Ask the Diabetes Educator Archive

Q:
Can diabetes be transmitted through sex? And, If I'm on birth control, can the insulin and birth control be taken at once?

A:
No, diabetes is not transmitted via sex. As for insulin/birth control interactions, generally there isn't one. However, your healthcare practitioner would be the one to discuss this with. Birth control pills can have many side effects; raising blood pressure is one of them. Age and other chronic conditions would definitely be a consideration. Also, birth control pills lower some of your B vitamins, folic acid in particular. Vitamin E is also compromised. Nutritional supplementation is helpful here. Start with a comprehensive multiple vitamin and essential fatty acids. Of course, eating as healthfully as you can is always the important start