Does menopause women are more prone to Diabetes? As we all know how diabetes hits hard in women after menopause. There are many hormonal changes taking place after menopause, which triggers changes in blood sugar levels. A women after menopause this experiences highs and lows in sugar levels and mood swings.
In United States, nearly 45 to 50 % of the women population suffers from type 2 Diabetes. These women are mostly above 40 years of age and obese. Type 2 Diabetes is usually attributed to family history of type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, PCOD, cardiovascular disease etc.
Triggers leading to Diabetes after menopause:
- History of cardiovascular disease.
- High blood pressure
- Hormonal imbalance
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Alcoholism
- Drug abuse
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Lack of exercise
- Hypothyroidism
Usually women suffering from Diabetes during their menopause can sweep to complications of Diabetes if blood sugar levels go uncontrolled. Going into depression during Diabetes and menopause is very common amonst old women. Mood swings also play a very important part in women suffering from Diabetes.
Have you noticed your blood glucose levels fluctuate when your period is approaching, or that you crave sweets, chocolate or other carb-heavy foods when it’s that time of the month. But when your menstrual cycle seems to be going haywire, with a heavier, lighter, or more irregular flow and you’re approaching midlife?
Perimenopause is the body’s transition to menopause, when the reproductive process permanently ends. One could be experiencing perimenopause, the time when a woman’s body decreases hormone production and when egg production slows down. During this shift, there are high chances of diabetes and menopause complicating each other.
Levels of the hormone oestrogen decrease, causes the ovaries to stop producing an egg each month (ovulation). Reduced oestrogen hormone can result in women experiencing hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and vaginal dryness. Not all women will experience the same symptoms, but there are some symptoms which are common like hot flushes, sleep disorders, infections, obesity and sexual dysfunction.
Some useful tips to keep Diabetes at Bay in women after menopause:
There are many ways to reduce your risk of diabetes and the risk of diabetes complications:
- Do weight-bearing exercise
- Exercise more in general
- For women with osteoporosis, use of bisphosphonate medication may cut the need for insulin
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Increase sources of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet with fatty fishes (such as salmon, mackerel, sardines) or plant-based sources (such as soy, canola oil, flax seeds, and walnuts)
- Control your weight
- Improve your life style by eating healthy low fat food, fruits, vegetables, high fibre diet like salads.
- Regularly test your sugar levels especially when you have hot flushes, irritability, infections, sleep disturbances. If your blood sugar levels is not coming in control then one should consult your diabetologist to either increase your diabetes medicine dose or change your diabetes medication.
- For vaginal dryness, leading to sexual dysfunction try using vaginal lubricant and antifungals for infections.
- Being overweight can invite cardiovascular risks, one should get evaluated cholesterol levels.
- During menopause, there is loss of calcium from the bones especially after 45 years of age. There is thinning of the bones, where the chances of fracture are high. Vitamin D supplements along with calcium serves the purpose during manopause.
Hence we conclude that one should not take Diabetes during menopause lightly. I would recommend women to adopt healthy and active lifestyle for better living.
hope you like this article and share it with your elderly contacts.
Have a great day.
Dr. Nikhil Prabhu ( Diabetes Specialist )
Dr Nikhil Prabhu is a consultant Diabetologist from mumbai. he has been practicing for more than 10 years and currently over 7000 patients are under his treatment for diabetes and thyroid disorder from mumbai and navi mumbai area. | you can book his appointment for tele-consultation on 9082523295 | follow us on YouTube for more diabetes & health related tips
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