MEN and women may have the same symptoms and effects of diabetes. Women may additionally experience candida infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and vaginal dryness, among others. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all.
Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high levels of blood glucose — also known as blood sugar — due to problems making or using the hormone insulin. Your body needs insulin to make and use energy from the carbohydrates you consume.
THERE ARE THREE COMMON TYPES:
Type 1 diabetes: Your body can’t make insulin due to autoimmune dysfunction.
TYPE 2 DIABETES: This is the most common and occurs when your body is unable to properly use insulin.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES: This is caused by pregnancy.
Diabetes can affect people with any lifestyle and of any age, race, ethnic group, sex, or gender. The condition can often have more serious effects on women when compared to men.
13% greater risk of death from all causes
30% greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease
58% greater risk of death from coronary heart disease
A doctor can better help you understand your risk for diabetes and how to manage certain symptoms or complications if you develop the condition.
Symptoms Of Diabetes in women
Women and men with diabetes may experience many of the same symptoms.
However, some symptoms are unique to women. Understanding these symptoms may help you identify diabetes and get treatment for it early.
Candida infections
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, can trigger the growth of fungus.
An overgrowth of yeast caused by the Candida fungus can result in vaginal or oral yeast infections. These common infections are also known as thrush.
When an infection develops in the vaginal area, symptoms can include:
Vaginal itching
vaginal discharge
painful sex
soreness
Oral yeast infections often cause a white coating on the tongue and inside the mouth.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) develop when bacteria enter the urinary tract.
The risk is higher in women who have diabetes. UTIs are common in this group mainly because hyperglycemia compromises the immune system.
UTIs CAN CAUSE:
Painful urination
a burning sensation during urination
bloody or cloudy urine
There’s a risk of kidney infection if these symptoms aren’t treated.
Vaginal dryness
Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage your nerve fibers. This damage can trigger tingling and loss of feeling in different parts of the body, including the:
hands
feet
legs
Diabetic neuropathy may also affect sensation in the vaginal area, leading to symptoms like vaginal dryness.
POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)
Experts don’t know the exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
It can occur when a woman produces a high amount of androgens (male hormones) and has certain risk factors, such as a family history of PCOS. In one study, researchers found that the main androgens involved in PCOS are testosterone and androstenedione.
SYMPTOMS OF PCOS INCLUDE:
irregular periods
weight gain
acne
depression
infertility
PCOS is also associated with a type of insulin resistance that elevates blood sugar levels and increases your risk of developing diabetes. Insulin resistance may be either a symptom or a cause of PCOS.
SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES
The following symptoms can potentially affect anyone with diabetes:
increased thirst and hunger
frequent urination
weight loss or weight gain with no obvious cause
fatigue
nausea
blurry vision
wounds that heal slowly
skin infections
acanthosis nigricans, or patches of darker skin at the armpits, groin, and back of the neck
irritability
breath that has a sweet, fruity, or acetone-like odor
reduced feeling in the hands or feet
However, keep in mind that many people with type 2 diabetes have no noticeable symptoms at all.
Pregnancy for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes typically starts during childhood. Type 2 diabetes typically starts in adulthood. If you have one of these conditions before you’re pregnant, it’s known as pregestational diabetes.
You may wonder if pregnancy is safe if you have pregestational diabetes.
You can certainly have a healthy pregnancy after getting a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. However, it’s important to manage your condition before and during pregnancy to avoid complications.
Your blood sugar levels and general health need to be tracked before and during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about the best ways to manage your and your baby’s health.
If you’re planning to get pregnant, it’s best to get your blood sugar levels as close to your target range as possible beforehand. Your target blood sugar ranges when pregnant may be different from the ranges when you’re not pregnant.
When you’re pregnant, blood sugar and ketones travel through the placenta to the baby. Babies require energy from sugar just like you do, but they’re at risk for congenital abnormalities if your blood sugar levels are too high.
Transferring high blood sugar to unborn babies puts them at risk for:
for:
premature birth
cognitive impairments
developmental delays
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs when people begin to have high blood sugar during pregnancy. It’s different from type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes affects almost 10% of pregnancies in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Pregnancy hormones interfere with the way insulin works, causing the body to make more insulin. For some people, this still isn’t enough insulin, and they develop gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes often develops later in pregnancy. Your doctor may test you for it between weeks 24 and 28Trusted Source. For most people, gestational diabetes goes away after pregnancy.
If you’ve had gestational diabetes, your risk for type 2 diabetes increases. Your doctor may recommend diabetes and prediabetes testing every few years.
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How Diabetes Affects Women
Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD — By Ana Gotter and Dylan Bailey, MS, RD, FAND — Updated on January 17, 2024
Symptoms in women
General symptoms
Pregnancy
Gestational diabetes
Risk factors
Treatment
Complications
Outlook
Men and women may have the same symptoms and effects of diabetes. Women may additionally experience candida infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and vaginal dryness, among others. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all.
