Diabetes and menopause may team up for varied effects on your body:
Changes in blood-sugar level. The hormones estrogen and progesterone affect how your cells respond to insulin. After menopause, changing hormone levels can trigger fluctuations in blood-sugar levels. You may notice that your blood-sugar level is less predictable than before. If your blood sugar gets out of control, you have a higher risk of diabetes complications.
Weight gain. Some women gain weight during the menopausal transition and after menopause. This can increase the need for insulin or oral diabetes medication.
Infections. Even before menopause, high blood-sugar levels can contribute to urinary and vaginal infections. After menopause, when a drop in estrogen makes it easier for bacteria and yeast to thrive in the urinary tract and vagina, the risk is even higher.
Sleep problems. Menopause-related sleep deprivation can make it tougher to manage blood-sugar levels.
Sexual problems. Diabetes can damage the nerves of the cells lining the vagina, interfering with arousal and orgasm. Vaginal dryness, a common symptom of menopause, may compound the issue by causing pain during sex. Now is the time to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.
Here are a couple of related products that you may find of use:
Glucerna Meal Bars, Chocolate Chunk, 4 count
Glucerna Hunger Smart Shake, 12 pack
Oral Glucose Gel, Lemon Flavor (Glutose), 3x15gm
Source: National Institute on Aging
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, July 2014
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