Hormone changes are known to alter insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, as well as interfere with women’s sleep patterns. But little was known about the association between diabetes and sleep disturbances during the menopause transition until now; as a new study concludes that women with diabetes are at greater risk for sleep disturbances. Study results are publish online today in Menopause; the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
Estrogen and progesterone are know to influence cell response to insulin. As a result, it has been suspected that the hormone changes of the menopause transition could cause fluctuations in a woman’s blood sugar levels, putting her at greater risk of diabetes. Statistically, midlife women have a higher prevalence rate of type 2 diabetes during the menopause transition. Similarly, hormone changes have show to affect a woman’s quality of sleep.
Hot flashes by hormone
Mainly because of night sweats and hot flashes cause by hormone changes, about 42% of premenopausal and 60% of postmenopausal women reportedly have sleep disturbances. For those with diabetes, sleep difficulties could be worsen by various diabetes symptoms and relate medications that cause; among other problems, more frequent urination; that could wake women up multiple times during the night. At the same time, sleep is identify as a key factor in trying to prevent and manage diabetes.
Despite all these acknowledge associations; few studies to date have evaluate the possible association between diabetes; also sleep disturbances during the menopause transition. However, a new study base on data from two larger Internet survey studies show; so that the mean total number of sleep-related symptoms; which was significantly higher in those with type 2 diabetes than those without the disease.
Women with diabetes
The severity of the sleep problems was also greater for women with diabetes. Although this association was demonstrate in four major racial/ethnic groups; so in the United States it was particularly pronounce in Asian women. Study results appear in the article “Sleep relate symptoms of midlife women with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus.”
This study suggests worse sleep relate symptoms in postmenopausal Asian women with type 2 diabetes compare with those without diabetes. Further study is need, give the limitations of the analysis; but this report highlights the fact that sleep problems are common in midlife women. Sleep is an important determinant of health; also women with poor sleep should be see; also evaluate for common and treatable sleep disorders such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome.