Diabetes and The Menopause

You might be thinking "What's the connection betweenthe morning in a cold sweat as a hypo and took a
diabetes and the menopause?"Well, for ladies reachingquick sugar boost to settle myself. That pushed my
that certain age, it can be very traumatic - especiallyblood sugar levels up when I didn't need it. Not a good
when some of the effects experienced can easily beidea!It was only after visiting my Doctor to talk about
mistaken for those we have to be aware of whenthese frequent, unexpected hypos I discovered I was
managing our diabetes...For a diabetic taking medication,starting the menopause (I was in my late 40s, so it
keeping blood sugars at the right level is a balancingwas rather unexpected, normally it doesn't occur until
act. If sugar levels drop too low, because of not eatingearly-to-mid 50s).If you are a lady, with diabetes
enough or at the right times, you suffer acontrolled by medication, and you are in your early 50s
hypoglycemia episode (sometimes called 'hypo' forand you start having frequent, unexplained hypos -
short). For me, this usually manifests itself as shaking;check your sugar levels before 'treating the condition'.
irritability; sweating and a faint-headed feeling. If you areAnd get your Doctor to check your symptoms. You
diabetic and have ever had low-blood sugar you maymay be confusing symptoms of diabetes and the
recognize some of these symptoms, amongst others.menopause.And guys; if your lady normally has great
A quick 'glucose fix' usually settles it within 5-10control of her diabetes and suddenly seems to be
minutes.Now, compare that to some of the symptomsshowing the same symptoms when she was getting
of starting the menopause; hot flushes [I call themher diabetes into balance (if you knew her then) please
'power-surges' ;)] - similar to the sweats of a hypo;be supportive and understanding, she's going through
mood swings - akin to the irritability you mightone hell of an experience, but I promise, she will come
experience during a hypo. It's very easy to confusethrough and be her normal, loving and charming self
the symptoms you are feeling.When I first started theonce again.
menopause, I frequently confused waking at 2 a.m. in