Diabetes symptoms and effects can be similar in men and women. Infections with candida, UTIs, and vaginal dryness are among conditions that women may encounter. Some folks might not even have any symptoms.
Diabetes is a collection of metabolic illnesses characterized by elevated blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels brought on by issues with the production or utilization of the hormone insulin. Insulin is necessary for your body to produce and use the energy that comes from the carbohydrates you eat.
There are three common types:
- The most prevalent kind of diabetes, type 2, is brought on by an improper utilization of insulin by the body.
- Type 1 diabetes: Autoimmune malfunction prevents your body from producing insulin.
- The condition known as gestational diabetes is brought on by pregnancy.
People of any age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, and lifestyle can be affected by diabetes. Compared to men, women are frequently more severely affected by the illness.
Symptoms of diabetes among women
Diabetes can cause many of the same symptoms in both men and women.
Some symptoms, nevertheless, are specific to women. You may be able to detect diabetes and receive treatment sooner if you are aware of these symptoms.
The severity of your blood sugar level determines the symptoms of diabetes. Some people may not exhibit symptoms, particularly if they have type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or prediabetes. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are typically more severe and appear more soon.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes symptoms include the following:
- Ketones are present in the urine. When there is insufficient insulin available, muscle and fat break down, producing ketones as a consequence.
- Feeling thirstier than normal.
- Urinating often.
- Acquiring numerous infections, including vaginal, skin, and mouth infections.
- Having sores that don’t heal quickly.
- Experiencing mood swings or becoming angry.
- Losing weight without making an effort.
Diabetes type 1 can strike at any age. However, it usually begins in childhood or adolescence. The more prevalent kind of diabetes, type 2, can appear at any age. People over 40 are more likely to have type 2 diabetes. However, the number of children with type 2 diabetes is rising.
When to see a doctor
- If you suspect diabetes in yourself or your child. Get in touch with your healthcare practitioner if you observe any potential signs of diabetes. Treatment can start sooner if the disease is identified early.
- If diabetes has already been identified in you. You will require careful medical monitoring following your diagnosis until your blood sugar levels return to normal.
Women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes during pregnancy
Usually, type 1 diabetes first appears in childhood. Adulthood is usually when type 2 diabetes first appears. Pregestational diabetes is the term for one of these disorders that you have prior to becoming pregnant.
If you have pregestational diabetes, you might be wondering if getting pregnant is safe.
After receiving a type 1 or type 2 diabetes diagnosis, you can undoubtedly have a healthy pregnancy. To prevent difficulties, it’s crucial to manage your disease both before and during pregnancy.
It is important to monitor your overall health and blood sugar levels both before and during pregnancy. Discuss with your physician how to best manage the health of both you and your unborn child.
It’s best to have your blood sugar levels as close to your desired range as you can before becoming pregnant. Pregnant women may have different goal blood sugar ranges than non-pregnant women.
Blood sugar and ketones are transferred to the fetus through the placenta during pregnancy. Like you, babies need sugar for energy, but if your blood sugar levels are too high, they could have congenital defects.
Unborn children that receive excessive blood sugar are at risk for:
- delays in development
- cognitive deficits
- premature birth
Causes of diabetes in women
Understanding how the body typically uses glucose is crucial to understanding diabetes.
How insulin functions
The pancreas, a gland located behind and beneath the stomach, produces the hormone insulin.
- As the blood sugar level falls, the pancreas secretes less insulin.
- Blood sugar levels are decreased by insulin.
- Insulin is released into the bloodstream by the pancreas.
The function of glucose
The cells that comprise muscles and other tissues use glucose, a sugar, as an energy source.
- The liver converts stored glycogen to glucose when blood glucose levels are low, as occurs when you haven’t eaten in a long time. This maintains your blood sugar levels within normal limits.
- Insulin facilitates the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, where it enters cells.
- Glucose is produced and stored by the liver.
- The liver and diet are the two main suppliers of glucose.
Most forms of diabetes have an unknown etiology. Sugar accumulates in the bloodstream in every situation. This results from insufficient insulin production by the pancreas. Diabetes type 1 and type 2 can be brought on by a mix of environmental and hereditary causes. What those factors might be is unknown.
Risk factors for diabetes in women
The type of diabetes determines the risk factors. All kinds may be influenced by family history. Type 1 diabetes risk can be increased by geographic location and environmental variables.
Tests for the presence of diabetic immune system cells (autoantibodies) are occasionally performed on family members of individuals with type 1 diabetes. You are more likely to get type 1 diabetes if you have certain autoantibodies. However, diabetes does not always develop in people with these autoantibodies.
Your risk of type 2 diabetes may also be increased by your race or ethnicity. Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian American individuals are among those who are more vulnerable, while the exact cause is unknown.
Obese or overweight adults are more likely to have type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Treatment for diabetes in women
Diabetes cannot be cured. After being diagnosed, your sole option is to manage your symptoms.
Women may face particular challenges when it comes to controlling their diabetes and blood sugar.
Some birth control drugs, for example, have the potential to raise blood sugar levels. Consult your physician about switching to a low-dose birth control pill in order to maintain a moderate blood sugar level.
The following describes additional strategies to help you control your diabetes.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes can also help you manage diabetes. They include:
- adhering to a personalized, well-balanced diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- working out and keeping a healthy weight
- monitoring your blood sugar levels
- if you smoke, refraining from smoking cigarettes
The most recent consensus report from the American Diabetes Association examined hundreds of scientific publications on the management of diabetes through diet and nutrition. Researchers discovered that there is no one “diabetes diet” that is effective for everyone because each person’s body reacts differently to meals, including carbohydrates.
An individual approach to diet is advised by the American Diabetes Association. Working with a certified dietitian to determine the best food selections, macronutrient combinations, and eating regimen for your objectives should be part of this.
Medications
You can take a range of drugs to control symptoms and side effects.
Although there are other novel groups of diabetes drugs available, the most popular ones for those who have just been diagnosed are as follows:
- Insulin therapy: All individuals with type 1 diabetes should receive insulin therapy.
- Metformin: This medication reduces blood sugar levels (Fortamet, Glumetza).
Alternative treatments
The advantages of alternate treatments for diabetics require more thorough investigation.
People with diabetes may benefit slightly from the following alternative treatments:
- seeds and herbs such as fenugreek, buckwheat, and sage
- nutrients such as magnesium and chromium
Before attempting any new diabetes treatments, even natural ones, speak with your doctor. They might interfere with any drugs or therapies you are already taking.