Menopause aggravates diabetes

Women with diabetes get into menopause earlier

According to the German Diabetes Association more than six million people in this country suffer from diabetes. According to health experts, the overall course of the disease is slightly worse in women than in men. Women with diabetes not only get into menopause faster, but also have a significantly higher risk of fatal cardiovascular disease. Experts explain what diabetics should be aware of.

Gender difference also in diabetes

Health experts repeatedly point out that the sex factor in diabetes is of considerable importance. It is well known that women with diabetes are much more susceptible to heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases than male diabetics. Diabetic women also enter the menopause more early than women without diabetes. The reasons are the declining estrogen, the resulting fluctuating blood sugar levels and the tendency to gain weight. The German Diabetes Association (DDG) explains in a communication what diabetics should consider.

Women with diabetes get into menopause earlier than women without diabetes. They also have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Health experts explain what diabetics should be aware of. (Image: Kzenon / fotolia.com)

What diabetics should be aware of

The DDG advises women with diabetes in principle to a close-knit blood sugar control and recommends, if necessary, to adapt the therapy to the new hormone situation. In hormone therapy, advantages and disadvantages should be weighed individually.

"In women with diabetes, the oocyte supply is exhausted faster. As a result, they get into menopause earlier, "explains DDG expert Professor Dr. med. med. Petra-Maria Schumm-Draeger.

Scientists believe that diabetes-related vascular changes are the cause of this accelerated aging process. As the ovaries dry up, so too does the hormone estrogen, which affects insulin sensitivity.

"However, many patients do not know this connection and are surprised by sudden blood sugar fluctuations," reports the Medical Director of the Center for Internal Medicine Fünf Höfe in Munich.

Fluctuating blood glucose levels during menopause

It also applies: Even patients with a diabetes that has been well-adjusted to date suffer from fluctuating blood sugar levels in the climacteric, as the estrogen does not decrease continuously but often leaps and bounds.

"The increased stress, caused by sleep disturbances and hot flashes, does the rest to negatively influence the blood sugar level," emphasizes Schumm-Draeger.

The Munich internist therefore recommends diabetic patients to deal with the issue of menopause in good time.

"It is advisable to seek advice from the treating diabetologist in good time," says the DDG expert. Because estrogen deficiency not only lowers insulin sensitivity but also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

"In addition, one must not forget that the hormonal change can take up to ten years - there is a well-adjusted blood sugar metabolism for a healthy aging is essential," added DDG President Professor. med. Dirk Müller-Wieland.

Move sufficiently and consciously feed

In general, both Type 2 and Type 1 patients should urgently adapt their lifestyle to the new situation.

Regular exercise can naturally help lower high blood sugar.

Above all, a conscious diet is important, whereby care should be taken to take fewer calories than before.

"Few know that in this period of life, the basic need for calories is significantly reduced, so unfortunately much fewer calories are needed to keep the body weight stable," said Schumm-Draeger.

If the patient does not adhere to her eating habits, overweight and the resulting secondary illnesses such as cardiovascular disease threaten.

Menopausal symptoms are often confused with symptoms of low blood sugar

In addition, diabetic patients often misinterpret typical menopausal symptoms such as palpitations and sweats as hypoglycaemic symptoms and respond to them with increased food intake.

"That too leads to obesity and a poorer blood sugar control," says Schumm-Draeger. More frequent blood glucose measurements help to avoid the misunderstanding.

Whether a woman benefits from hormone therapy can not be answered on a flat-rate basis. "We recommend thinking carefully about hormone therapy in cases of severe obesity and hypertension," says Schumm-Draeger.

In patients with uterine or breast cancer, the treatment is not likely. "In each case, advantages and disadvantages between doctor and patient should be weighed individually," emphasizes DDG President Müller-Wieland. (Ad)