Menopause and Diabetes
Around age 40-50 menstruation ceases. Some women stop having periods earlier than others. Some stop suddenly while others have only a few periods a year during a several year time span. Many think they have stopped menstruating because they have not had a period in several months or longer and then begin menstruating regularly again.
When menopause occurs, changes take place in the woman’s body. Along with a decrease in the amount of estrogen and progesterone some women experience symptoms of “hot flashes,” headache, and depression. A tendency toward brittle bones occurs because of the reduced amount of hormones in the body; many older women sustain fractures because of this change in their bodies. However, many women report no menopausal symptoms, and that time of life progresses as normally as other periods in their lives.
As an insulin-dependent diabetic woman, however, you may have some special concerns. For example, it may be difficult for you to distinguish menopausal hot flashes from low blood sugar reactions causing similar symptoms. If you think the hot flashes are from low blood sugar and take extra sugar or food, you may raise your blood sugar level too high. And if you think a hypoglycemic reaction is a hot flash, you may neglect to take sugar and make your low blood sugar reaction worse. To avoid this confusion, test your own blood sugar. Other symptoms of me no pause may also concern you as a diabetic if you are age 40 or over. Your blood sugar level responds to anti depressive medications as well as to mental stress. Proper relaxation and a healthy perspective on life will help you avoid undue stress and the need for antidepressant medications. Also, brittle bones are characteristic of diabetics, particularly in menopausal and postmenopausal women. Your physician may recommend that you supplement your diet with calcium rich foods.
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