Today is international Diabetes day, So we decided to write an article on the effect of diabetes on women, so let’s dig in about it.
Did you know that diabetes affects women differently than men? It’s true! Women with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and other complications compared to men with diabetes. Diabetes can effects on women in several ways:
Sexual health
Many women will get a vaginal yeast infection at some point, but women with diabetes have a higher risk, especially if their blood sugar levels are high. Women with diabetes also have a higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). When your blood sugar is high, you may release excess sugar in your urine, which encourages yeast and bacteria to grow. What you can do: To prevent yeast infections and UTIs, keep your blood sugar levels as close to your target range as possible. Drink lots of water, wear cotton underwear, and urinate often instead of waiting until your bladder is full.
Reproductive health
If you want to have a baby, planning ahead is really important. High blood sugar can cause problems during pregnancy for you and the baby. For this reason, it is safest to make sure your blood sugar levels are in your target range before becoming pregnant. Diabetes can make it harder to get pregnant, and high blood sugar can increase your risk for:
Preeclampsia (high blood pressure)
Delivery by cesarean section (C-section)
Miscarriage or stillbirth
High blood sugar during pregnancy can cause birth defects as the baby’s organs are forming. Other risks to the baby include: Being born too early
Breathing problems or low blood sugar right after birth
What you can do: Work with your health care team to get your blood sugar levels in your target range. Healthy eating and being active can help you manage your blood sugar levels. Monitor often as your blood sugar can quickly change.
Diabetes and menopause
After menopause, your body makes less estrogen, which can cause unpredictable ups and downs in blood sugar. You may gain weight, which increases your need for insulin or other diabetes medicines. Hot flashes and night sweats may disrupt your sleep, making managing blood sugar harder. This is also a time when sexual problems can occur, such as vaginal dryness or nerve damage. What you can do: Ask your doctor about ways you can manage menopause symptoms. If your blood sugar levels have changed, your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medicines. Heart disease risk goes up after menopause, so make healthy lifestyle choices. These behavior changes like healthy eating and being active help to manage both diabetes and heart disease risks.
author: Faeze Aghamohammady