Type 2 Diabetes And Menopause How Safe Are You
Type 2 Diabetes And Menopause How Safe Are You
Menopause is that time in your life when your estrogen levels drop, your ovaries stop producing eggs, and your menstrual cycle ends.
Typically, women start menopause in their 40s or 50s.
The onset of Type 2 diabetes usually starts after age 45.
Your body makes less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, the hormones responsible for regulating your periods.
This also affects how your cells respond to insulin, the hormone that moves glucose from your bloodstream into your cells.
Menopause can lead to the following changes:
Changes in blood sugar level
A drop in estrogen and progesterone levels can trigger fluctuations in your blood sugar levels.
You may notice that your blood sugar levels fluctuate more than before.
If your blood sugar levels get out of control, you are at a greater risk of diabetes complications.
Weight gain
Weight gain is common during the menopausal transition.
Much of the weight gain is in your abdominal area.
Increased belly fat makes your body more resistant to the effects of insulin.
UTI and vaginal infections
As estrogen levels drop, it makes it easier for bacteria and yeast to thrive in the urinary tract and vagina.
Sleep problems
Hot flushes and night sweats may keep you up at night, depriving you of sleep, which can make it harder to manage your blood sugar levels.
Sexual problems
Diabetes can cause the nerves of the cells that line the vagina to be damaged, making sexual stimulation and arousal difficult.
Less vaginal lubricant is produced, causing pain during sex.
How Best to Manage Your Diabetes
Manage blood sugar
It is important to keep your blood sugar levels in your target range to keep serious health problems at bay.
Having balanced blood sugar levels can also help improve your energy levels and mood.
Adjust your diabetes medication
Hormone changes and weight gain can cause your blood sugar to rise.
You may need to adjust your medication dose or add another medication to keep your levels steady.
Eat well and maintain a healthy weight
During menopause, eating well and staying active are more important than ever, especially for managing diabetes.
Gaining weight is normal during menopause making it even harder to manage your diabetes.
Eating healthily and regularly helps to keep your blood sugar to stay in your target range.
Your diet should include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy.
Get active
Physical activity helps control blood sugar levels and lowers your risk of heart disease and nerve damage.
Check your heart health
Cardiovascular disease is more common in people with type 2 diabetes. After menopause, your heart disease risk also increases.
It’s important to do everything you can to manage heart disease risks.
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise
- Lose weight if you’re overweight
- Quit smoking
- Check your blood pressure often
- Have regular cholesterol checks
Monitor your stress levels
Your nervous system is more stressed during menopause and can make managing diabetes harder, including managing your blood sugar levels.
Hormone therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help manage several menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
Research indicates that HRT also improves insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes.
Ask your doctor if HRT will be suitable for you, as there are some risks involved.
Be aware of UTIs
If you have symptoms such as an urgent need to go, burning when you pee, or foul-smelling urine, it could be due to a drop in estrogen, which further increases your risk of infection.
A drop in estrogen causes changes in blood sugar levels which create an environment that’s favorable to the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Source
menopause.org – diabetes hits women hard at menopause
mayoclinic.org – diabetes and menopause a twin challenge
uristat.com – diabetes and UTIs
cdc.gov – Type 2 Diabetes | CDC
