Diabetes is a disorder of high blood glucose. Women affected by diabetes,  have some problems different from men.

Studies suggest that greater number of women with diabetes have maturity onset diabetes, that is to say, diabetes that occurs due to body cells becoming resistant to insulin. Middle age bulge, lack of exercise, self negligence, among others, are some of the factors which contribute to it. 

A recent study suggests that phthalates present in body care products like body  lotions and nail polish can also lead to diabetes. Regular use of these products by women may be causative for diabetes in some women. 

Due to hormonal changes occurring during menstrual cycles, the blood glucose levels of a woman can fluctuate, in spite of taking anti diabetic medicines regularly and following dietary restrictions.   Some women develop diabetes during pregnancy. 

In some cases, the blood glucose returns to normal after delivery but in some,  one may  continue to have diabetes needing lifelong dietary restrictions and medicines. 

 Women with diabetes suffer more from eating disorders and this may contribute to aggravation of diabetes. 

More women than men suffer from depression and risk of depression is   much more in those suffering from diabetes.

Women with diabetes are more prone than men to develop heart disease and heart attack  particularly after menopause. This happens due to the withdrawal of protective effects of hormone estrogen   after menopause making them more prone to heart diseases. Diabetes accelerates the process.  

 With uncontrolled diabetes, a woman has increased susceptibility of developing fungal infections of the vagina, which manifests as itching over the genital parts. Dryness of the vagina due to menopause increases the discomfort. Young women with diabetes are more prone to develop various kinds of pelvic infections. This leads to chronic lower abdomen and backache with or without vaginal discharge.

 As such women are at greater risk of developing urinary tract infections due to short length of the urethra and blood loss during menstruation. Diabetes aggravates this. 

 The urinary bladder sphincter (one which helps control over bladder while voiding) becomes weak in women with age, due to multiple pregnancies and deliveries, causing incontinence. Affection of the nervous system due to diabetes further aggravates this problem. 

Affection of the pelvic muscles and nerves leads to vaginismus in women, where one experiences tightening of the vaginal muscles and or pain in lower abdomen and pubic area. 

 Pelvic infections and neuropathy   makes intercourse as painful, devoid of any pleasure. This makes the woman  frigid and lose interest in sex. 

Diabetes tends to damage the peripheral nerves and aggravates the suffering in a woman affected by cervical spondylosis, to which women are more susceptible.. 

Diabetes in women becomes unique   that it affects the woman and also the  children both unborn as well as born. In a pregnant diabetic woman, if the blood sugar remains high, there is a high risk of abortion.

Even if the pregnancy continues, the baby born may be grand in size and can even have congenital defects. An overweight baby is at greater risk of developing diabetes as he grows older.

Women should understand about diabetes and how it affects their overall health. Once diagnosed  with  diabetes, they should adhere regularly to the treatment and other measures prescribed.

Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital