Diabetes and menopause: What to expect

Menopause is the phase of life after your periods have stopped and your estrogen levels decline. Menopause can also occur as a result of surgery, when the ovaries are removed for other medical reasons.

Diabetes and menopause may team up for varied effects on your body, including:

• Changes in blood sugar level. The hormones estrogen and progesterone affect how your cells respond to insulin. After menopause, changes in your hormone levels can trigger fluctuations in your blood sugar level. You may notice that your blood sugar level changes more than before, and goes up and down. If your blood sugar gets out of control, you have a higher risk of diabetes complications.
• Weight gain. You might gain weight during the menopausal transition and after menopause. Weight gain may require an adjustment in your diabetes medication.
• Infections. Even before menopause, high blood sugar levels can contribute to urinary tract and vaginal infections. After menopause — when a drop in estrogen makes it easier for bacteria and yeast to thrive in the urinary tract and vagina — the risk is even higher.
• Sleep problems. After menopause, hot flashes and night sweats may keep you up at night. In turn, the sleep deprivation can make it tougher to manage your blood sugar level.
• Sexual problems. Diabetes can damage the nerves of the cells that line the vagina. This can interfere with arousal and orgasm. Vaginal dryness, a common symptom of menopause, may worsen the issue by causing pain during sex.