Let’s Talk About Sex, Pumps + CGMs

Sex, pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)—it’s the information everyone with type 1 diabetes (T1D) wants to know but is often afraid to ask about, especially when becoming intimate for the first time or with a new partner. Similarly, partners of people with T1D can feel equally nervous about asking.

Before we rush into talking about getting physical, let’s be real—being tethered to something 24/7 is a special, intimate relationship in its own right! Remember, this one is on you, and you know it best. Own it!

This extra, let’s call it “special,” relationship can definitely make things more interesting in the bedroom, but it doesn’t have to be a a mood killer. 

Just remember, it’s natural for you and your partner to feel:

• Curious
• Concerned
• Both

That’s worth talking about.

Curiosity isn’t a bad thing in the bedroom

Curiosity is a sign your partner is interested in you and cares about and respects what’s going on with your body. Likewise, if close friends or family ask you how you navigate an insulin pump or CGM alarms during sex, it’s a sign they care about your well-being. Sexual health is health!

It’s not about oversharing. It’s about questioning something that’s very human. T1D just adds a layer, just like it does with most things in life. It’s all in your hands, too. Share as much or as little as you desire. Just be sure to share enough so you stay safe and feel comfortable during intimate moments or conversations.

Clearly communicate with your sexual partner(s) about T1D

When it comes to getting physical, if it’s your first time getting up close and personal with someone, it’s great to be open. If you’re comfortable being intimate with them, you should feel comfortable opening up and discussing your devices and diabetes management. Even if it’s casual, T1D isn’t. T1D doesn’t stop, so you may need to address it during an intimate moment, regardless of the relationship’s depth.

Communication is key! Show or tell them that your devices don’t hurt to wear. Also, explain that there will be no serious consequences if you temporarily remove your insulin pump or your CGM gets bumped during sex. Sure it’s frustrating, but everything will be okay. 

Just remember to put your insulin pump back on afterward if you do have to remove it during intercourse. And if your CGM does fall off, don’t forget to replace it and use a blood glucose meter (BGM) to check your levels while you wait for it to warm up.

Talking about your diabetes could also be a great way to bring your relationship to the next level. It opens the door to getting to know your partner and to them getting to know you mentally. An emotional connection can also enhance physical moments. By communicating clearly and openly, you can also set boundaries so you both feel safe enjoying the moment together. 

To stay connected or disconnect: that’s the question

When it comes to deciding whether to stay connected or disconnect your insulin pump, that decision is entirely yours. It all comes down to your comfort level. 

What works for one person with T1D may not work for another, so this is where you should leverage your diabadass superpowers and trust your gut. You may hear or see T1D community members discussing this topic online. Some people love the freedom of being disconnected during sex, while others feel super anxious and nervous, unable to concentrate and be present. 

There’s no one right way to answer this question, and it may require some exploration. Be open to trying different things to see what works for you. And don’t forget to have fun while you do it! This is just one of life’s lessons no one can fully prepare you for. You have to experience it yourself. It may feel scary at first, but you will be okay.

Placement matters

If you wear a tubeless insulin pump, you don’t have to worry so much about the question above, but you should be mindful of how your placement affects intimate moments. If you are sexually active, you may consider using areas that are less vulnerable during intimacy.

Some T1D community members recommend the following placement spots with this in mind:

• Lower hip
• Lower back or upper buttocks
• Thighs
• Back of the arms

Again, finding the best placement during sex may require some experimentation, so enjoy the process of learning what works best for your body during these moments. And don’t freak out if you experience a failure or if it comes off. Yes, it’s easier said than done, but if that does happen, it will be a lesson you won’t forget and a mistake you won’t repeat. 

Don’t freak out if your diabetes devices fail or fall off during sex

Things happen in the heat of the moment, and while it can be a buzzkill, it’s not uncommon. You can laugh it off after a few expletives! Still, prevention is important. There are ways you can reduce the chances of this happening.

To avoid having your CGM or insulin pump fall off during sex, consider:

• Thoroughly clean and dry the area before placement
• Applying light pressure to the device during placement
• Avoiding rigorous activity or sweating for 60 to 90 minutes after placement
• Using Skin Tac
• Investing in and using over patches

All of these methods help keep your diabetes devices in place during intimacy and day-to-day life. A win’s a win!

When CGMs sound off: what should you do?

While CGM alarms are wonderfully helpful in life with T1D, the last time you want to hear them is during sex. If it beeps or buzzes during sex, it can be a mood killer. While high blood sugars aren’t urgent, stopping to treat lows is always a good idea. Yes, even during sex!

Always keep low blood sugar treats near your bedside for this reason, or nearby if you’re at a partner’s place. Sometimes, sexual partners even enjoy this part of being with a person with T1D. Snacks and sex? Yes, please! That’s a vibe.

Follow the standard low blood sugar recovery protocol, then get back to it (if you so choose). You can also try to prevent low blood sugar episodes by anticipating them and having a snack beforehand to help stabilize your blood sugar. (CGMs help a lot with this!) Of course, T1D shouldn’t stop you from being spontaneous, but sometimes a little planning can go a long way toward improving comfort, confidence and presence during these moments.

Go above and beyond by training your partner to help you during a low. Always let them know a low could happen and how to help if it does. Yeah, it can be awkward when you’re getting to know them, but it can also be an entryway to something deeper. (No pun intended.)

Sex and T1D: it’s only awkward if you make it that way

Like most things in life with T1D, T1D only becomes the main character if you let it. You can let it ruin your life as much or as little as you want, either by embracing it or pushing it away. When you learn to lean in and work with it, you’ll be all the better for it. You’ll see that reflected in life’s most human moments, including physical connections with another person.

Sex can be awkward for everyone when you’re first starting out or with a new partner. Remember that, too. The more you experience it, the more comfortable you’ll become. With all your experience with T1D, remember you’re the expert and you own your T1D. It’s not the other way around!

Showing up in the bedroom with that level of confidence and sense of self? Honey, that’ll get you places you’ve never been before!

Are you newly diagnosed with diabetes, or do you want to empower yourself more in managing it? It’s time to thrive out loud! Download our Beyond Diagnosis guides to start soaring in your management and inner confidence.