Diabetes in Women: Symptoms, Causes, & How to Manage It
By gender, women are five times more likely than men to develop diabetes.[1] By recognizing the signs of diabetes in women, you can take preventive or early action to keep the condition from getting worse.
Signs of Diabetes in Women

Physically, women are 30% more prone to obesity, one of the main causes of diabetes.[1][2] Therefore, women are at greater risk of developing diabetes.
Some of the signs of high blood sugar in women include:
1. Vaginal Itching
People with diabetes usually have high levels of sugar in their urine. As a result, when they urinate, the urine creates an ideal environment for fungi and bacteria to grow in the genital area. This can lead to itching and vaginal discharge due to a fungal infection.
2. Bladder Dysfunction
This condition refers to the body's inability to control urine flow, causing urine to leak or pass unexpectedly. It affects around 50% of women with diabetes.[3]
3. Vaginal Dryness
Another sign of diabetes in women is dryness in the genital area.
High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the genital area, reducing natural lubrication. In addition to causing discomfort, this condition can also lower libido during sex.[4]
4. Irregular Periods
Another sign of diabetes in adult women is irregular menstruation.
The body's increased insulin production to manage blood sugar can lead to excessive testosterone production. This can trigger PCOS and cause irregular periods.[5]
Causes of Diabetes in Women

The causes of diabetes in women depend largely on the type of diabetes they have. Here's an explanation:
- Type 1 Diabetes: This condition is caused by factors beyond a person's control, such as viral infections and genetics, which prevent the body from producing enough insulin.
- Type 2 Diabetes: In women, this condition is caused by obesity resulting from an unhealthy lifestyle, including food choices and lack of exercise.
- Gestational Diabetes: This condition is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy and generally goes away on its own after childbirth.
What Are the Effects of Diabetes in Women?

Not only can diabetes leave you feeling weak and drowsy, but if left untreated for too long, it can develop into more serious health problems, such as heart disease, blindness, premature birth, and even miscarriage.
Diabetes Treatment Options
Diabetes treatment is basically the same for men and women. You can try the following steps to improve your condition:
1. Insulin Injections

When diabetes becomes severe, insulin injections can help meet the body's insulin needs and keep blood sugar levels under better control. Consult a doctor to determine the right insulin dose for you.
2. Taking Sido Muncul Diabe

World Diabetes Day is a great opportunity to focus on your health. Sido Muncul Diabe, formulated with herbs, offers a solution to help relieve diabetes symptoms.
Enriched with Java tea leaves, mulberry, meniran, and Indonesian bay leaves, this herbal supplement helps relieve diabetes symptoms and helps you control your blood sugar.
Let's work toward a healthier, better-quality life!
3. Lifestyle Changes

For people with less severe diabetes, a healthy lifestyle can be key to managing the condition. Here are some simple steps you can take to improve your health:
- Avoid foods low in sugar and carbohydrates, such as potatoes, corn, rice, and squash.
- Maintain a regular exercise routine, for at least 30 minutes each day.
- Make sure you get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
How to Prevent Diabetes

Since obesity is a leading cause of diabetes in women, start preventing it by maintaining a healthy weight. Here's how:
Choose Your Daily Foods Carefully
Start eating healthy foods that are high in fiber and low in sugar and carbohydrates. Also avoid foods with a high glycemic index, such as white rice, white bread, French fries, rice cakes, donuts, and crackers.
Monitor Your Calorie Intake
Regardless of the type of food, eating too much can put you at risk of weight gain and diabetes. Instead, control your portions and aim for 1,600 to 2,400 calories a day, the average calorie requirement for women.[6]
Stay Active
Instead of spending your free time lounging while scrolling through social media or watching TV, get moving and work up a sweat. You can do various exercises at home, such as squats, sit-ups, or planks. The key is to keep your body active.
You can help prevent diabetes with simple steps like those above, but doing so requires a long-term commitment. It may take some effort, but it's well worth it for a healthy body.
Remember, the longer you leave diabetes untreated, the greater the risk of organ damage. Therefore, visit your nearest healthcare facility as soon as possible if you experience any of the signs of diabetes in women listed above!
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