Posted on July 10, 2008 in Latest News
If you are a woman and a diabetic, controlling diabetes during menstruation can be quite a challenge. During your periods, the usual techniques you adopt to keep diabetes at bay may prove to be weak, since complications may arise. But with the right guidance and expert advice, you still can manage diabetes easily during your periods.
The hormones which control the menstrual cycle are capable of affecting the blood glucose. Changes in these hormones may raise your blood glucose just before your periods and may lead to a drop once the cycle has set in.
Changes are due to two hormones, estrogen and progesterone. When these hormones are at their highest level just before your period, they affect another important hormone, insulin, which may, in turn, cause blood glucose to rise. In some women, blood glucose levels are lower before and during their periods. Each woman needs to discover her own pattern.
Some tips to keep blood sugar level steady
Record your blood sugar levels each day — not just during menstruation. Also make note of any signs and symptoms you experience before menstruation, such as bloating, irritability, fatigue, cramps, weight gain or food cravings. Record the day your period begins and the day it ends.
Eat at regular meal times to try and avoid large swings in blood glucose and to keep you from overeating later.
Try to maintain your regular exercise pattern as this helps to decrease blood glucose and will help you to feel better emotionally.
Your doctor may recommend that women with diabetes type 1 increase insulin by adjusting the intermediate acting insulin, NPH, or Lente later in the evenings at different points in your menstrual cycle so as to keep blood glucose levels stable.
Comments
Leave a Reply
