Autonomic nerves go to the stomach, intestines, and other parts of the digestive system. Damage to these nerves can make food pass through the digestive system too slowly or too quickly. When nerves to the stomach are damaged, the muscles of the stomach do not work well and food may stay in the stomach too long. Gastroparesis makes it hard to keep blood sugar under control. Damage to autonomic nerves from diabetes may cause problems with having sex.
Autonomic nerves go to the penis.
Damage to these nerves can prevent a man's penis from getting firm when he wants to have sex. Many men who have had diabetes for many years experience impotence. Autonomic nerves go to the vagina. Damage to these nerves prevents a woman's vagina from getting wet when she wants to have sex. A woman might also have less feeling around her vagina.