Managing diabetes during menopause: What to know

The journey toward menopause is marked by change. If you're also managing diabetes, it can be a time to listen more closely to what your body is telling you. By focusing on your well-being and making a few simple changes, you can keep your blood sugar steady while embracing this transition with confidence.

The connection between menopause and diabetes

As menopause approaches, the ovaries gradually stop producing estrogen and progesterone. These hormones affect how your cells respond to the hormone that helps control blood sugar levels, called insulin.

When estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, blood sugar levels can become more unpredictable, leading to unexpected highs and lows. This can make managing diabetes more difficult.

Why understanding your symptoms is important

It's easy to mistake menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, moodiness and short-term memory loss, for symptoms of low blood sugar. But it's important to understand what's causing your symptoms. And that starts by testing your blood sugar.

Why? Here's one example: If you get a hot flash without testing your blood sugar you might assume it's from low blood sugar and get something to eat. But if the hot flash is actually a menopause symptom, that extra snack could cause your blood sugar to get too high.

The combination of menopause and diabetes also can cause other concerns, like:

• Vaginal dryness. Low estrogen and decreased blood flow can cause the vaginal walls to become thinner and drier, making them more prone to irritation and infection.
• Yeast infections. When blood sugar levels are high due to diabetes, extra glucose affects the vaginal tissues. This can create the perfect environment for yeast to grow.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Thinning of the lining of the bladder and high blood sugar increase the risk of developing UTIs.

Small changes can make a big difference

Making small, positive lifestyle changes — and understanding how menopause affects your blood sugar — can help you stay in control and feel your best.

Take these steps to manage diabetes during menopause:

• Measure your blood sugar levels often. You might need to check your blood sugar 3 or 4 times a day, and sometimes during the night. Consider keeping a log of your levels and symptoms to share with your diabetes care team.
• Ask about your diabetes medicines. Because of changes in your hormone levels, metabolism or insulin sensitivity, your care team may recommend adjusting your diabetes management plan.
• Protect your heart. People who have diabetes are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. High levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol add to this risk — and so does menopause. Ask your care team about a cholesterol-lowering medicine to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
• Get help with menopausal symptoms. A gynecologist or women's health specialist can help you manage uncomfortable symptoms, like intense hot flashes or painful vaginal dryness.

For women managing diabetes, the transition through menopause might require some adjustments to a normal routine. But it also can be a time of renewed focus on personal health and well-being.