How Diabetes Affects Women

Diabetes can affect both men and women, but there are some differences that occur 
when a woman gets type 2 diabetes. If you have signs and symptoms of this disease, or 
have recently been diagnosed, here are some things to know about having diabetes as 
a woman.

You Can Get Gestational Diabetes

One of the more unique things about being a woman and getting diabetes is that even if 
you don’t have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you can get gestational diabetes if you 
become pregnant. This is when you have a spike in your blood sugar only while 
pregnant, which goes away after you deliver your baby. However, while you are 
pregnant, you should take gestational diabetes just as seriously as any other form of 
diabetes, monitoring your blood sugar and watching your diet.

There Are Sexual Changes

Another way diabetes is different for women is that it can affect your sex life if you don’t 
manage it properly. You may notice changes in your sexual function from the nerve 
damage. Diabetes when not treated properly can ultimately lead to tingling and loss of 
feeling in various body parts, including your vaginal area. You may also have an 
increased amount of dryness in your vagina, which can also negatively impact your sex 
life. Additionally, common signs and symptoms for women with diabetes are increased 
infections like yeast infections, as well as urinary tract infections.

Higher Risk for PCOS

Diabetes can also affect women by creating a higher risk for conditions like PCOS. This 
stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome and is caused by irregular hormonal levels 
brought on by insulin resistance. As you know, insulin resistance can also lead to 
diabetes, which is why these two are linked so closely. PCOS can lead to infertility, 
weight gain, depression, and the symptoms of diabetes as well. 

As a woman with diabetes, you also have all the same symptoms and dangers as men 
with this disease. You need to be concerned about foot problems, eye diseases like 
diabetic retinopathy, fatigue, weight fluctuations, dizziness, and nerve damage. It is 
important that you get treatment as soon as you are diagnosed with diabetes and that 
you listen to your doctor’s orders as far as treatments and lifestyle changes go. Whether 
you change your diet or have to take medications, it can help you deal with diabetes 
and avoid all the potential complications at the same time.

