Diabetes Hits Women Hard at Menopause

Diabetes is becoming more common in the United States according to the CDC. Studies show that it is the number 6 cause of mortality of women between the ages of 45 to 54, and the 55-64 age group. These statistics do not hold true for men of the same age groups, so the connection with menopause and increasing diabetes has been of topic of discussion and research.

Does menopause increase the risk of diabetes?
It is believed that there is a connection between hormones and the development of diabetes in menopausal women. The exact connection has yet to be established and further research is required. While it is difficult for researchers to give this question a definite yes, there are indicators that suggest that hormonal changes in menopause can be considered a risk factor for developing diabetes.

Other factors for consideration
The aging process along with height and weight are also factors that contribute to the onset of diabetes. Obesity and poor diet habits are also contributing factors. More than one third of all Americans have a condition known as pre-diabetes in the adult years. Half of this number represents the age 65 and over group. This indicates that age is a leading factor. Without proper treatment and care, many of these adults will go on to develop full blown diabetes.

How to cut the risk of diabetes during menopause?
Among the most important things that you can do to reduce your risk of developing diabetes is eating a healthy, balanced diet and maintaining a healthy body weight. By doing this you are eliminating some of the most predominant risk factors. In addition to this, get plenty of exercise to help keep your body toned and your heart healthy. This helps to keep hormone balances in check as well. Avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol, caffeine and smoking are also recommended to cut your risk of diabetes. Developing healthy lifestyle habits will decrease your risks dramatically.

Get tested regularly by your health care provider
An annual physical exam is recommended for all women who are experience menopause symptoms. This can help to catch the onset of diabetes in its earliest stages, when the need for treatment may be less extensive. This is especially important if you have a family history of diabetes or blood sugar disorders. Many adults who have pre-diabetes or diabetes are not aware of the condition until it begins to cause serious related health problems. Testing is recommended every 3 years for those who are not at significant risk of developing diabetes, and more often for those who are at a high risk or are pre-diabetic.

What the experts say about hormone replacement therapy for diabetes during menopause?
Hormone replacement therapy or other forms of hormone therapy are useful in alleviating the symptoms of menopause and bringing the hormones back into balance. Even there are menopausal supplements available in the market which actually work on the symptoms of menopause. HRT can lessen the risk of developing diabetes, however; it is not widely recommended. While this helps the systems of the body to function more adequately, experts warn that it should not be used solely for the prevention of diabetes. This is due to the fact that HRT carries with it side effects and the risk for developing long term health problems. Some of the conditions that can arise due to HRT are stroke, blood clots and certain cancers.

Conclusion
There does seem to be reason to believe that there is a connection between menopause and the increased risk for developing diabetes. Although the exact correlations are not clear, statistics show a definite rise in the incidences of diabetes among women of menopause age. This rise is not evident in men of the same age group. Further research is needed to pinpoint the relationship.

It is believed that hormonal changes during menopause can create imbalances that help to trigger the onset of diabetes. This is most likely the case when combined with other risk factors such as aging, obesity, and a family history of diabetes and blood sugar conditions.

While hormone replacement therapy can help aid in the prevention of diabetes during menopause, experts do not recommend it as treatment solely for diabetes. This is due to the side effects and risk factors for long term health issues associated with HRT. While a definite answer to the question remains elusive, there is enough circumstantial evidence to suggest that menopause plays some role in elevating the risk for diabetes.