existing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and those diagnosed to have gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), with glucose intolerance identified for the first time in pregnancy. In the Middle East and North Africa region, the prevalence of DM in women of reproductive age group is high and it varies widely between different regions due to variation in screening and diagnostic criteria for the identification of GDM. Universal blood glucose screening at first antenatal booking visit helps in identifying women with HIP. Women who are screen negative at first antenatal should subsequently be screened with a fasting oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) around 24-28 weeks to identify GDM. There is a clear evidence that the identification and management of hyperglycaemia improves pregnancy outcomes. Antenatal care involves more visits as these women are at higher risk of fetal malformations, preterm labour and stillbirth. Timing of delivery is based on glycaemic control, fetal wellbeing, and the presence of co-morbidities. Objective: The objective of this article is to provide guidelines regarding the management of hyperglycemia in pregnancy. Materials and Methods: These recommendations are made after reviewing various existing guidelines including American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American College of Sports Medicine. A literature search was done using PubMed, Cochrane Database, Google Scholar, EMBASE, various systematic reviews, and original articles. Search was done using key words “Hyperglycemia in pregnancy,” “gestational diabetes mellitus,” and “diabetes in pregnancy.” Conclusion: Hyperglycemia in pregnancy can be managed effectively if appropriate measures are taken and potential consequences can be avoided.