The Link Between Diabetes and Your Gynecological Health

Most people know diabetes affects their blood sugar (glucose) levels, but what many don’t realize is that it affects their health in other ways, too. For women, diabetes can have a big impact on gynecological health, causing symptoms that aren't always immediately obvious.

In recognition of National Diabetes Month, our team at Feminine Urgicare is dedicating this post to a better understanding of the link between diabetes and gynecological health. Here’s what you need to know to make sure you stay as healthy as possible.

Diabetes and women’s health

Every cell in your body depends on blood sugar or glucose for energy to perform key tasks and remain healthy and viable. Just as too little glucose can leave cells without sufficient energy reserves, too much glucose can cause damage to your cells, tissues, and organs.

Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas that helps manage and stabilize glucose, maintaining an optimal level that supports normal cell function. 

Diabetes happens when your body doesn’t produce enough (or any) insulin, or when your body doesn’t use insulin the way it’s supposed to.

Without enough insulin, glucose levels quickly rise to dangerous levels. 

A diabetes management plan plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance between insulin and glucose levels. 

Still, sometimes, even with a plan, you can wind up with an imbalance that leads to a wide array of health issues, including issues involving your reproductive health.

Gynecological effects of diabetes

The gynecological effects of diabetes can be subtle, and many times, women ignore symptoms or attribute them to something else, delaying treatment that can not only improve those symptoms but also help them manage their glucose levels more efficiently. 

Here are some of the more common ways diabetes can affect your reproductive organs and health.

Yeast infections and UTIs

Many people love sugary snacks, and the yeasts and bacteria that cause infections love sugar, too. 

Elevated glucose levels create an environment that makes yeast and bacteria far more likely to reproduce and grow. As a result, women with diabetes often have frequent yeast infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Poorly managed diabetes can make treating these infections more difficult. If you have frequent infections, it could be a sign that your diabetes management plan needs to be adjusted for better glucose control.

Irregular menstrual cycles

Poorly managed glucose levels can also take a toll on your periods and menstrual cycle. Many women with diabetes have periods that are heavier or more painful, or their cycles may be irregular, making it more challenging to engage in activities.

Because fertility and conception depend on regular ovulation, these changes in menstruation can also make it harder to get pregnant. Diabetes can also affect the hormones that control ovulation, causing additional fertility problems. 

Sexual activity and satisfaction

Sexual satisfaction depends a lot on nerve endings responding to stimulation. Diabetes can damage nerves, leading to less sexual pleasure and satisfaction. 

At the same time, diabetes can alter your circulatory system, resulting in decreased blood flow to your vagina. Over time, lower blood flow increases the risk of vaginal dryness, causing discomfort that makes sex less enjoyable and even painful.

Pregnancy complications

Finally, diabetes can also pose challenges with pregnancy and fetal development. While pre-existing diabetes can cause its own issues, some women develop diabetes during pregnancy, a condition called gestational diabetes.

 Like “regular” diabetes, gestational diabetes must be aggressively managed to prevent pregnancy complications and health problems for both you and your baby.

When to seek medical care

If you have diabetes, it’s important not to ignore gynecological symptoms or cancers, and not to delay having them evaluated. Even seemingly mild symptoms can escalate if they’re caused by poorly controlled diabetes. 

Having regular gynecological exams is always important, but it’s especially important if you have diabetes. To schedule your exam or to find the cause of any unusual symptoms, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine Urgicare in Paramus and Clifton, New Jersey, today.