Menopause pertains to the absence of menstrual cycles. This natural biological process doesn't only mark the end of fertility for women but it can also cause complications. However, these complications can be more dangerous for diabetic women.
The period of time leading up to menopause brings about a lot of changes in the female body -- one of which is the change in hormone levels. Since this change can affect your blood sugar level, it might also change the way your body responds to insulin. So before taking your medicine for diabetes, check the effects of menopause for diabetic women first.
Sleep Deprivation Affects Blood Sugar Levels
Hot flash is one of the symptoms of menopause. In the years leading up to menopause, you might find yourself lying in bed at night feeling hot and sweaty. The resulting sleep deprivation might affect blood sugar levels, making it difficult to manage.
Weight Gain Affects Diabetes Medication
As the hormone production of the levels the ovaries change, some women might gain weight. This results to an increase in need for insulin and other oral diabetes medication.
Change in Hormone Levels
As mentioned above, one of the changes brought upon by menopause is the change in hormone levels. The amount of estrogen and other hormones produced by the body starts to change, affecting how the body responds to insulin.
Additional Health Problems
In some cases, menopause leads to other health problems. For diabetic women, one problem they might find is the increased risk of vaginal infections. The change in hormone levels can help yeast grow more easily in the vagina, which may result to yeast infection.
Diabetic women also have a higher risk of osteoporosis and atheroclerosis as they menopause.
What Should You Do?
Menopause and diabetes might be a tough combination, but that doesn't mean that it is a losing battle. There are plenty of things diabetic women can do to be healthy despite the complications that comes with these two. Just keep the following things in mind:
Keep a Record of Your Blood Sugar Readings
Since menopause brings numerous changes in the female body, managing your blood sugar level can be difficult. You have to record your blood sugar more frequently as your doctor might need this information for future medication plans.
Coordinate with Your Doctor
There are a lot of articles on the internet that can keep you well-informed about menopause and its effect on diabetic women. However, it is still important to keep in touch with your doctor. Share with him/her the information you have gathered and discuss its possible effect on your medications.
Keep a Healthy Lifestyle
One of the things you can do to keep yourself in good condition despite the possible onslaught of added complications is to keep a healthy lifestyle. Aside from taking medications, keeping a balanced diet and exercising regularly is also advised. It does not only help with diabetes but can also have a positive effect on a postmenopausal body.
Keep in mind that while dealing with menopause as a diabetic might be challenging, there are still plenty of ways to overcome the complications this might bring. Just remember to always be vigilant to prevent the rise of further health problems.