View video transcript
Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high levels of blood glucose — also known as blood sugar — due to problems making or using the hormone insulin. Your body needs insulin to make and use energy from the carbohydrates you consume.
There are three common types:
Type 1 diabetes: Your body can’t make insulin due to autoimmune dysfunction.
Type 2 diabetes: This is the most common and occurs when your body is unable to properly use insulin.
Gestational diabetes: This is caused by pregnancy.
Diabetes can affect people with any lifestyle and of any age, race, ethnic group, sex, or gender. The condition can often have more serious effects on women when compared to men.
A 2019 literature reviewTrusted Source looked at the link between diabetes and poor health outcomes in well over 5.1 million people across 49 studies. Researchers found that, when compared to men with diabetes, women with diabetes experienced:
13% greater risk of death from all causes
30% greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease
58% greater risk of death from coronary heart disease
Read on to learn more about diabetes in women.
Language matters
We use “women” and “men” in this article to reflect the terms that have been historically used to gender people. However, your gender identity may not align with how your body may respond to diabetes.
A doctor can better help you understand your risk for diabetes and how to manage certain symptoms or complications if you develop the condition.
Was this helpful?
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Women and men with diabetes may experience many of the same symptoms.
However, some symptoms are unique to women. Understanding these symptoms may help you identify diabetes and get treatment for it early.
Candida infections
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, can trigger the growth of fungus.
An overgrowth of yeast caused by the Candida fungus can result in vaginal or oral yeast infections. These common infections are also known as thrush.
When an infection develops in the vaginal area, symptoms can include:
vaginal itching
vaginal discharge
painful sex
soreness
Oral yeast infections often cause a white coating on the tongue and inside the mouth.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) develop when bacteria enter the urinary tract.
The risk is higher in women who have diabetes. UTIs are common in this group mainly because hyperglycemia compromises the immune system.
UTIs can cause:
painful urination
a burning sensation during urination
bloody or cloudy urine
There’s a risk of kidney infection if these symptoms aren’t treated.
Vaginal dryness
Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage your nerve fibers. This damage can trigger tingling and loss of feeling in different parts of the body, including the:
hands
feet
legs
Diabetic neuropathy may also affect sensation in the vaginal area, leading to symptoms like vaginal dryness.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Experts don’t know the exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
It can occur when a woman produces a high amount of androgens (male hormones) and has certain risk factors, such as a family history of PCOS. In one study, researchers found that the main androgens involved in PCOS are testosterone and androstenedione.
Symptoms of PCOS include:
irregular periods
weight gain
acne
depression
infertility
PCOS is also associated with a type of insulin resistance that elevates blood sugar levels and increases your risk of developing diabetes. Insulin resistance may be either a symptom or a cause of PCOS.
Symptoms of diabetes
The following symptoms can potentially affect anyone with diabetes:
increased thirst and hunger
frequent urination
weight loss or weight gain with no obvious cause
fatigue
nausea
blurry vision
wounds that heal slowly
skin infections
acanthosis nigricans, or patches of darker skin at the armpits, groin, and back of the neck
irritability
breath that has a sweet, fruity, or acetone-like odor
reduced feeling in the hands or feet
However, keep in mind that many people with type 2 diabetes have no noticeable symptoms at all.
Pregnancy for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes typically starts during childhood. Type 2 diabetes typically starts in adulthood. If you have one of these conditions before you’re pregnant, it’s known as pregestational diabetes.
You may wonder if pregnancy is safe if you have pregestational diabetes.
You can certainly have a healthy pregnancy after getting a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. However, it’s important to manage your condition before and during pregnancy to avoid complications.
Your blood sugar levels and general health need to be tracked before and during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about the best ways to manage your and your baby’s health.
If you’re planning to get pregnant, it’s best to get your blood sugar levels as close to your target range as possible beforehand. Your target blood sugar ranges when pregnant may be different from the ranges when you’re not pregnant.
When you’re pregnant, blood sugar and ketones travel through the placenta to the baby. Babies require energy from sugar just like you do, but they’re at risk for congenital abnormalities if your blood sugar levels are too high.
Transferring high blood sugar to unborn babies puts them at risk for:
premature birth
cognitive impairments
developmental delays
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Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs when people begin to have high blood sugar during pregnancy. It’s different from type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes affects almost 10% of pregnancies in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Pregnancy hormones interfere with the way insulin works, causing the body to make more insulin. For some people, this still isn’t enough insulin, and they develop gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes often develops later in pregnancy. Your doctor may test you for it between weeks 24 and 28Trusted Source. For most people, gestational diabetes goes away after pregnancy.
If you’ve had gestational diabetes, your risk for type 2 diabetes increases. Your doctor may recommend diabetes and prediabetes testing every few years.
Risk factors for diabetes in women
Most people with type 1 diabetes develop the condition in childhood. Risk factors include having a parent or sibling with the condition. Coming from a cold climate may also raise your risk.
