Diabetes and The Menopause
as if we haven't got enough to contend with, we are faced with going through diabetes and the menopause!
Now, you might be thinking "What are you talking about? "Where's the connection between diabetes and the menopause?"
Well if, like me, you have reached that 'certain age', it can be quite traumatic - especially when some of the effects you experience can easily be mistaken for those we have to be aware of when managing our diabetes...
You know that for a diabetic taking medication, keeping blood sugars at the right level can be a balancing act.
If sugar levels drop too low, because of not eating enough or not eating at the right times, you suffer a hypoglycemia episode (sometimes called 'hypo' for short).
For me, this usually manifests itself as shaking; irritability; sweating and a faint-headed feeling.
If you are diabetic and have ever had low-blood sugar you probably recognize some of these symptoms, amongst others. A quick 'glucose fix' usually settles it within 5-10 minutes.
Now, compare that to some of the symptoms of starting the menopause; hot flushes [I call them 'power-surges' ;)] - similar to the sweats of a hypo and mood swings - not unlike the irritability you might experience during a hypo.
Menopause Symptoms
These are the symptoms of the menopause you might confuse with low blood sugars:
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Palpitations
As I said, it's very easy to confuse these symptoms you are feeling between diabetes and the menopause.
When I first started the menopause, I frequently confused waking at 2 a.m. in the morning in a cold sweat as a hypo and took a quick sugar boost to settle myself. That pushed my blood sugar levels way up, which I certainly didn't need! Definitely not a good idea!
It was only after visiting my Doctor to talk about these frequent, unexpected early-morning hypos I discovered I was starting the menopause (I was in my late 40s, so it was rather unexpected, my Doctor told me it normally it doesn't occur until early-to-mid 50s, although other people say otherwise).
If you are a lady, with diabetes controlled by medication, and you are in your late 40's or early 50s and you start having frequent, unexplained hypos - check your sugar levels before 'treating your condition'. And get your Doctor to check your symptoms. You may be confusing symptoms of diabetes and the menopause.
A Drug-free, Natural Solution
When you go to your doctor he may suggest HRT (hormone replacement therapy) to control these symptoms. If you prefer a natural solution, rather than drugs, to give you relief then you'll probably like Menozac, which is a natural herbal solution offered on this website.
And guys; if your lady normally has great control of her diabetes and suddenly seems to be getting moody and shaky unexpectedly, probably showing the same symptoms when she was getting her diabetes into balance (if you knew her then), please be supportive and understanding.
She's going through one hell of an experience, but I promise, she will come through this phase of having to cope with diabetes and the menopause, and will soon be her normal, loving and charming self once again.