For women, living with type 2 diabetes can be tough. Diabetes brings many other health risks that you need to know about.
For instance, women with type 2 diabetes are more likely than other women to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
The good news: A healthy lifestyle and solid medical care can halt those risks.
Here's what every woman with type 2 diabetes needs to know.
The Heart of the Matter
Type 2 diabetes makes heart disease -- the top killer of U.S. women -- more likely.
Women with diabetes are as likely to have a heart attack as someone who has already had a heart attack. Compared to men, women with diabetes are more likely to have a heart attack and to die from it. And they tend to have a poorer quality of life than men.
“Nobody knows for sure why these heart risks are different for women than men - whether it’s hormones or socioeconomic factors or some combination of those two,” says ob-gyn and diabetes educator Cassandra Henderson, MD, of New York’s Montefiore Medical Center.
If you’re a woman with type 2 diabetes, your blood pressure needs to be closely monitored, Henderson says. High blood pressure also makes stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems more likely, so it’s a key part of diabetes management. Keeping your cholesterol levels in check will also help protect your heart.
Planning on Getting Pregnant?
Type 2 diabetes usually strikes after age 40. But it's on the rise in younger women, mainly because of obesity.
That means many women now have type 2 diabetes during their childbearing years. And that can be risky.
If you have type 2 diabetes and plan to get pregnant, see your doctor. You need a plan to keep your blood sugar level under control. That will help your odds of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. High blood sugar levels, particularly early in pregnancy, can increase risk of birth defects.
A healthy pregnancy is possible when you have type 2 diabetes. But it takes work.
A woman with a high blood sugar level is more likely to give birth to a baby with low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) and jaundice. She's also more likely to have a larger baby, which makes for a more difficult delivery.
You may need to see an ob-gyn who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Your doctor should check on your diabetes drugs, because some shouldn't be taken during pregnancy. As a result, you may need to take insulin.
Of course, a healthy diet and exercise are a must. That's true for everyone, but for pregnant women with type 2 diabetes, it's especially important to help control blood sugar levels.
You'll also need to check your blood sugar level frequently -- up to eight times daily -- while you're pregnant, to flag any blood sugar level spikes.
Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs only during pregnancy. Most women are usually screened for it at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, and 3% to 8% of women develop it.
“Although gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy, it’s a wake-up call for future risks,” Henderson says.
About 5% to 10% of women who have gestational diabetes are found to have type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. Women who have had gestational diabetes also have up to a 50% chance of getting type 2 diabetes within the next five to 10 years.
So Henderson advises women with gestational diabetes to heed the warning and start upgrading their diet and exercise habits now.
Diabetes and Breastfeeding
Unless a doctor advises against it, breastfeeding is recommended for all new moms -- with or without diabetes.
Once she has a baby, a woman's blood sugar control can change. If she has type 2 diabetes, she may need less insulin or a change in her diabetes drugs or doses.
“That’s why you need to have a plan in place ahead of time for your target goals,” Henderson says. It’s important to discuss this plan with both your ob-gyn, as well as your primary doctor for diabetes.
Nursing your baby increases chances of getting back to a healthy weight, and can help get blood sugar and insulin levels under control. And it can cut stress levels and encourage mother-baby bonding.
Breastfeeding might also help delay or prevent type 2 diabetes from developing. A 2005 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed every year a woman breastfeeds may translate into a 15% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. A 2010 study showed that breastfeeding for at least a month after giving birth has an effect on a woman’s risks for future type 2 diabetes.
If you’re pregnant with type 2 diabetes, take a breastfeeding class. And ask for a lactation consultant to visit you at the hospital after you deliver.
Breastfeeding is not always easy or convenient, and many women can't breastfeed exclusively. But the perks for mother and child can make it worth trying.
Diabetes and Menopause
As women enter menopause, problems stemming from type 2 diabetes can grow.
During these years, lower estrogen levels and changes in sleep can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate and become less predictable and harder to control, says internist Melanie Jay, MD, MS of New York University’s Langone Medical Center.
Blood sugar levels become even harder to control if you've also gained weight, developed insulin resistance, or aren't physically active.
Blood sugar fluctuations can cause symptoms similar to those common in menopause, such as mood changes, fatigue, and hot flashes. So it’s not uncommon to mistake them for signs of low blood sugar and try to correct the problem by eating more calories, thus raising blood sugar risks.
Type 2 diabetes might also worsen sexual function problems that often arise during menopause, Henderson tells WebMD. Symptoms include vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. Poorly controlled diabetes can interfere with neurological function, causing lower sexual desire and decreased sensation around the genital area, Henderson says. If that happens to you, talk to your doctor about it.
