High Blood Sugar during Peri & Menopause ..

Women's health
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Did you know that if you are going through menopause it could be impacting blood sugar levels?

This happened to me three years ago during peri menopause, after a fasting blood sugar bllod test, told borderline type 2 diabetes, so, I have to monitor regularly, no family history of diabetes, and not over weight... 

all in order now, it was peri causing it... but I was not aware until the blood test.

Yes, it's true! Your female hormones, estrogens and progesterone affect your cells' sensitivity to insulin.

So if you thought as your menopausal symptoms have gotten worse your blood sugar levels have also become less predictable, you are not crazy, it is true.

Why does one of your health conditions affect another? It is happening because our hormones impact 

There are three different estrogens which are produced mainly in the ovaries each month that we have our menstrual cycle. As we move into menopause the levels of estrogen being produced in the ovaries begin to decline.

Once in the blood stream, insulin travels to cells to help remove glucose from the blood so it can enter all of our cells easily.

Estrogen has a protective effect on pancreas cells and prevents them from premature cell death. It also works on the cells of the pancreas to increase the production of insulin when required by certain conditions, such as diabetes.

The decline in estrogen seems to cause our cells to become more insulin resistant, exacerbating blood glucose levels circulating in the body.

Insulin resistance causes cells to not absorb glucose from the bloodstream as readily so blood glucose levels get higher. This causes a higher probability of exacerbating high blood sugars and diabetic complications over time.

So what is the solution to this seemingly-complicated situation where menopause and diabetes co-exist in your body?

If you are taking medications to control your blood sugars, whether orally or by injection, be diligent about taking them daily.

It is important to monitor your blood sugar levels consistently during menopause and pay attention to lifestyle behaviors that support healthy blood sugar levels: exercise, stress management and food choices.

Blood sugars can be well-maintained through a healthy whole foods diet and consistent daily exercise. So by working with a knowledgeable naturopathic doctor or health care practitioner you can keep your diabetes under control during menopause.

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Why Should You Avoid Excess Sugar Consumption?

Before being able to understand why experts advise against high sugar consumption in menopause, you need to know what causes a hot flash or night sweat to occur. A menopausal woman is likely to experience a hot flash or night sweat episode because of the hormone imbalance in the body. When the body has a lower amount of estrogen, the part of the brain which controls temperature, called the hypothalamus, is directly affected. The hypothalamus misunderstood the body's signals and believes the body is overheating so triggers “cooling down” sensors. This is the hot flash, or night sweat. So, what has sugar got to do with this? Read on to learn more.

The Effects of Sugar in Your Body

Sugar can severely affect a menopausal woman's body.

Triggers stress response

An excess amount of sugar causes an artificial high source of sugar, which triggers the body to go into a stress response with the assumption that the body is under stress. The stress response originates in the hypothalamus and causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, and an increase in blood circulation; all signs of a hot flash or night sweat.

Increases heart rate

As well as the stress response raising the heart beat, sugar has a vasoconstriction effect which causes the heart beat to increase.

Increase body temperature

The increase in sugar increases a woman's blood sugar level which in turn elevates the overall body temperature.

You might ask how these three factors trigger a hot flash or night sweat episodes. When sugar is consumed in high quantities, and the body reacts in the ways listed above, the hypothalamus is confused even more, and therefore sends out more messages to the rest of the body which work to cool you down. And if your heart rate and temperature are already increased, it is no surprise that your body goes in to overdrive and you experience an overwhelming amount of heat at one time. Remember, you are what you eat, so change bad habits.

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All really useful stuff to know Jay. I think this is what has happened to me but I'm being really careful now with what I eat and have lost 19lbs in the process. The night sweats don't seem to be such a problem now,it's the blasted dizziness and face/ neck pain. Driving me mad. So important to look after yourself at this time. Xx

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Hi Mooma

wow 19lb ... thats amazing..

your a good example to us all..

its so true though..

' we are what we eat'

have a nice evening Mooma

Jay xx