Menopause can be a challenging time for most women, but if you are diabetic you may have to surmount a few more hurdles during the transition. Since menopause and diabetes can cause similar symptoms and since uncontrolled blood glucose levels can increase your chances of having diabetes complications, it is especially important that you are aware of any new changes in your body.
Control Your Cholesterol
Having diabetes causes you to be at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. When you are going through menopause, your chances are even higher, according to the Mayo Clinic. Eat a diet that is low in cholesterol (for example, you may eat egg whites but remove the yolks) and get plenty of exercise. If this does not sufficiently stabilize your cholesterol you may want to seek advice from your doctor. He may be able to offer tips or even prescribe medication that lowers cholesterol.
Monitor Blood Sugar Often
During menopause, your levels of estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate. When these levels are not stable, they may also cause your blood sugar to be out of balance as well. As a result, you should keep a closer eye on your blood sugar and record it so that your doctor knows whether he should be adjusting your diabetes treatment.
Accept Medication Changes
Since your blood sugar levels may increase or decrease with hormonal changes during menopause, you should be receptive to changing your medications if your doctor deems it necessary. Your doctor may either suggest altering doses of medications you are already taking or he may prescribe additional or different medications.
Have Healthy Habits
You surely already know that diabetes is best treated as a combined effort between your medications and your lifestyle. If you are taking recommended medicine but you are not doing your part to exercise and eat well, you may feel worse than you could be feeling. The same idea applies to menopause. Even if you end up taking hormone replacement treatments and you adjust your diabetes treatment plan to work with menopause, you will not reap the most benefits unless you have a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
Get Menopause Advice
Just as your doctor can help oversee your diabetes treatment plan, he can offer advice about treating symptoms of menopause as well. He may also help determine whether certain symptoms--perhaps moodiness and hot flashes--are related to blood sugar or if they are related to menopause. Also, keep in mind that other professionals are available to help you. For example, if weight gain has become an issue, a registered dietitian can help you to develop an appropriate diet plan and coach you to adhere to it.
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