Appointments
+(603) 5515 1966
General Line
+(603) 5515 1888
June 9, 2025
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting more and more people across the world including Malaysia. Studies suggest about 20% of Malaysian adults suffer from this disease out of which the majority are women. 57.1% of those suffering from diabetes in Malaysia belong to the female gender.
That’s concerning. And that is why our topic of discussion today is specifically focused on diabetes in women.
Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that affects the glucose levels in the blood as well as the hormone insulin which controls various metabolisms of the human body. Although our topic of discussion here is diabetes in women, one must remember that diabetes as a disease is beyond gender and any human body is susceptible to it.
Diabetes is often referred to as a silent killer disease since it silently affects different organs and metabolic functions. Although diabetes affects both men and women, the consequences and impact on a woman’s body are somewhat more severe.
Some symptoms that can potentially affect anyone with diabetes are feeling thirsty and hungry more often, frequent urination, unusual loss or gain in weight, constant fatigue, nausea, blurry vision, slow healing of wounds, skin infections, acanthosis nigricans or simply dark patches in the armpit area groins or the back of the neck.
Both pre-diabetic men and women may have these symptoms. However, women may have some unique symptoms. Understanding these signs at an early age helps cure or prevention faster and more effectively.
Let’s take a look at some symptoms of diabetes which are unique for women:
Type 1 diabetes is a rare clinical condition that can develop at any age but is particularly diagnosed in children or appears before the age of 40. Type 1 diabetes is a critical health condition where the pancreas (a very small gland behind the stomach) reduces the production of Insulin (hormone regulating blood sugar) and ultimately stops producing at all.
10% of pre-diabetics suffer from type 1 diabetes. Insulin plays a pivotal role in regulating female reproductive functions through its effects on various hormones which have control over the central nervous system along with the entire ovarial system in a woman.
Women suffering from type 1 diabetes (T1D) usually have a much shorter reproductive period than non-diabetic women. Evidence shows that hyperglycaemia and insulin deficiency disrupt the normal female reproductive system and its functions. Type 1 diabetes is also directly associated with the occurrence of early natural menopause. It also increases the risk of various cardiovascular diseases like stroke. Other diseases such as osteoporosis or any bone-related situations such as a small fracture can create big complications amongst women suffering from type 1 diabetes.
It is more likely that someone you know has type 2 diabetes. 95% of pre-diabetics suffer from type 2 diabetes, a chronic disorder in which the body is unable to use the insulin produced and ultimately ends up with a higher sugar level in the blood. In people suffering from type 2 diabetes, insulin is produced or used by the body inefficiently resulting in a higher blood glucose level. Initially, the pancreas releases a higher dosage of insulin but eventually, it fails to keep up to maintain the blood glucose in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes is at an all-time high all over the world, thanks to the rising levels of obesity and sedentary lifestyles. In the past type 2 diabetes was sometimes referred to as adult-onset diabetes as it occurred mostly in adults. Although recently it is being increasingly diagnosed in children and younger adults as well.
Luckily type 2 diabetes can be checked and managed through lifestyle changes, and medications that help in lowering the blood sugar levels. Glucose is the main source of energy in the human body. Whether you consume carbohydrates or protein, your body extracts nutrients from the food you consume, which get converted into glucose. This glucose then enters the bloodstream through the help of insulin.
Women have a greater risk after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes especially because of obesity. Generally, in a woman’s lifespan, she experiences more psychological stress because of greater hormone fluctuations due to reproductive factors. Sometimes pre-existing metabolic abnormalities such as gestational (rare form) diabetes are discovered during pregnancy. Also, menopause increases a woman’s cardiometabolic risk especially affected by type 2 diabetes.
In general symptoms of type 2 diabetes in women include:
However, sometimes type 2 diabetes may not show any symptoms at all.
Excessively high blood sugar levels can lead to a condition called HHS – hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state, a life-threatening condition that is reflected through severe dehydration, disorientation, and loss of consciousness, which can become permanent.
To diagnose type 2 diabetes, your doctor will review your medical history and then conduct some physical examinations. More importantly, blood tests will be done to measure blood glucose levels. Your doctor may ask you about your symptoms, family history and questions about your lifestyle to determine the risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
The most commonly used tests include:
Other tests may also be conducted to draw different kinds of conclusions.
At some point of time in life most women get a sort of vaginal yeast infection or a urinary tract infection (UTI), but women with diabetes and a higher blood sugar level have a much higher risk than non-diabetic women. Higher levels of sugar encourage yeast and bacterial infections to grow. Diabetes can also lead to a loss of interest in having sexual intercourse or the ability to enjoy it at all. Vaginal dryness can make sexual intercourse physically uncomfortable or even painful for a pre-diabetic woman. Hormonal imbalance is also very common.
To restrict or prevent such yeast infections and UTIs, you must keep the blood sugar levels in check. Most commonly through oral medication or insulin hormonal injections (strictly under medical supervision and doctor’s prescription). Consuming a lot of water, wearing cotton undergarments frequent urination rather than retaining urine till a full bladder and in general a constantly clean hygienically disciplined lifestyle reduces the risk of infections significantly.
As far as having sexual issues due to diabetes is concerned consulting a physician is the easiest way out. According to your doctor’s advice, a woman can use artificial lubricants or other exercises which can increase a woman’s sexual response.
Gestational diabetes is a rare form of diabetes where women develop a high blood sugar level during pregnancy. It is different from type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In this form, various pregnancy hormones interfere with the way insulin works in a woman’s body.
As a result, they start producing more insulin. But in some cases, it is not sufficient enough. And thus they develop the stage known as gestational diabetes.
Generally, women over 40 are more susceptible to type 2 Diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes-affected women can continue their treatment without using insulin injections or oral medication. By maintaining a disciplined and healthy lifestyle which includes diet and exercise, they can manage their blood sugar level and keep it under control. Some basic precautionary measures to be taken are
In general, keeping in touch with your doctor at regular intervals and maintaining the physician’s suggestions are key factors in controlling diabetes.
While there’s not a great deal of a difference between pre-diabetic men and women, as discussed above women, suffer a bit more both mentally and physically when diagnosed with diabetes. The primary factor that contributes to a woman’s suffering is the anatomy of the female body itself and their ability to bear a child.
Pregnancy plays the most important role when it comes to diabetic men vs diabetic women. The female physiology is much more complex than a man’s. Various complex hormonal structures also play their part. Thus, a woman has to be much more cautious than a man.
Diabetes poses a significant and unique health challenge for women, impacting everything from reproductive health to long-term well-being. While the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, the message remains clear: prevention, early detection, and comprehensive care. By prioritising healthy lifestyle choices, including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight, women can significantly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is more common in women due to their inherent anatomy. The key factors here are the ovarian and hormonal structure of a female body that makes it prone to diabetes.
Diabetes affects the male and female body more or less similarly. However, the female body is somewhat more affected by diabetes because of complications related to pregnancy and other hormonal factors. Psychological stress is also an added suffering that women have to go through due to hormonal imbalances.
Sources:
Spread the love, follow us on our social media channels