How Does Diabetes Affect Menopause?

Going through menopause can be challenging for any woman, but the onset of menopause often goes hand in hand with an increase in complications for women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Although no studies have produced conclusive data that confirms that menopause and diabetes definitively affect one another for a large percentage of women, there are several correlations that suggest links between menopause and diabetes.

How Can Diabetes Affect Menopause? 

Certain complications associated with diabetes can impact how women experience menopause. These differences may make menopause even more frustrating than it is for the average woman. Here are some of the most common ways a woman with diabetes might experience menopause differently than other women.

Early Menopause 

Many women with diabetes experience menopause earlier than average, which can reduce the amount of time they have to have children and require them to manage typical menopause symptoms at a younger age. While the average age for menopause to occur is around 51, it can occur as early as age 45, and women with diabetes are often more likely to begin experiencing symptoms when they are younger than average. This is true among women with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but gestational diabetes is generally a temporary condition that has not been shown to lead to early menopause. 

Increased Weight Gain 

Some weight gain is normal during menopause, but many women with diabetes or prediabetes already struggle to control their weight more than the general population. This means that these women may be at a higher risk of gaining a more significant amount of weight than average as they go through menopause and should be even more diligent about eating healthy foods and exercising regularly than they already are. 

Damaged Nerves 

Diabetes can damage a variety of nerves throughout the body, including inside the vagina. This means that vaginal dryness, a common symptom of menopause, may be even more uncomfortable for women with diabetes than it is for other women. 

How Can Menopause Affect Diabetes? 

Likewise, there are several ways in which menopause can worsen or otherwise impact diabetes. Here are some of the most common ways menopause may make managing diabetes more difficult. 

Later Menopause May Be Linked to Increased Risk of Diabetes 

Women that experience menopause later than average may be more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes past age 50. Although there is no conclusive evidence that late menopause causes diabetes or a late diabetes diagnosis will result in late menopause, there does appear to be a correlation between the women that are most likely to experience each situation. 

Higher Blood Pressure 

Many women naturally experience higher blood pressure during menopause, which can worsen the symptoms of diabetes. This can be particularly concerning for women who already struggle with high blood pressure because this combination can increase their risk of developing certain heart problems and other health concerns. 

Insulin Resistance 

Women may also become more resistant to insulin after menopause, which can make managing your blood sugar levels significantly more challenging.

Menopause and diabetes may impact one another in several ways. When it comes to women’s health, it’s important to find the right doctors and care team for you. Symptoms like brain fog can affect many aspects of your daily life – making it harder to live with diabetes. CleopatraRX has created a medication to help combat brain fog and make menopause a little easier. To learn more, fill out the form below.

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