Chapter 25 - Diabetes in mid-life women

Summary

The development of diabetes at mid life can make the management of both menopausal symptoms and diabetes more difficult. Good glycemic control, thorough education, self blood glucose monitoring, diet and exercise, as well as medications, are important to minimize the increased health risks associated with diabetes. There are more women than men with diabetes, especially in developed countries. Risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes include obesity, physical inactivity, age, and family history of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease if obesity and physical inactivity are modified with lifestyle changes for both men and women. Depression is more common in women with diabetes, and depression also increases in postmenopausal women. Since anxiety and depression can adversely affect glycemic control, stress management and pharmacological treatment of severe depression may have a positive effect on glycemic control.