Women with diabetes have to be on the lookout for more. Take care of yourself by checking your blood sugar level frequently, eating healthy foods, and being physically active so that you can be in the best of health and feel the best.
Why is diabetes different for women and men? Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease (the most common complication of diabetes). This increase is four times higher for women, but only twice for men, and women have worse consequences after a heart attack. Women are also at increased risk for other diabetes-related complications, such as blindness, kidney damage, and depression.
Diabetes is not just different for women; it is different among women. African American, Hispanic or Latino, US Native American, Alaska Native, and Asian / Pacific Islander women are more likely to develop diabetes than white women.
The way you manage diabetes may need to change over time, depending on what is going on in your life. Here is what to expect and what you can do to take care of yourself.
Yeast and urinary tract infections
Many women will get a vaginal yeast infection at some point, but women with diabetes are at increased risk, especially if their blood sugar levels are high.
More than 50% of women will get a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime, and the risk may be higher if you have diabetes. Causes include high blood sugar levels and poor circulation (which reduces the body's ability to fight infection). Also, in some women the bladder does not empty completely due to diabetes, creating a perfect means for bacteria to multiply.
What you can do: To prevent yeast infections and urinary tract infections, keep your blood sugar level as close to your target range as possible. Other ways to prevent UTIs include drinking plenty of water, wearing cotton underwear, and frequent urination rather than waiting for the bladder to be full.
exercise equipment, fruits, and water
You can't go wrong by following the basic instructions for diabetes: Check your blood sugar regularly, eat healthy foods, and be physically active most days.
The menstrual cycle
Hormonal changes just before and during the menstrual period can make it difficult to predict blood sugar levels. It may also be that you have longer or more intense menstrual periods, and cravings for certain foods can make managing diabetes more difficult. You may notice a pattern over time, or you may find that each period is different.
What you can do: Check your blood sugar level frequently and keep track of the results to see if there is a pattern. If you use insulin, you may need to get more in the days before your period. Talk to your doctor about changing the dose, if necessary. Being physically active most days, eating healthy food in the right amounts, and getting enough sleep can also help.
Get familiar with the numbers
Sometimes having high blood sugar levels may seem like a failed test. But the numbers are just numbers. Better think of them as information. Was there any food or activity that caused the levels to rise? With that information, you can make adjustments and get closer to your target range more often.
Sexual intercourse
Diabetes can reduce your interest in sex and the ability to enjoy it. For some women, vaginal dryness can make intercourse uncomfortable or even painful. Causes may include nerve damage, reduced blood flow, medications, and hormonal changes, including changes during pregnancy or menopauseExternal.
What you can do: Be sure to talk to the doctor if you have a sexual problem. Your doctor can inform you of your options, which range from using vaginal lubricants to performing exercises that can increase your sexual response.
Contraceptives
It is important that you use contraceptives Externalif you don't want to get pregnant or if you want to wait until your blood sugar levels are within your target range, as high blood sugar can cause problems during pregnancy for you and your baby. There are many types of contraception, including intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, injections, pills, patches, vaginal rings, and barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms. Choosing the right method will depend on whether you have any other conditions, the medications you take, and other factors.
What you can do: Talk to your doctor about all contraceptive options Externalland about the risks. Keep checking your blood sugar levels, keep track of the results, and tell the doctor if the levels raise.
Why is diabetes different for women and men? Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease (the most common complication of diabetes). This increase is four times higher for women, but only twice for men, and women have worse consequences after a heart attack. Women are also at increased risk for other diabetes-related complications, such as blindness, kidney damage, and depression.
Diabetes is not just different for women; it is different among women. African American, Hispanic or Latino, US Native American, Alaska Native, and Asian / Pacific Islander women are more likely to develop diabetes than white women.
The way you manage diabetes may need to change over time, depending on what is going on in your life. Here is what to expect and what you can do to take care of yourself.
Yeast and urinary tract infections
Many women will get a vaginal yeast infection at some point, but women with diabetes are at increased risk, especially if their blood sugar levels are high.
More than 50% of women will get a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime, and the risk may be higher if you have diabetes. Causes include high blood sugar levels and poor circulation (which reduces the body's ability to fight infection). Also, in some women the bladder does not empty completely due to diabetes, creating a perfect means for bacteria to multiply.
What you can do: To prevent yeast infections and urinary tract infections, keep your blood sugar level as close to your target range as possible. Other ways to prevent UTIs include drinking plenty of water, wearing cotton underwear, and frequent urination rather than waiting for the bladder to be full.
exercise equipment, fruits, and water
You can't go wrong by following the basic instructions for diabetes: Check your blood sugar regularly, eat healthy foods, and be physically active most days.
The menstrual cycle
Hormonal changes just before and during the menstrual period can make it difficult to predict blood sugar levels. It may also be that you have longer or more intense menstrual periods, and cravings for certain foods can make managing diabetes more difficult. You may notice a pattern over time, or you may find that each period is different.
What you can do: Check your blood sugar level frequently and keep track of the results to see if there is a pattern. If you use insulin, you may need to get more in the days before your period. Talk to your doctor about changing the dose, if necessary. Being physically active most days, eating healthy food in the right amounts, and getting enough sleep can also help.
Get familiar with the numbers
Sometimes having high blood sugar levels may seem like a failed test. But the numbers are just numbers. Better think of them as information. Was there any food or activity that caused the levels to rise? With that information, you can make adjustments and get closer to your target range more often.
Sexual intercourse
Diabetes can reduce your interest in sex and the ability to enjoy it. For some women, vaginal dryness can make intercourse uncomfortable or even painful. Causes may include nerve damage, reduced blood flow, medications, and hormonal changes, including changes during pregnancy or menopauseExternal.
What you can do: Be sure to talk to the doctor if you have a sexual problem. Your doctor can inform you of your options, which range from using vaginal lubricants to performing exercises that can increase your sexual response.
Contraceptives
It is important that you use contraceptives Externalif you don't want to get pregnant or if you want to wait until your blood sugar levels are within your target range, as high blood sugar can cause problems during pregnancy for you and your baby. There are many types of contraception, including intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, injections, pills, patches, vaginal rings, and barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms. Choosing the right method will depend on whether you have any other conditions, the medications you take, and other factors.
What you can do: Talk to your doctor about all contraceptive options Externalland about the risks. Keep checking your blood sugar levels, keep track of the results, and tell the doctor if the levels raise.
