An observational study in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) and Hypoglycemia, sponsored by Medical University of Warsaw. Recruiting at 1 site in Poland. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-12-16.
Sponsored by Medical University of Warsaw · Observational
This observational study examines whether sexual activity influences the risk of hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes treated with insulin therapy and using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Many patients report fear of hypoglycemia during or after sexual activity, which may affect their quality of life and willingness to engage in intimate relationships. However, no systematic research has been conducted on this topic, largely due to the sensitive nature of sexual health and the previous lack of tools to remotely monitor glucose profiles.
The study uses CGM systems (LibreView or Dexcom Clarity) to evaluate glucose changes during and up to 6 hours after sexual activity. Participants will mark the start of sexual activity in their CGM application using a neutral symbol (such as a heart icon). Data will be collected remotely through secure, certified platforms without the need for discussing details of intimate life. Glucose profiles from days with and without sexual activity will be compared. Each participant will be observed for 3 months.
The study will include 100 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who use CGM and insulin therapy. By analyzing episodes of glucose levels below 70 mg/dL during or after sexual activity, the study aims to determine whether sexual activity is associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Findings may help to better understand patient concerns, reduce unnecessary fear, and develop future clinical recommendations for safe sexual activity in individuals treated with insulin.
Sexual health is an integral component of overall well-being and quality of life, including for adults living with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Despite its importance, sexual health is often overlooked in clinical practice. Health care professionals rarely initiate conversations about sexual functioning due to limited training, lack of tools, or concern about patient discomfort. At the same time, many patients with diabetes report fear of hypoglycemia during or after sexual activity, and partners frequently share similar concerns. These fears may lead to reduced sexual activity and diminished quality of life.
Hypoglycemia remains one of the most common and clinically significant complications of insulin therapy. Glucose levels below 70 mg/dL require prompt intake of carbohydrates or adjustment of glucose-lowering treatment to prevent further decline. Physical exertion- including sexual activity-may lead to early or delayed hypoglycemia, occurring even several hours after the activity. On the other hand, emotional excitement during sexual activity may trigger counter-regulatory hormones such as adrenaline or cortisol, potentially causing hyperglycemia. Despite these observations, no systematic study has evaluated the relationship between sexual activity and glucose fluctuations in adults with diabetes. Historically, such research was hindered by the intimate nature of the subject and the absence of remote monitoring tools.
The introduction of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, together with cloud-based platforms such as LibreView and Dexcom Clarity, enables the remote and secure assessment of glucose trends without requiring direct discussion of intimate details. This study leverages these technologies to evaluate whether sexual activity increases the risk of hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes treated with insulin.
Each participant will be observed for 3 months. Participants will mark the beginning of sexual activity within their CGM application using a neutral icon (e.g., a heart symbol). Glucose trends during and for up to 6 hours following the activity will be analyzed and compared to glucose profiles from days without sexual activity. Health care providers will also complete a brief online form with basic clinical information about each participant, including age, diabetes type, disease duration, treatment regimen, and CGM system used.
The study aims to enroll 100 adults. This pragmatic sample size reflects the exploratory nature of the project and the absence of prior research in this area. Based on general population estimates, participants are expected to report an average of approximately 10 episodes of sexual activity over the 3-month observation period. The primary endpoint is the proportion of sexual activity episodes associated with hypoglycemia, defined as glucose levels below 70 mg/dL occurring during or after the activity.
All data will be anonymized. Each patient will receive a unique study code that does not contain personal identifiers. Only the principal investigator and scientific supervisor will have access to the code key. Glucose data and sexual activity markers will be exported from CGM applications in encrypted form and analyzed exclusively in de-identified datasets. After completion of the study and statistical analysis, all data will be securely deleted according to institutional procedures.
The results of this study may provide the first empirical evidence on the relationship between sexual activity and hypoglycemia risk in individuals using insulin therapy. If a relationship is confirmed, the findings may guide future recommendations to improve safety around sexual activity. If no association is found, the results may help reduce unnecessary anxiety among patients and improve open communication in clinical practice.
3,754 studies on the registry are indexed under Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; 600 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 100 is below the median of 125 across 792 observational studies indexed under Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1.
Browse Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 studies →Medical University of Warsaw is the lead sponsor of 326 studies on the registry; 87 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin therapy. Participants will be recruited from diabetes clinics and outpatient practices. All participants must be willing to record sexual activity in the CGM application and share anonymized CGM data for analysis.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes treated with insulin therapy and using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Participants are observed for 3 months. They mark sexual activity in their CGM application, and glucose values during and up to 6 hours after the activity are analyzed and compared with glucose data from days without sexual activity.
Other: No intervention
This is an observational study. No intervention is assigned. Participants continue their usual insulin therapy and self-management. Sexual activity is self-initiated and only marked within the CGM application for observational purposes
Proportion of Sexual Activity Episodes Associated With Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is defined as a glucose value below 70 mg/dL occurring during sexual activity or within 6 hours after its completion. Episodes will be identified through CGM data, using participant-marked sexual activity timestamps. Each sexual activity event will be analyzed for the presence or absence of hypoglycemia, and the proportion of events associated with hypoglycemia will be calculated.
Time frame: 3 months per participant
Frequency of Hypoglycemia on Sexual Activity Days vs. Non-Activity Days
Comparison of the number of hypoglycemic episodes (glucose \<70 mg/dL) during sexual activity and within 6 hours afterward versus matched time intervals on days without sexual activity. Glucose values will be obtained from CGM reports.
Time frame: 3 months per participant
Mean Glucose Level During and After Sexual Activity
Mean interstitial glucose during sexual activity and up to 6 hours after its completion, compared with mean glucose levels on matched control days without sexual activity, based on CGM data.
Time frame: 3 months per participant
Number of Sexual Activity Episodes Recorded per Participant
Total number of sexual activity episodes marked by each participant in the CGM application during the 3-month observation period. This serves as a feasibility and compliance indicator for event recording in a sensitive clinical context.
Time frame: 3 months per participant
Proportion of Participants Completing the Full Observation Period With at Least One Recorded Sexual Activity Episode
Proportion of enrolled participants who complete the 3-month observation period and record at least one episode of sexual activity in the CGM app. This outcome assesses feasibility, retention, and participant engagement.
Time frame: 3 months per participant
Plan to share: No
Started Jul 2025 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Jul 2028, 35 months after the start.
Of 249 non-industry observational studies under Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, half reached primary completion within 30 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 12 and three quarters within 78. This study's planned 35 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 299 studies reached it within 30 months; a quarter within 12 and three quarters within 69.
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