Diabetes in Women: Types, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Management
Diabetes in women is increasing owing to improper stress management and other lifestyle habits. Explore the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and preventive strategies to manage the condition effectively.
Written by
Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Diabetes results in high blood sugar levels. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body has become resistant to the insulin. Diabetes affects people of all age groups and is a chronic disease that is managed with medicines and lifestyle modification.
However, when compared with diabetic men, diabetic women have greater health risks. Diabetic women are more prone to heart disease and have lower survival rates after a heart attack. This article explores the types of diabetes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and management strategies specifically for women.
Types of Diabetes Affecting Women
Women are mainly affected with 3 types of diabetes depending on the cause:
Type 1 Diabetes: In this type, the pancreatic cells do not produce enough insulin for the body due to genetic and environmental causes. It is commonly seen in children and young adults.
Type 2 Diabetes: In type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to use insulin properly, which results in higher blood glucose levels. It is seen in people above 40.
Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes is only limited to women as it occurs during pregnancy. The condition is resolved after the delivery of the baby.
Risk Factors for Diabetes in Women
For diabetes, risk factors in women can be classified depending on the types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes: It results from an autoimmune reaction, and the cause is idiopathic. However, the known risk factors are:
Having family members with type 1 diabetes
Being young adults or children
Type 2 Diabetes: The risk factors for type 2 diabetes are listed below:
Being overweight or obese
Being above 45 years
Leading a sedentary lifestyle
Suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Having a hereditary history of type 2 diabetes
Having gestational diabetes
Bearing a baby weighing more than 4 kg
Gestational Diabetes: A woman may develop gestational diabetes if she:
Had gestational diabetes in the last pregnancy
Has given birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kg
Is overweight or obese
Is above 25 years
Has a hereditary history of type 2 diabetes
Suffers from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Even though gestational diabetes may resolve after the delivery of the baby, it puts the mother at risk for type 2 diabetes. The baby might also develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Symptoms and Diagnosis in Diabetic Women
Men and women generally experience the same symptoms. However, some of the symptoms of diabetes are exclusive to women, and they are:
Vaginal Dryness: It can occur in the later stage when the vaginal nerve fibres get affected due to diabetic neuropathy.
Candida Infections: High sugar levels in the blood promote the growth of fungus in the vaginal area or mouth.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Hyperglycemia triggers bacterial growth in the vaginal area, causing them to enter the urinary tract.
Some of the other common symptoms include:
Increased thirst
Fatigue
Frequent urination
Weight loss
Fruity breath
Diabetes is diagnosed by checking the blood glucose levels, which is done through 3 tests:
Random Blood Glucose Test: This is done at any time, and the patient does not need to fast for it.
HbA1c: Also known as glycated haemoglobin A1c, this test result shows the average blood glucose levels over the past few months.
Fasting Blood Glucose Test: The baseline blood sugar is tested, and the patient is advised to fast for at least 8 hours for this test.
Gestational diabetes is screened with the help of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). It is a bit more complex and may take up to 3 hours.
Complications Specific to Diabetic Women
Diabetic women face certain complications that are limited to the female gender, and they are:
Yeast Infections: Diabetic women develop vaginal thrush if the blood glucose level is not maintained properly.
Heart Disease: Women having diabetes are more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases than non-diabetic women.
Sexual Health Issues: Diabetic neuropathy affects the nerve, causing reduced blood flow along with hormonal changes. This leads to lowered interest in sex in women.
UTIs: If the patient has high blood sugar levels, she is more likely to develop UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections).
Depression: Diabetic women are more prone to depression than men.
If a diabetic woman gets pregnant, it can aggravate pre-existing diabetic retinopathy.
Management and Treatment Options for Diabetic Women
The symptoms in diabetic women are managed through the following medication:
Insulin Therapy: The physician may prescribe a mixture of certain insulin types depending on specific requirements that need to be injected through the subcutaneous route.