In the United States, people who are white are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes than African American, Hispanic, or Latino people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services’s Office on Women’s HealthTrusted Source, you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes if you:
are at least 45 years old
have overweight or obesity
have a parent or sibling with diabetes
are African American, Hispanic, Asian American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander
have had a baby with a birth weight of at least 9 pounds (4.08 kilograms)
have had gestational diabetes
have high blood pressure
have high cholesterol
are physically active fewer than three times a week have PCOS have a history of heart disease or stroke
ResearchersTrusted Source are still exploring the exact reasons why some ethnic and racial groups have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
Possible factors may include but aren’t limited to:
biological risk factors, such as weight status and the location of fat deposits on the body
lack of access to healthcare
inequities in healthcare
socioeconomic status or other social determinants of health
cultural attitudes and behaviors toward diabetes prevention
Diabetes by the numbers
According to the National Diabetes Statistics ReportTrusted Source, an estimated 37.3 million people (11.3% of the U.S. population) had diabetes in 2019. This includes 19.1 million men and 18.0 million women 18 years or older with the condition.
The World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source states that there were 422 million adults globally living with diabetes in 2014, up from 108 million reported in 1980.
The International Diabetes Federation provides global prevalence estimates, among other statistics, in its Diabetes Atlas. In 2021, it predicted that 642.8 million people 20 to 79 years old may have diabetes by 2030. By 2045, 783.7 million people in this age group may have diabetes
Treatment for diabetes
There’s no cure for diabetes. Once you’ve received the diagnosis, you can only manage your symptoms.
Women may experience unique obstacles to managing their blood sugar and diabetes.
For instance, some birth control pills can increase your blood sugar. To maintain a moderate blood sugar level, ask your doctor about switching to a low dose birth control pill.
Other ways to help manage your diabetes are described below.
Medications
There’s a variety of medications you can take to manage symptoms and complications.
Many new classes of diabetes medications are available, but the most common medications for those who have recently received a diagnosis include:
Insulin therapy: Insulin therapy is for all people with type 1 diabetes.
Metformin: Metformin (Fortamet, Glumetza) lowers your blood sugar levels
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes can also help you manage diabetes. They include:
exercising and maintaining a moderate weight
avoiding smoking cigarettes, if you smoke
following a balanced eating plan that meets your personal needs and is focused on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
monitoring your blood sugar levels
The ADA’s latest consensus report reviewed hundreds of scientific articles on how nutrition and diet can be used to manage diabetes. Researchers found that everyone’s body responds differently to foods, including carbohydrates, and there’s no single “diabetes diet” that works for all people.
The ADA recommends an individualized approach to eating. This should include working with a registered dietitian to find out what eating plan, macronutrient combination, and food choices make the most sense for your goals.
Alternative remedies
More conclusive research is needed on the benefits of alternative remedies for people with diabetes.
Alternative remedies that may have a slight benefit for people with diabetes include:
supplements like chromium and magnesium
herbs and seeds like buckwheat, sage, and fenugreek seeds
Consult a doctor before trying any new diabetes remedies, even if they’re natural. They may interact with your current treatments or medications.
Complications of diabetes
Diabetes can cause a variety of complications, which include:
Eating disorders: According to the ADA, some research suggests that eating disorders are more common in women with diabetes than in women without diabetes.
Coronary heart disease: Many women, even young women, with type 2 diabetes already have heart disease at the time of their diabetes diagnosis.
Skin conditions: Skin-related complications include bacterial and fungal infections.
Nerve damage: Nerve damage can lead to pain, impaired circulation, or loss of feeling in the affected limbs.
Eye damage: Eye damage may lead to vision loss or blindness.
Foot damage: If foot damage isn’t treated promptly, it can result in amputation.
Depression: Women with diabetes have a higher risk of depression than men with diabetes and people without diabetes, according to the ADA.
Outlook for diabetes in women
Diabetes is the seventh most commonTrusted Source cause of death in the United States.
There’s no exact standard or metric that can confirm how long you may live with the condition.
A 2015 study comparing the outlook for women and men with type 1 diabetes found that women were about 40% more likelyTrusted Source to die due to the condition. The study also found that people with type 1 diabetes have shorter life expectancies than the general population.
The National Center for Health Statistics’s mortality dashboardTrusted Source includes data on multiple conditions.
Between January and March 2020, there were 23.1 female deaths from diabetes for every 100,000 female people with the condition in the United States. By the end of the period between October and December 2021, this figure rose to 26.7 female deaths from diabetes for every 100,000 with the condition.
However, it’s possible to lead a long and healthy life with diabetes.
A 2022 studyTrusted Source on the importance of type 2 diabetes treatment goals concluded that meeting certain goals, like lowering your LDL (bad) cholesterol, might increase your life expectancy.
There are a variety of medications, lifestyle changes, and alternative remedies that may help you manage your symptoms and improve your overall health.
If you have diabetes and are interested in exploring new treatments, talk with your doctor first, even if you think they’re safe
Source: HEALTHLINE
