5 differences in symptoms, risk factors for women with diabetes

This paid piece is sponsored by Avera Health.

Women often face threats from diabetes that differ from men – from the development of Type 2 diabetes to the complications it can create.

Women diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes may have different symptoms or complications with unmanaged blood sugars. Additionally, women are at risk for gestational diabetes during pregnancy, and women with diabetes also will experience increased insulin resistance during pregnancy.

“Diabetes, especially Type 2, is more common in men, but we tend to see more complications in female patients,” said Avera clinical dietitian Morgan Willard with Avera Care Coordination.

Increased risk for complications 

Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease by roughly four times in women. Heart disease remains America’s No. 1 health threat, and it is considered the most common diabetes complication. Women are also at higher risk of other diabetes-related complications, including:

• Blindness.
• Kidney disease.
• Depression.

“Diabetes is different for women. We also know some women are at higher risk of developing it. Changes in hormonal activity over the course of a woman’s life play a crucial role in shaping diabetes risks,” Willard said. “American Indian, Alaska Native and Asian/Pacific Islander women are more likely to have it. The same is true for African American as well as Hispanic/Latina women.”

Early signs of diabetes in women differ

Some early signs of diabetes include feelings of thirst or more frequent trips to the bathroom. Early symptoms more common for women are things like:

• Chronic yeast infections.
• Recurrent urinary tract infections.
• A decreased sex drive and heavier menstrual periods.
• Worsening vision or skin discoloration, especially darker areas in the neck, groin and armpits.
• Unintentional weight loss or weight gain after menopause.

While more than half of women experience UTIs, the risk is higher with diabetes because of several factors:

• High blood sugar levels.
• Poor circulation, which can impact your strength in fighting infection.
• Bladders that don’t empty completely create opportunities for bacteria to grow.

Menstrual cycles, menopause affect blood sugar

“Hormone changes may impact your blood sugar level,” Willard said.

Progesterone levels can go up in the later part of many menstrual cycles, and in turn, an increase in insulin resistance happens.

“It’s helpful for women to be aware of this fact so they can be extra mindful of diet or monitor blood sugar more closely during this part of their cycles,” Willard said.

Menopause is another time of shifting hormones. The sharp decline of the hormone estrogen can lead to changes that can affect body weight, fat distribution and how well blood sugar is processed.

“Menopause itself has not been found to raise the risk of diabetes. However, sleep disturbances, hormonal changes and weight gain can make managing blood sugar harder for older women,” Willard said.

Check with your doctor on diabetes medicine dosage. She said heart disease risk goes up after menopause, so making heart-healthy choices can help you manage.

“Stay on track by checking your blood sugar often, eating a healthy diet and being as active as possible,” Willard said. “These steps can help you be your healthiest and feel your best.”

Having a baby with diabetes can be harder

If you want to have a baby, diabetes can make it harder to get pregnant. If you have high blood sugar during the pregnancy, it’s more likely you can face conditions such as:

• Preeclampsia, or high blood pressure.
• Delivery by cesarean section.
• Miscarriage or stillbirth.

High blood sugar also can cause birth defects. “If you have high glucose while pregnant, it can increase chances of premature birth, a baby that weighs too much and creates a harder delivery,” Willard said. It also can create hazards such as babies who have breathing problems or low blood sugar shortly after birth.

Before pregnancy, women with diabetes should work closely with their health care team. Blood sugar control before conception and throughout pregnancy provides the best chance of having a healthy pregnancy and birth.

“Your blood sugar can change quickly, so it’s important to be checking blood sugar regularly,” she said. “Adjust diet, activity and medication with the help of your OB provider.”

Pregnancy changes your insulin resistance 

Healthy women without diabetes may get gestational diabetes, which causes high blood sugars during pregnancy. This type of diabetes affects 2 percent to 10 percent of pregnancies in the United States.

Women with any kind of diabetes will have increased insulin resistance during pregnancy, which makes managing blood sugars more difficult.

“In the last half of the pregnancy, insulin resistance increases considerably,” Willard added. “It can become severe, especially in women with gestational diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.”

Women at risk for gestational diabetes are often:

• Older than 25.
• Overweight or obese.
• Part of a family with Type 2 diabetes history.

“This condition often goes away after the baby is born, but about 50 percent of women with it develop Type 2 diabetes,” Willard said.

Get more wellness tips at Avera.org/Balance.