How Menopause Can Affect Diabetes Control in Women - Dr Meena Muthiah

Menopause is the phase when women stop menstruation permanently (which is after 12 months without a period), ovaries stop releasing eggs, and women can no longer get pregnant.

During this phase, there is a decline in estrogen in the body, which is a major hormonal change that may lead to less response to insulin – which is otherwise considered normal.

Menopause does not cause diabetes. It can affect diabetes control in many menopausal women with diabetes. Less response to insulin occurs, especially if women have more weight around the waist and/or associated blood pressure, which can cause a fluctuation in sugar levels.

Weight gain can occur due to a decrease in metabolism, which is the major contributing factor behind the reduction of the efficiency of insulin release. In such instances, cells do not respond, resulting in improper utilization of glucose by the cells.

So, how do we deal with sugar control in menopausal women?

A few simple steps can be easily practised to cope with blood sugar management.

Lifestyle Choices:

Firstly, if they are smokers, quitting smoking is important. Regular physical activity helps the body to use insulin efficiently. It decreases the risk of early onset of type 2 diabetes for non-diabetics.

For diabetes patients, physical activity can stabilize their sugar levels and decrease the risk of heart disease. Exercise can also help regain muscle mass in women and boost bone strength, as they are more prone to bone loss and muscle weakness than their male counterparts.

Role of Estrogen in Women & Hormone Replacement Therapy:

Estrogen is a beneficial hormone in women of reproductive age group – it helps to widen blood vessels, ensures normal blood flow, and reduces the onset of blood pressure.

It protects women against various diseases and infections. After menopause, as the estrogen levels drop, blood vessels lose elasticity, become stiff, and may form plaques, if there is a family history of high cholesterol or BP. This added risk of blood pressure predisposes them to heart disease.

For menopausal women, estrogen be replaced in the form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There are different methods and options for HRT, which need to be carefully tailored according to the patient’s specific health considerations, especially if there is a positive family study of cancers like breast, ovary, and endometrium cancer, or even stroke. Your gynaecologist will decide on HRT after evaluating all factors.

Dietary Choices:

Another important factor to consider is healthy eating habits. Menopausal women should be careful in choosing what they eat every day. It is necessary to cut down on refined and processed food and replace them with fruits and vegetables, which consist of more fibre and whole grains, to help maintain sugar levels.

Before scheduling an appointment with a doctor, women should spend some time noting queries they may have and discuss them with their gynaecologists. It is important to know when to seek support and advice in post-menopausal-related changes in the body.

This can help improve overall health, including bone strength, heart health, weight regulation, and prevention of complications associated with diabetes like recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are more common during menopause.