Menopause can trigger Diabetes
There is a known fear amongst females that Women approaching menopause or those who have already attained menopause usually are curious to know the effects of menopause on diabetes. This article shall help not only understand the effects of menopause on diabetes but shall also provide solutions to prevent the development of diabetes during menopause.
It is hard to detach the association and effects of menopause from the association and effects of age and weight hence, health research scientists are still struggling to judge whether menopause triggers diabetes.
Menopause hormonal changes may trigger diabetes…
Some studies suggest that there is no correlation between natural menopause and diabetes while some studies suggest that the hormone progesterone is associated with the development of diabetes. Though this is a tough question to answer definitely, but it is known fact that the hormonal changes occurring during menopause do have a strong effect on the development of diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious disease, which results due to increased blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the body. In people suffering from diabetes, insulin is not produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body hence, leading to increased levels of blood glucose. Insulin is a hormone which converts glucose into energy.
Oestrogen & Progesterone hormones influence Blood Glucose levels
Menopause occurs due to the decline in the production of female hormones, oestrogen & progesterone. These female hormones can have a great impact on the blood glucose levels.
Oestrogen accelerates the production of insulin production and is responsible for the reduction of blood glucose levels whereas Progesterone actively impairs the functioning of insulin and plays a vital role in increasing blood glucose levels.
Changes in the levels of oestrogen & progesterone, after menopause, may trigger fluctuations in the blood sugar levels. Oestrogen & progesterone further interact actively with the insulin hormone thus, making the body more resistant to insulin.
After menopause, it is observed that the blood sugar level is more variable and less predictable than before. In case, the blood sugar levels increases to a greater extent then there are high chances of complications of diabetes to occur.
The impact of menopause on blood sugar levels varies from woman to woman. It is very difficult to distinguish between the symptoms of menopause with the symptoms of high or low blood sugar.
Tips to reduce chances of developing Diabetes during Menopause
Some of the tips which can be adapted by women during menopause to prevent the development of diabetes are as follows…
- Women, during their perimenopause and menopause period, should regularly get their blood glucose tested.
- Control weight.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Consume a healthy diet.
- Perform regular exercises.
- Limit intake of sugary drinks, fried and processed foods.
- Increase intake of vegetables & sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Though the definitive proof still eludes science but doctors still suggest that hormonal changes occurring during menopause are intertwined with diabetes. By adapting the above-mentioned tips, one can reduce the chances of contracting diabetes during menopause.
I strongly recommend people to consult a health care professional where you live for an individualised assessment.