According to a recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, postmenopausal women who frequently experience extreme symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, said Dr. Anil Bhoraskar, senior diabetologist at SL Raheja Hospital, Mumbai (India).
Among them, hormonal changes during menopause affect the way your body produces and uses insulin (the hormone that regulates sugar levels), which can lead to fluctuating blood sugar levels, weight gain, and higher blood pressure.
The link between hot flashes, night sweats and type 2 diabetes
Hot flashes and night sweats are among the causes of decreased female hormone levels.
This can cause a variety of changes, including increased levels of adrenal hormones such as cortisol and counter-regulatory hormones (which include cortisol, growth hormone, glucagon, epinephrine, and norepinephrine — a group of hormones that work together to prevent hypoglycemia and maintain the body's fuel supply).
These changes can lead to the body secreting less insulin and releasing too many catecholamines (such as stress hormones like dopamine and adrenaline).
Notably, replacement therapy, which replenishes female hormone levels, often prescribed during menopause, can sometimes worsen underlying diabetes.
Dr. Anil Bhoraskar analyzed that in cases where women are given additional hormones, especially during perimenopause, this therapy can negatively affect insulin production and increase insulin resistance.
However, hormone therapy may only increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in certain cases.
Health notes for premenopausal women
Lifestyle factors and family medical history play an important role in women's health, especially during perimenopause, notes Dr. Anil Bhoraskar.
Therefore, you should manage your weight by reducing your fat intake, exercising at least 45 minutes a day. Physical activity is good for diabetes and can help control blood sugar levels during perimenopause and menopause.
Regular blood sugar testing is important because although menopause is a normal physiological phenomenon in women, hormonal changes during this period can affect all organs in the body.
