Menopause
| Author: Judy Kohn, RN, BSN, CDE |
| Last Updated: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 |
Q: "How does menopause affect blood sugar in type 2 patients? My sugars seem higher now that I rarely have periods. I developed type 2 two years before menopause and have had it for only 3 years. It seemed that when I used to have periods my sugar was better when I was having the period."
A:
Menopause defined:
Menopause is defined as the point at which a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 months; it is the time associated with hot flashes and other symptoms related to estrogen decline or deficiency, as well as the time of increased risk for heart disease, osteoporosis, and other chronic diseases. According to the American Diabetes Association reference, Women and Diabetes, by Poirier and Coburn, menopause occurs in the average woman around the age of 51. The time before menopause is called "peri-menopause" during which the monthly cycle becomes more irregular and menopausal symptoms begin. The time after menopause is called "post-menopause." So by what you described, you might still be in the "peri-menopause" state.
Effect of menopause on diabetes control:
The American Diabetes Association's Complete Guide to Diabetes explains that when estrogen levels are high, your body is more sensitive to insulin; in contrast, high levels of progesterone may decrease the body's sensitivity to insulin. But as the levels of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate (during peri-menopause), you might experience wide swings in your blood sugars. Not only will the fluctuating hormones possibly cause difficulty sleeping, mood swings, and foggy thinking, but also the fluctuating sugars can aggravate these symptoms.
As you progress to full menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease permanently. This means that with less estrogen you might have increased insulin resistance, and thus higher blood sugars; but with less progesterone, you may have greater insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugars. Most references on this subject say that generally women experience lower blood glucose levels after menopause, but the same references stress that this is very individual, and it is also dependent on other factors, such as weight and general physical activity.
I would encourage you to keep a good record of your blood sugars and review this with your physician.
Related Links
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
http://www.diabetes.org
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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