Infection Risk
“Certain types of infections can happen to anyone, men or women, but they tend to happen more frequently among women with type 2 diabetes,” Jay says. That’s because higher blood sugar means more food for bacteria and yeast to grow, she says.
Urinary tract infections happen when bacteria grow more readily in the lining of the bladder. Higher blood sugar levels in the urethra and bladder make women with diabetes more prone to these infections. Urinary tract infections can usually be treated with antibiotics your doctor prescribes.
Vaginal yeast infections may also accompany type 2 diabetes. The yeast called Candida, live all over our bodies and especially thrive in warm, moist areas. An infection results when there is too much yeast in one area.
Yeast infections can occur in other parts of the body more often where skin folds exist, such as under the armpits or beneath the breasts. Men and women with diabetes can be prone to higher rates of these infections.
“Developing a yeast infection from diabetes means your blood sugar is way out of control,” says endocrinologist Robin Goland, MD, of New York-Presbyterian Hospital. If you think you have a yeast infection, see your doctor to treat the infection and to better manage your diabetes.
Take Charge
The first line of defense against type 2 diabetes is a healthy diet and exercise plan.
Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days, according to the American Diabetic Association. That can mean any activity that gets your heart rate up and causes you to sweat a little - even if it’s gardening, walking, or cleaning your house.
Coping with stress can also help tame your blood sugar.
Your doctor can help you change your diet, make healthy food choices, control portions, and more.
Choose high-fiber foods. The fiber helps keep your blood sugar level on an even keel.
Also, swap white starchy foods for whole grains, put lots of vegetables in your diet, and go easy on sweetened beverages, including fruit juice.
If diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes are not enough to control your diabetes, your doctor can prescribe oral or injected treatments to treat the condition.
But even if you have a prescription, you still need to take those lifestyle steps. They can curb, or even end, the need for diabetes drugs for some people.
It's all about being good to yourself. Managing type 2 diabetes means taking care of yourself, no matter what.
“Diabetes requires self-care to do it well,” Goland says. “While many women are comfortable at taking care of others, it can be hard for them to take care of themselves,” she says.
Goland suggests involving a team of professionals to help you manage your diabetes - including your primary care doctor, nutritionist, and diabetes specialists.
Get your family on board, too. They can support you and learn healthy habits for themselves -- and that's a win for everyone.
For instance, women with type 2 diabetes are more likely than other women to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
The good news: A healthy lifestyle and solid medical care can halt those risks.
Here's what every woman with type 2 diabetes needs to know.
The Heart of the Matter
Type 2 diabetes makes heart disease -- the top killer of U.S. women -- more likely.
Women with diabetes are as likely to have a heart attack as someone who has already had a heart attack. Compared to men, women with diabetes are more likely to have a heart attack and to die from it. And they tend to have a poorer quality of life than men.
“Nobody knows for sure why these heart risks are different for women than men - whether it’s hormones or socioeconomic factors or some combination of those two,” says ob-gyn and diabetes educator Cassandra Henderson, MD, of New York’s Montefiore Medical Center.
If you’re a woman with type 2 diabetes, your blood pressure needs to be closely monitored, Henderson says. High blood pressure also makes stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems more likely, so it’s a key part of diabetes management. Keeping your cholesterol levels in check will also help protect your heart.
Planning on Getting Pregnant?
Type 2 diabetes usually strikes after age 40. But it's on the rise in younger women, mainly because of obesity.
That means many women now have type 2 diabetes during their childbearing years. And that can be risky.
If you have type 2 diabetes and plan to get pregnant, see your doctor. You need a plan to keep your blood sugar level under control. That will help your odds of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. High blood sugar levels, particularly early in pregnancy, can increase risk of birth defects.
A healthy pregnancy is possible when you have type 2 diabetes. But it takes work.
A woman with a high blood sugar level is more likely to give birth to a baby with low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) and jaundice. She's also more likely to have a larger baby, which makes for a more difficult delivery.
You may need to see an ob-gyn who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Your doctor should check on your diabetes drugs, because some shouldn't be taken during pregnancy. As a result, you may need to take insulin.
Of course, a healthy diet and exercise are a must. That's true for everyone, but for pregnant women with type 2 diabetes, it's especially important to help control blood sugar levels.
You'll also need to check your blood sugar level frequently -- up to eight times daily -- while you're pregnant, to flag any blood sugar level spikes.
Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs only during pregnancy. Most women are usually screened for it at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, and 3% to 8% of women develop it.
“Although gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy, it’s a wake-up call for future risks,” Henderson says.
