For women with diabetes, some of the ups and downs that come with diabetes can be attributed to hormones. Hormonal changes due to puberty, menstrual cycle, birth control, menopause, or stress can lead make it more difficult to manage blood sugar.
Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, hormones play a part in blood glucose fluctuations. Understanding how different hormones may affect your blood sugar can help you learn how to best manage your diabetes.
Growth Hormone and Puberty
Both women and men go through puberty, and it usually occurs between 9 and 16 years of age. While many hormones begin kicking in during puberty, one of the big ones is growth hormone.
Growth hormone gets released by the pituitary gland, which is part of your brain. When you have high levels of growth hormone in your body, it can cause insulin resistance.[i] This can make it more difficult to manage blood sugar during puberty, especially during growth spurts.
Along with the presence of growth hormone, other things that may have an effect on type 1 diabetes during puberty include:
- Peer pressure
- Behavioral changes
- Changing sleep habits
- Increased appetite
Menstrual Cycle Hormonal Fluctuations
Once a woman begins menstruating, hormones fluctuate with the menstrual cycle. It’s common for women to notice changes in blood sugar levels based upon where they’re at in their cycle.[ii]
Many women report higher blood sugars in the days before their period. Others note that after their period starts, they have low blood sugar levels. Of course, hormone levels fluctuate different from woman to woman.
Stress Hormones and Diabetes
Stress can happen at any stage of life. A death in the family, new baby, problem at work, moving, or difficulty with loved ones can increase stress levels.
The problem with stress is that the body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol can make muscle and fat cells more resistant to insulin. It also enhances glucose production by the liver. Adrenaline also promotes sugar production in the liver.[iii]
This means that when you’re under a lot of stress, the production of these hormones may make it harder to manage blood sugar. Some people require more insulin to manage their diabetes when going through periods of stress.
Birth Control Hormones Effect on Diabetes
Taking birth control proves important if you want to prevent pregnancy. But certain types of birth control can affect blood sugar. Some women have found that a lower dose combination pill of estrogen and progestin may affect glucose levels.[iv]
Checking blood sugar regularly and adjust medications as needed can help resolve these fluctuations. However, some physicians may suggest progestin-only birth control to prevent blood sugar changes. Your healthcare team can help you determine what type of birth control is best for your body and your diabetes care plan.
Sources
[i] https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type1/understanding-type-1-diabetes/how-the-body-processes-sugar/blood-sugar-other-hormones/
[ii] https://beyondtype1.org/hormones-and-their-affect-on-type-1-diabetes-management/
[iii] https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type1/understanding-type-1-diabetes/how-the-body-processes-sugar/blood-sugar-other-hormones/
[iv] https://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/health-centres/diabetes/reproductive-and-sexual-health/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6320346/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321421#Estrogen-targets-pancreatic-and-gut-cells
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