Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1779 – Diabetes Variable: Finishing (for men)
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Jenny (frequent expert guest)
Release Date: February 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of the Juicebox Podcast dives into a sensitive and often overlooked topic: the challenges men with type 1 diabetes (T1D) may face around "finishing," or reaching orgasm/ejaculation, during sexual activity. Host Scott Benner and diabetes expert Jenny break down the biological, psychological, and lifestyle factors that can impact sexual performance and satisfaction for people with T1D. The conversation, marked by frankness and humor, also extends to female experiences and provides practical insights for listeners.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Talk About “Finishing” for Men with T1D?

• Scott introduces the topic, referencing past “variable” episodes focusing on intimate or taboo aspects of T1D life, including masturbation ([02:12]).
• Jenny reacts with good humor, acknowledging the rarity of such open conversations.

2. Underlying Causes: Medical and Biological Factors

• Control and Management: Scott raises whether difficulties with “finishing” are mainly about glucose control and insulin management ([02:23]).

• Erectile Dysfunction as a Related Issue:

  "As a baseline, I think it also goes along with erectile dysfunction." – Jenny ([02:49])

• Vascular and Nerve Issues:

  • Microvascular Damage: Diabetes can narrow or stiffen small arteries supplying the penis, causing weaker erections or difficulty reaching climax ([04:47]).
  • Neuropathy: Damaged nerves dull sensations or interfere with the signals needed for orgasm/ejaculation.

  "Nerve signals which dull sensations or messes with the nerve pathways that trigger orgasm or ejaculation..." – Scott ([04:47])

  • Autonomic Nerve Impact: Changes can cause delayed or retrograde ejaculation (semen goes into the bladder).

• Timeline:

  • These issues generally result from long-term management problems, not from newly diagnosed diabetes.

  "I don't think you'd be diagnosed today and next week this would be your issues." – Scott ([05:17])

3. Acute Factors: Blood Sugar in the Moment

• Blood sugar fluctuations during sex can have direct effects:
  • Dropping Blood Sugar: Body prioritizes basic survival over sexual response, sometimes inhibiting climax, especially if hypoglycemic ([03:54], [04:15]).

  "If blood sugar is dropping...body's responses are for preservation of overall health, not...let's just finish." – Jenny ([03:54])

  • Rapid Rise/Adrenaline: Less clear-cut impact, but adrenaline spikes could potentially interfere ([04:15]).

4. Psychological and Medication Influences

• Mental/Emotional Factors:
  • Anxiety about performance or low blood sugar can affect arousal ([06:04]).
  • Frustration with diabetes or body image can contribute to a cycle of stress and difficulty.

  "Anxiety about performance or having a low blood sugar during sex can like change your arousal..." – Scott ([06:04])

  • These factors are common, not always diabetes-specific.
• Low Testosterone: More common in men with diabetes, impacting libido and intensity ([06:26]).
• Medications: SSRIs can delay orgasm; certain drugs may compound sexual side effects.

5. Diabetes Devices and Practical Concerns

• Diabetes tech (pumps, sensors) can disrupt intimacy—needing snacks during sex, devices being knocked off, etc. ([06:42])

  "...having your device knocked around or hit or, you know, during whatever it is you're doing over there." – Scott ([06:42])

6. Female Parallels

• Most factors apply to women too:
  • Nerve and Vascular Changes: Reduced sensitivity, difficulty reaching orgasm.
  • Hormonal Fluctuations: Changes in estrogen and progesterone can alter insulin sensitivity and sexual function ([07:54]).
  • Low Estrogen (Perimenopause/Menopause): Causes dryness, pain, low libido.
  • Infections: High blood sugars can increase risk of yeast infections, UTIs, making sex uncomfortable ([08:42]).

7. Blood Sugar Management and Sex

• Physical activity can drop blood sugar; sex is compared humorously to jumping on a trampoline ([09:09]):

  "What makes your blood sugar drop faster, jumping on a trampoline or having sex?" – Scott ([09:09]) "I would expect jumping on the trampoline." – Jenny ([09:13])

• Birth control and hormonal therapies can alter glucose patterns and thus sexual experience ([09:26]).

8. Relationships and Hormonal Birth Control

• Anecdote about women losing attraction to partners after stopping the pill—suggesting subtle biochemical contributions to attraction ([09:58]):

  "There's been...studies...women who are on birth control while they're courting and then later go off it and find they're not attracted to the men that they married." – Scott ([09:58]) "That's actually been out for probably at least two years. I read that quite a while ago as well." – Jenny ([10:04])

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On the awkwardness/fun of the topic:

  "Jenny, people want to talk about finishing for men with type 1 diabetes." – Scott ([01:58])
  "You know me so well." – Jenny ([01:58])

• On the variety of causes:

  "Could be nerve damage, could be vessel damage...could actually create a problem with release." – Jenny ([03:26])

• On real-life sexual disruptions:

  "Having to stop to take off your device or having your device knocked around...kind of take you out of the moment." – Scott ([06:42])

• Humor highlight:

  "So don't have sex on the trampoline." – Jenny ([09:17])

• On shared experiences between men and women:

  "It's the same. Pretty much the same concept." – Jenny ([07:54])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:58] – Introduction of the “finishing” variable and initial reactions.
• [02:49] – Erectile dysfunction and physiological foundations.
• [03:54] – Blood sugar dropping and impact during sex.
• [04:47] – Scott details vascular/nerve issues.
• [06:04] – Mental health and the stress/anxiety loop.
• [06:42] – Practical disruptions: snacks/devices during sex.
• [07:54] – Parallel issues for women with T1D.
• [08:42] – Blood sugars, infections, and sexual discomfort for women.
• [09:09] – Activity comparison: sex vs trampoline for blood sugar.
• [09:26] – Effects of hormonal medications.
• [09:58] – Hormonal birth control and attraction anecdote.

Tone and Style

The conversation is lively, candid, and practical, with Scott and Jenny combining evidence-based information with lighthearted banter. Both speakers are mindful of audience comfort, using humor and plain language to address a sensitive topic.

Takeaway

This episode goes beyond clinical explanations, providing a thoughtful, relatable look at how diabetes intersects with sexuality for both men and women. Practical advice is woven with honest talk, helping listeners understand they’re not alone—and that many factors, from blood sugars and devices to mental wellbeing and hormones, can play a role in the bedroom.

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