THEdiabetes in women can affect the hormonal system, establishing “dangerous relationships”. In fact, it can lead to a shorter reproductive periodone early menopause orin reverse, he was cheating. The experts explain it SID, Italian Society of Diabetology.
Menopause and hormonal system
With an expectation of average lifespan of 85 years and an age of entry into menopause of 52 yearswomen spend on average 30 years without the protection of estrogen on the heart and bones. The picture becomes more complicated when we take into account the cessation of the menstrual cycle together diabetes. In healthy women the hormonal system works in a complex balance, a synchronized orchestra in which each instrument knows its part. But in women with diabetes the drop in estrogen leads to many “false notes”. The dance of hormones loses its rhythm.
The increase in fat mass: what consequences
«Menopause is a physiological and normal process in women’s lives, characterized by decreased levels of sex hormones. But if the production of estrogen is rather fast, that of androgens is slower, resulting in a higher level in circulation. Also during menopause an increase in fat mass and decrease in lean mass is typicalall factors that can predispose to insulin resistance and the development, or worsening, of type 2 diabetes», explains the Doctor Veronica Residiabetologist at the Milan Polyclinic and coordinator of the joint Study Group SID – AMD Diabetes and Pregnancy.
Blood sugar and menopause
At the same time, pre-existing diabetes affects ovarian function. «In women who have developed the diabetes in adulthoodcalled ‘late onset’, weight gain could postpone the age of menopause. But in some womenon the contrary, we are witnessing one early menopause. This happens when blood sugar control is not optimal and determines chronic damage to the internal walls of the blood vessels which causes a cascade premature aging of the ovarian reserve and its exhaustion”, continues Dr. Resi.
I study
A famous longitudinal study, “The menopause transition and women’s health at midlife: a progress report from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation”, demonstrated that women with pre-existing diabetesboth type 1 and type 2, have entered in menopause earlier than those without diabetes. Furthermore, in a cross-sectional analysis of the study conducted on over 6 thousand women in 11 countriesthe presence of type 2 diabetes has tripled the risk of early menopause.
Diabetes and decline in estrogen
«Research has not demonstrated a direct relationship between menopause and the development of type 2 diabetes. However declining estrogen levels can lead to weight gain with reduction of lean mass e triggering insulin resistance which predisposes to the disease. This risk is higher in overweight and obese women. Furthermore, a further prospective study demonstrated that women who enter early menopause of course, before the age of 40, they have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to women who enter menopause after the age of 50″, continue the SID experts.
Replacement therapy and risk of diabetes
The standard treatment for menopause is HT hormone therapy, which works supplementing estrogen and other hormones which decrease during this period of life. Such therapy is often used in women with significant menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes and night sweats. Well, HT can too reduce the risk of diabetes. It has in fact been shown that taking estrogen supplements can reduce fasting blood sugar levels by acting on insulin resistance and visceral fat. HT is not for everyone and must be prescribed by the treating gynecologist.
The risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease
Both diabetes and menopause interact as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. Post menopausal women with type 2 diabetes are exposed to a higher risk of fractures. Furthermore, the Cardiovascular pathology is 2 times more common in patients with diabetes I respect healthy ones. During menopause, hormonal changes lead to a increased inflammation and favor the onset of atherosclerosis, already present in itself in diabetic disease. Therefore, Diabetes and menopause act as a vicious cycle that must be recognized and broken.
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