About 5% to 10% of women who have gestational diabetes are found to have type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. Women who have had gestational diabetes also have up to a 50% chance of getting type 2 diabetes within the next five to 10 years.
So Henderson advises women with gestational diabetes to heed the warning and start upgrading their diet and exercise habits now.
Diabetes and Breastfeeding
Unless a doctor advises against it, breastfeeding is recommended for all new moms -- with or without diabetes.
Once she has a baby, a woman's blood sugar control can change. If she has type 2 diabetes, she may need less insulin or a change in her diabetes drugs or doses.
“That’s why you need to have a plan in place ahead of time for your target goals,” Henderson says. It’s important to discuss this plan with both your ob-gyn, as well as your primary doctor for diabetes.
Nursing your baby increases chances of getting back to a healthy weight, and can help get blood sugar and insulin levels under control. And it can cut stress levels and encourage mother-baby bonding.
Breastfeeding might also help delay or prevent type 2 diabetes from developing. A 2005 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed every year a woman breastfeeds may translate into a 15% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. A 2010 study showed that breastfeeding for at least a month after giving birth has an effect on a woman’s risks for future type 2 diabetes.
If you’re pregnant with type 2 diabetes, take a breastfeeding class. And ask for a lactation consultant to visit you at the hospital after you deliver.
Breastfeeding is not always easy or convenient, and many women can't breastfeed exclusively. But the perks for mother and child can make it worth trying.
Diabetes and Menopause
As women enter menopause, problems stemming from type 2 diabetes can grow.
During these years, lower estrogen levels and changes in sleep can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate and become less predictable and harder to control, says internist Melanie Jay, MD, MS of New York University’s Langone Medical Center.
Blood sugar levels become even harder to control if you've also gained weight, developed insulin resistance, or aren't physically active.
Blood sugar fluctuations can cause symptoms similar to those common in menopause, such as mood changes, fatigue, and hot flashes. So it’s not uncommon to mistake them for signs of low blood sugar and try to correct the problem by eating more calories, thus raising blood sugar risks.
Type 2 diabetes might also worsen sexual function problems that often arise during menopause, Henderson tells WebMD. Symptoms include vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. Poorly controlled diabetes can interfere with neurological function, causing lower sexual desire and decreased sensation around the genital area, Henderson says. If that happens to you, talk to your doctor about it.
Infection Risk
“Certain types of infections can happen to anyone, men or women, but they tend to happen more frequently among women with type 2 diabetes,” Jay says. That’s because higher blood sugar means more food for bacteria and yeast to grow, she says.
Urinary tract infections happen when bacteria grow more readily in the lining of the bladder. Higher blood sugar levels in the urethra and bladder make women with diabetes more prone to these infections. Urinary tract infections can usually be treated with antibiotics your doctor prescribes.
Vaginal yeast infections may also accompany type 2 diabetes. The yeast called Candida, live all over our bodies and especially thrive in warm, moist areas. An infection results when there is too much yeast in one area.
Yeast infections can occur in other parts of the body more often where skin folds exist, such as under the armpits or beneath the breasts. Men and women with diabetes can be prone to higher rates of these infections.
“Developing a yeast infection from diabetes means your blood sugar is way out of control,” says endocrinologist Robin Goland, MD, of New York-Presbyterian Hospital. If you think you have a yeast infection, see your doctor to treat the infection and to better manage your diabetes.
Take Charge
The first line of defense against type 2 diabetes is a healthy diet and exercise plan.
Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days, according to the American Diabetic Association. That can mean any activity that gets your heart rate up and causes you to sweat a little - even if it’s gardening, walking, or cleaning your house.
Coping with stress can also help tame your blood sugar.
Your doctor can help you change your diet, make healthy food choices, control portions, and more.
Choose high-fiber foods. The fiber helps keep your blood sugar level on an even keel.
Also, swap white starchy foods for whole grains, put lots of vegetables in your diet, and go easy on sweetened beverages, including fruit juice.
If diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes are not enough to control your diabetes, your doctor can prescribe oral or injected treatments to treat the condition.
But even if you have a prescription, you still need to take those lifestyle steps. They can curb, or even end, the need for diabetes drugs for some people.
It's all about being good to yourself. Managing type 2 diabetes means taking care of yourself, no matter what.
“Diabetes requires self-care to do it well,” Goland says. “While many women are comfortable at taking care of others, it can be hard for them to take care of themselves,” she says.
Goland suggests involving a team of professionals to help you manage your diabetes - including your primary care doctor, nutritionist, and diabetes specialists.
Get your family on board, too. They can support you and learn healthy habits for themselves -- and that's a win for everyone.
