Like anything else that affects your hormones, menopause can change how you need to treat your diabetes. Menopause occurs when production of estrogen and progesterone slows and finally stops. Many women achieve menopause (technically, that's when periods have stopped for a full year) between the age of 45 and 55, but it could be sooner or later for you. Unpredictable changes in estrogen and progesterone levels affect your blood glucose levels during the 10 years leading up to menopause, so it's important to be aware of the possible effects starting in your late 30s to early 40s. Estrogen and progesterone counteract the effects of insulin in your body, so when these hormones are high, your blood glucose may also be high. When levels of these hormones fall, your blood glucose may be lower than you expect �?and if you don't adjust your treatment plan, you may develop hypoglycemia. If you use insulin or diabetes pills, you may need to decrease the dose. Watch for the signs of menopause: the top two are irregular periods and hot flashes, but you may also notice sleep disturbances and skin changes. When you notice these symptoms, be wary of low blood glucose and monitor your levels more often.
Also, be aware that estrogen protects your heart, and you lose that protection after menopause. You also may notice that you tend to gain weight, especially in the abdomen, which is a heart disease risk factor. Take extra time to care for your heart now.
Learn how to spot the signs of hypoglycemia
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