Diabetes is a chronic health condition that arises when levels of blood glucose also known as blood
sugar, are too high. And over time, having too much glucose in your body can lead to serious health
problems. It can cause problems such as heart attack or stroke, blindness, complications during
pregnancy and kidney failure. Diabetes is a prevalent problem that thousands of people have to live
with. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender or lifestyle. Hence, it is time to stop and think
about how diabetes impacts everyone’s health, especially women.

Realising the symptoms of diabetes in women, is first about realising that it affects women differently
than men. Women with diabetes have a higher risk of heart diseases, blindness and depression, which
makes it a top concern for women of all ages.

The Health Risks of Diabetes in Women

The three main types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is due to
an autoimmune reaction that destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes
happens when the body does not make enough insulin or does not utilise insulin well. Gestational
diabetes occurs when the body cannot make enough insulin during pregnancy. Both of the main types of
diabetes, being Type 1 and Type 2, bring with them unique health concerns and risks for women. The
problem we face, is that diabetes in women is often left undiagnosed or improperly maintained due to
the differences in cardiovascular factors, hormones, and symptoms.
For example, research has shown that women with diabetes are at a higher risk of depression, which is
already more prevalent in women than it is in men. Diabetes is also known to cause a higher frequency
of eating disorders in women and a greater risk of heart attack.

Diabetes in Men vs Diabetes in Women

The study of diabetes emphasizes how it affects women differently than men. Following are the reasons:
 It is more difficult to diagnose the complications of diabetes in women.
 Women are often inflicted with different kinds of heart diseases than men.
 Inflammation and hormones act differently in women.
 Women are often given a much less aggressive treatment for cardiovascular risk factors when
related to diabetes.
If you are a woman who has diabetes, or are at risk for developing the disease, and the above
mentioned points are your areas of concern, then worry not because at Shree Mahavir Jain Hospital we
take this very seriously. Our multi-speciality hospital in Thane helps all patients, both male and female,
to understand how diabetes affects women differently and how to recognize and treat its symptoms.
That is why we offer this blog focusing on information and advice.

Symptoms of Diabetes in Women

Women with diabetes are mostly known to experience many of the same symptoms as men. However,
there are some symptoms unique only to women. Understanding both these will help you identify your
diabetes, so you can seek treatment as early as possible.

Symptoms specific to Females
 Urinary tract and Yeast infections
 Vaginal and oral thrush
 Sexual dysfunction in females
 Hormonal fluctuations during menses
 Polycystic ovary syndrome

Symptoms specific to Males and Females
 Increased hunger and thirst
 Fatigue
 Frequency in urination
 Weight gain or loss
 Blurry vision
 Slow healing of wounds
 Nausea
 Skin infections
 Dark skin patches
 Irritability
 Fruity or Sweet breath
 Reduced feeling in the feet or hands

Pregnancy and Diabetes

Diabetes is a particularly pressing health concern for pregnant women because it not only affects the
mother’s health but also the health of her unborn child. If you are trying to have a baby or even if you
are already pregnant, it is of the utmost importance that you talk to your doctor and take all the
necessary precautions regarding the symptoms of diabetes in women during pregnancy. Even if you do
not have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, pregnancy puts you at risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Which is why now it is a standard practice for all pregnant women to be routinely screened for
gestational diabetes. While gestational diabetes often goes away post delivery, there are still
complications and a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Taking care is most imperative.

Lifestyle Changes
Positive changes in your lifestyle can certainly help you in successfully managing diabetes and thereby
increasing your life expectancy. These include:

 Exercising and maintaining your weight
 Healthy eating habits
 Quitting cigarette smoking
 Following a diet focused on fruits, vegetables and whole grains
 Staying physically active
 Monitoring blood glucose levels
 Taking prescribed medications

Conclusion

At Shree Mahavir Jain Hospital, our main goal is to help you get and stay healthy. A crucial part of that is
screening you for diabetes, and then helping you learn how to successfully manage it. Having diabetes
means that you need to take certain necessary precautions regardless of being a man or a woman. For
that much added support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our multi-speciality hospital in
Thane, your one source and total solution for diabetes care.