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What’s the link between menopause and diabetes? During menopause, hormonal changes in the body set off a chemical chain eventually leading to fluctuations in blood sugar level. We’ve been primarily focused on the symptoms surrounding menopause, bur recent studies have shown that the hormonal changes happening during menopause increase the risks of diabetes.

Women who are undergoing perimenopause or are menopausal may endure symptoms that are quite frequent among most women in this phase of life. All women will eventually experience menopause, although the symptoms they experience will vary. Possible symptoms may include but are not limited to weight gain, trouble sleeping, mood swings and the ever popular hot flashes. However, since menopause and diabetes might be linked, you ought to be aware of the following information.

Many of us who are going through menopause experience restless nights. And since we are not getting adequate sleep, it is a proven fact that our blood sugar levels rise. As we all know, weight gain while going through menopause will happen, but it will also upset your blood sugar levels. A consequence of this may be the onset of diabetes.

Post-menopausal women participated in a four-year study which measured their blood flow and the functionality of vessels and arteries. Twice a year, these women took blood tests and had physical examinations. Although none of these women had diabetes before the test, the study deduced that a number of them became diabetic during the time they were being tested. Blood flow in the veins and arteries had shifted dramatically.

Researchers can’t say with certainty that cell dysfunction is the root cause of diabetes in menopausal women, or if it is a result of having diabetes in the first place, even though the results may have shown a direct link. The argument that diabetes caused the cell dysfunction does not apply because none of the women in the study had diabetes when it started. It has been concluded that the dysfunction of the cells lining blood vessels may be a contributing factor in diabetes.

Although research implies that a connection exists between menopause and diabetes, this is still being debated. It is a good idea to have blood tests done for your blood sugar levels every six months, especially if you might be at risk for diabetes. Contact your health care provider if any diabetic symptoms are present, while maintaining a healthy diet and exercise program.