Diabetes is one of the most prevalent lifestyle diseases today. It usually affects women differently due to the hormonal variations between men and women.
Some people don’t find out they have diabetes until when it is almost too late because the symptoms can be so mild. Though the signs and symptoms of diabetes are common in men and women, women experience certain unique symptoms such as:
Yeast infections
Yeast feeds on glucose and so can grow in any warm or moist fold of skin. An overgrowth of yeast is called Candida albicans which can cause vaginal and oral yeast infections called “thrush.” High levels of glucose in the blood are favorable for the growth of this yeast.
These infections are characterized by symptoms such as itching, soreness, vaginal discharge and pain during sex. Whereas, in the case of oral yeast infections, a cheese-like coating can be visible on the inside of the mouth and tongue.
Urinary tract infections
For women, the risk of UTIs is higher with diabetes. UTIs occur when bacteria gain access to the urinary tract, where they colonize and cause infection.
Signs and symptoms include high blood glucose levels, painful and burning sensation during urination, fever, and cloudy or bloody urine.
Slow-healing sores and numbness
As you grow older, high blood sugar can inhibit blood flow and result to nerve damage. This can make it hard for the body to heal wounds or cuts.
Another result of nerve damage is pain or numbness in the feet or legs.
Poor sexual health
Due to the high levels of blood sugar, diabetics suffer a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. This is when nerves lose their ability to properly transmit signals between the organs and brain. This can lead to partial or complete loss of sensation in parts of the body including hands, legs, as well as the vagina.
Diabetic neuropathy may then significantly affect sexual sensation in a woman, leading to a lower sexual drive in women.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a metabolic syndrome occasioned by hormonal imbalance in the female body. PCOS causes depression, irregular periods, facial hair, acne, hair loss, weight gain, as well as infertility in women. Women who suffer PCOS are most times, at a high risk of getting diabetes. PCOS is therefore one vital early warning of diabetes.
To prevent early signs of diabetes in women, the following precautions need to be taken:
Make lifestyle changes
To fight diabetes, drop your carbohydrate intake, eat good quality fats, more veggies and fruits daily. Going for a brisk walks, daily exercises daily and engaging in playing games are also good lifestyle changes to consider.
Avoid smoking
Cigarettes are terrible for diabetics because it makes insulin resistance very difficult.
Drop the weight
To develop some insulin resistance and keep diabetes far away, you need to keep your weight in check.
If you show any of the early signs of diabetes, insist on seeing your doctor as soon as possible!