Metformin: It makes the body tissues more sensitive to insulin and is the drug of choice for type 2 diabetes.
SGLT2 (Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2) Inhibitors: These groups of medicines prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing filtered sugar into the bloodstream.
Get Personalised Diabetes Care
Importance of Regular Monitoring for Diabetic Women
Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is very important for diabetic women as it helps in:
Adjusting the treatment regimen
Preventing complications
Keeping track of the blood sugar levels
Educating individuals
For regular monitoring, one should get a ‘continuous glucose meter’ that measures blood sugar in a small amount of blood sample. Blood sugar should be checked at:
The morning before any meal
Before a meal and two hours after a meal
Night before sleeping
Lifestyle Modifications for Diabetic Women
Lifestyle modification is a key factor in maintaining normal blood glucose levels, and it can be achieved by following the tips mentioned below:
Eating Healthy: Eating a balanced diet consisting of whole and unprocessed foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, etc. helps in regulating blood sugar as they are high in fibre and low in glycemic index.
Exercise: Leading an active life, such as a moderate workout or daily 30 minutes of walking, helps the body to utilise the blood sugar effectively, leading to the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels.
Proper sleep and stress management should also be taken care of to manage the condition.
Psychological Impact and Support for Diabetic Women
Diabetes is a chronic, incurable illness which might have a significant psychological impact on women. A woman diagnosed with diabetes might suffer from depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and anger, which can affect their daily activities and treatment regimen.
This can be helped by making the patient connect with certain support groups that will foster a sense of belongingness and help her overcome her psychological problems.
Preventive Strategies for Diabetes in Women
Although type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2 diabetes can be prevented by following the tips mentioned below:
The diet should contain fibre-rich foods such as vegetables and fruits. Apart from this, portion sizes should be controlled.
Staying active throughout the day improves insulin sensitivity.
Quitting tobacco and managing stress properly can minimise the chances of developing diabetes. Also, having an adequate amount of sleep is vital.
Early detection and intervention also help to manage blood sugar levels in a better manner. Diabetic women should be given health education on the condition and the ways to manage it to prevent complications.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a chronic condition and is incurable. However, with proper personalised management, the blood sugar levels can be maintained, and the patient can live a prolonged life. Even though the condition affects all genders, women should exercise extra caution due to the increased risk of complications.
Consult Top Diabetologists
Consult Top Diabetologists
Dr. Lakshmi Sindhura Kakani
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
10 Years • MBBS, MD (General medicine)
Visakhapatnam
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam
Dr. Lakshmi Sanjitha Kakani
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
6 Years • MBBS, MD (General Medicine)
Visakhapatnam
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam
Dr. Liritha C
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
5 Years • MBBS, MD (GENERAL MEDICINE)
Hyderabad
Apollo 24|7 Clinic, Hyderabad
Dr. Usha Gaddam
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
9 Years • MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine)
Hyderabad
DR. USHA GADDAMS CLINIC, Hyderabad
Dr. Raveendran Sr
Diabetologist
14 Years • MBBS,MD,D.DIAB,FSM
Chennai
S R Clinic, Chennai
Get Personalised Diabetes Care
Dr. Lakshmi Sindhura Kakani
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
10 Years • MBBS, MD (General medicine)
Visakhapatnam
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam
Dr. Lakshmi Sanjitha Kakani
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
6 Years • MBBS, MD (General Medicine)
Visakhapatnam
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam
Dr. Liritha C
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
5 Years • MBBS, MD (GENERAL MEDICINE)
Hyderabad
Apollo 24|7 Clinic, Hyderabad
Dr. Usha Gaddam
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
9 Years • MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine)
Hyderabad
DR. USHA GADDAMS CLINIC, Hyderabad
Dr. Raveendran Sr
Diabetologist
14 Years • MBBS,MD,D.DIAB,FSM
Chennai
S R Clinic, Chennai
