Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn
Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

Reviewed by SIAHMSR

Impact of type2 diabetes on women’s health

     Diabetes mellitus is one of the major health problems affecting women across the globe. The mortality rate due to diabetes and its complications is much greater than that from breast cancer in female population.

Diabetes affects almost all organs of the body if left untreated. Its complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy ,heart diseases, strokes etc. exact a heavy toll on the health of women. The disease affects eyes, nervous system, kidneys ,skin, heart and blood vessels of the body.Diabetes can affect mental health also causing depression and mood swings  involving the hormonal systems of the body.

However, proper medications, lifestyle modifications such as  research based diabetic diet & exercise programs help to manage diabetes and prevent complications if diagnosed early.  Check your blood sugar at frequent intervals to enjoy a happy & healthy life devoid of diabetes and complications.

·       Impact on mental health

One research study [1] shows that Diabetes mellitus is a stronger risk factor for major depressive disorder[ MDD ] in women  between 40 and 49 years.

High-risk patients for major depression , including overweight female patients with diabetes, should be more carefully assessed and monitored to manage depression as early as possible .

·       Impact on cardiovascular health

Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) by about four times in women [it is only about two times in men].

Diabetes is one of the most important risk factor for atherosclerosis in small and large blood vessels of the body [ micro and macro angiopathy]. The clot formation with in coronary arteries supplying heart leads to heart attacks.

The prognosis or outcome of heart attack is also not so good in women compared to men .

Diabetes also increases the risk for thrombotic strokes and transient ischaemic attacks[TIA] forming clots in blood vessels.

·       Predisposes to  urinary & vaginal infections

Diabetes makes women more predisposed to infections. Women with diabetes are at higher risk of vaginal infections and urinary tract infections especially if their blood sugar levels are very high.

 Vaginal candidiasis is yeast [fungal] infection commonly occurring in women with diabetes as increase in sugar levels in blood can cause yeast to overgrow, chiefly in the vaginal area.

Vaginal infections in girls before the puberty with Candida species is rare, as the low estrogen levels during childhood result in a rich anaerobic vaginal flora which inhibits the fungal growth. But in  girls [8-16years old] with type 1 diabetes , Candida species colonization and candidiasis with Candida. albicans and Candida. Glabrata can occur.

Urinary infections  presenting with increased frequency and urgency of urination, painful urination  and pus cells in urine are common in diabetic women particularly in the old group due  to weakened immunity resulting from ageing and diabetes.

·       Impact on sex life 

Diabetes can affect libido or sex drive in women. It can lower the interest in sex and experiencing sexual pleasure. In some women, vaginal dryness associated with menopause and nerve damage related to diabetes can make intercourse uncomfortable or even painful.

Impact of type 2 diabetes on pregnancy, child birth  

Diabetes is associated with complicated pregnancy and child birth.

Control your blood sugar before you plan a pregnancy.

Diabetes and elevated blood sugar can increase your risk for:

·       Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure  and other problems associated with pregnancy)

·       Delivery by cesarean section (C-section)

·       Miscarriage or stillbirth

·       Preterm birth

·       Birth defects

·       Large overweight baby making the delivery or labour difficult

·       Breathing problems in the baby.

                                                 SIAHMSR                       

  What is Gestational  diabetes ?

Gestational diabetes or high blood sugar during pregnancy can develop in women with no previous history of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes may develop in any woman during pregnancy however, overweight or obese , physically inactive women with positive family history of diabetes are more predisposed.

Gestational diabetes can be managed with right and well-chosen diet and some level of consistent physical activity.

Take medications if it is necessary to control high levels of blood sugar.

The blood sugar level becomes normal in half of the cases, but it persist as type 2 diabetes in some  groups of women. Therefore it is important to test  for diabetes 4 to 12 weeks after delivery and get tested every 1 to 3 years subsequently.

The complications of gestational diabetes are excessive birth weight, early (preterm) birth, obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life for the child.

Gestational diabetes enhances your risk for high blood pressure, as well as pre-eclampsia — a serious complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and other symptoms that can threaten the life of mother and child.

Glucose  tolerance testing helps in diagnosing gestational diabetes.

 Diabetes affects women’s health in every phase of life.

 Women are also at higher risk of other diabetes-related complications such as blindness, kidney disease, and depression.

Impact of type 2 diabetes on menopause

  Menopause  is associated with hormonal changes and it causes great fluctuations in sugar levels also.

After menopause, You may  start gaining weight, which increases the risk diabetes worsening.

However, you can control weight gain as well as elevated blood sugar with diet, physical activity ,exercise and some medications.

No need of any kind stress , when you get diagnosed with diabetes during menopause. You have to just adopt & follow a healthy lifestyle , diet plan and  consult your healthcare provider who may prescribe you some medications as necessary.

       Diabetes has a huge impact on a woman’s life in every phase .It is very important to do screening tests for diabetes from the very beginning of life, particularly those women who are obese with positive family history.

How to prevent type 2 diabetes?

   Life style changes play a pivotal role in the prevention, especially in those who  have been diagnosed with prediabetes or in those who with positive family history of diabetes.

There are a few tips to prevent the elevation in blood sugar:

1. Promote physical activity

The most important life style change women can bring in is to promote physical activity. Avoid sedentary lifestyle and promote movement.

Do jogging, brisk walking, swimming, cycling etc. to keep yourself active.

2.Plan a healthy  well-balanced diet

 Lowering carbohydrates and unhealthy fats.

Include whole grains in your diet.

Fatty foods are high in calories and should be eaten in moderation.

 Include unsaturated fats — both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats —are healthy fats.

Fiber-rich foods promote weight loss and lower the risk of diabetes & LDL cholesterol and thus help to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Include more fruits and vegetables with low glycaemic index [ foods which do not make a spike in your blood sugar level quickly].The fibers and anti-oxidants of them help to prevent free radical induced damage to tissues and complications of diabetes such as neuronal and cardio vascular diseases.

If you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes take medications to control the blood sugar  and along with that adopt  dietary changes and a life style promoting physical activity .

 written by dr.sanjana v.b [ copyright]

References &sources

1.    https://drc.bmj.com/content/8/1/e001430

2.    https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-women.html#:~:text=Diabetes%20increases%20the%20risk%20of,%2C%20kidney%20disease%2C%20and%20depression.

3.    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6352194/

4.    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355345

5.    Shaw’s text book of Gynaecology

6.    Mudaliar &menon clinical obstetrics