How Diabetes Affects Women

March 8, 2016

On this special day, celebrate life. Take a break from your busy schedule. Let your hair down, have fun and do what your heart says. Cuz today is your day. Have a great Women’s Day!

International Women’s Day is the time to reflect on the impact of diabetes on women. In India, more than 65.1 million people are with the diabetes and approximately half of these people are women and it is a leading cause of death.

Diabetes Mellitus impacts overall health of the women because women lead such a busy life with erratic schedule, may find it hard to keep up a regular exercise schedule, they often skip their meals and neglect their health needs.

HOW DIABETES AFFECTS WOMEN

Matters of the heart: The genetic make-up of women makes them less likely to suffer heart attacks compared to their male counterparts. However, diabetes strips women of this advantage, making them more susceptible to an attack than men with the disease. In addition, the attacks are also more fatal. Further, while premenopausal women are generally considered less likely to suffer from a heart attack, this advantage too is nullified in young women suffering from diabetes.

Between the sheets: Although the effects of diabetes on the sexual health of men are fairly well-known, diabetic women’s sexual performance is a topic less discussed. High sugar levels in women affect vaginal lubrication, which in turn can make sex extremely uncomfortable. The Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston reveals that over one third of women suffering from diabetes may experience some form of sexual dysfunction, which may include pain, dryness and even lack of interest.

“Vaginitis, a condition of inflammation in the vagina, is common among diabetic women due to the high sugar levels released through the body fluids. It may often cause itching and swellings, which may again affect a woman’s sexual life,” adding that these manifestations, in addition to other symptoms like increased thirst and unnatural weight loss, must trigger an alarm in women who do not suffer from the condition and push them to get screened for diabetes.

Vascular dementia: While the risk of developing vascular dementia is higher among Type 2 diabetics in general, a disparity in gender makes diabetic women more vulnerable to it than men.
Women with diabetes develop heart disease more often than other women.
Women with diabetes have lower levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol (good cholesterol) and higher levels of triglycerides in the blood.
Elevated low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol is a major cause of heart diseases and it should be treated immediately.

 

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): Special Concerns

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a severe and neglected threat that affects women and the unborn child. The age of onset has shifted down a generation to people of working age and more recently, adolescents. As a consequence, more women of reproductive age have diabetes and more pregnancies are complicated by diabetes, diagnosed either before or during the pregnancy. Once the baby is born, the blood glucose are most likely return to normal but there is an increased risk that a women could develop type 2 diabetes later in life. It is important to have your fasting blood glucose checked about 6 weeks after delivery and annually thereafter.

 

Diabetes and Menopause:

Menopause is another factor causing altered blood glucose levels. Menopause leads to reduction in the estrogens and progesterone levels which can affect women in various ways such as mood swings, increased premenstrual syndrome and menstrual periods that are more or frequent, these hormonal changes can affect women with diabetes and lead to high blood glucose levels.

 

Here are some easy tips which can help to stay healthy:

  • Eat small frequent meals as opposed to large heavy meals
  • Eating a healthy, well balanced diet, managing your weight gain and being physically active can help control your blood glucose
  • Consume more whole grains, cereals, vegetables and fruits as they are rich in fiber, help to release blood glucose levels slowly
  • Have healthy foods easily available at home: Stock your kitchen with ready or easy to eat raw vegetables such as carrots, cucumber and fruits
  • When you are tired but hungry have nuts such as almonds, walnuts, apricots which can boost your energy and provides with good quality proteins, essential fatty acids as well
  • During a menopausal transition women can benefit from consuming more beans, chick peas, soy and its products, which can reduce the discomfort associated with menopause as these foods contain natural phytoestrogens (plan sterols)
  • Reduce the intake of caffeine such as coffee, tea or alcohol
  • Regular fluid intake is also essential to avoid dehydration during the day
  • Maintain or achieve your healthy body weight. Balancing food intake with activity levels is the best way to maintain or reduce excess body weight, also helpful in maintaining normal blood glucose levels and to lead a normal healthy life

Wellness Diabetes celebrates this occasion for you with a couple of recipes.