Hormones and Menopause affects on Diabetes

I went to the doctor today.  She is a lovely woman who is very concerned with the affects that my menopause is having on my Diabetes.  I did not really coordinate the two going hand in hand on some of the things that have been plaguing me lately.  Now I have a little more understanding of what is going on with my Diabetes that I did not understand before.

Changes in blood sugar level. The hormones estrogen and progesterone affect how your cells respond to insulin. After menopause, changes in your hormone levels can trigger fluctuations in your blood sugar level. You may notice that your blood sugar level is more variable or less predictable than before. If your blood sugar gets out of control, you have a higher risk of diabetes complications.
Source:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/DA00038

Weight gain in the menopausal  woman can create a need to increase our Insulin or our Diabetic Medications.  Our bodies fluctuation in hormones and the imbalances create a need for adjustments in our medications sometimes.

Often when we are post menopausal a drop in the estrogen that our body produces creates a better environment to bread bacteria such as candida or yeast, which creates yeast infections and options for Uti's or Urinary Tract Infections which if left untreated can cause kidney infections, this becomes very dangerous but along with that it also creates instabilities in in our blood glucose levels.  It is important to watch our sugars and also maintain good hygiene and keep well hydrated.

I am to frequently aware of , the lack of sleep do to night sweats, hot flashes which you just can not sleep through very well.  It makes our blood sugar hard to maintain and keep in control.  Our body is under stress not only from the lack of the hormone but because our body is in need of good rest and hydration.  I keep a large water bottle right next to my bed and I drink at least 36 ounces during the night.  Sleep is difficult but you can find great over the counter supplements and exercise that will help you manage some of this along with some social activities and relaxation programs will help you get better rest.  Remember the less stress the better we manage our Diabetes.

Seek help for menopausal symptoms. If you're struggling with hot flashes, vaginal dryness, decreased sexual response or other menopausal symptoms, remember that treatment is available. For example, your doctor may recommend a vaginal lubricant to restore vaginal moisture or vaginal estrogen therapy to correct thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls (vaginal atrophy). If weight gain is a problem, a registered dietitian can help you revise your meal plans. For some women, hormone therapy is an option.
Source:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/DA00038/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Its not easy for women with regular menopause, but it is even harder for us women with Diabetes.  Make sure to discuss this with your health care professional.  Let him/her know the changes and take time to journal the changes so that your doctor will have record of what you are going through.  Life changes can be difficult but managed when you keep up with your disease.

We are a community affected with something that is hard to live with but together we are a community getting healthier and living longer and better lives.  The more information we share and learn about, the better communication and understanding of Diabetes the better off we will be.  So share information and communicate with one another.

If you are interested or have an interesting topic or would like to be a guest blogger on Diabetic Day feel free to connect with me Gwen Johnson @DiabeticDay or diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.