Influence of menopause on diabetes and diabetes risk

Abstract

Many postmenopausal women live with diabetes mellitus; however, little information is available about how the changes that occur around the time of menopause might uniquely affect management of diabetes mellitus in this population. Although the weight gain that commonly occurs during the menopausal transition is largely attributable to aging rather than the transition itself, changes in body composition have been independently associated with menopausal status. These changes in body composition have, in turn, been associated with alterations in insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in postmenopausal women. Hormone therapy seems to have neutral or beneficial effects on the adverse changes in body composition associated with menopause. Whether menopausal status independently influences diabetes risk remains controversial. Nevertheless, consistent findings from large clinical trials suggest that postmenopausal hormone therapy decreases the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Similarly, many studies suggest that postmenopausal hormone therapy has neutral or beneficial effects on glycemic control among women already diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus. Future studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie these relationships and to determine how these observations should influence recommendations for the care of postmenopausal women with diabetes mellitus.

Deficiency of IRTKS as an adaptor of insulin receptor leads to insulin resistance

“…Premenopausal women have a lower prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus as compared to age-matched men, while the prevalence of T2DM in postmenopausal women was significantly increased than premenopausal women. Estrogen participates in the modulation of insulin sensitivity, energy balance, and body composition [23,24]. The lack of a robust phenotype in female mice in this study may also be related to the differences of sexual hormones between them.…”

Menopause and Diabetes? No Sweat!

“…The reproductive change, as well as the symptoms and concerns that come with menopause, can be challenging for any woman, but there are certain aspects of menopause unique to women with diabetes. Women with diabetes should be aware of these issues before beginning the menopause transition years [6]. While T1D and T2D women experience many common concerns, their concerns are discussed separately in this article.…”

“…Changes in the body's hormone levels, fat storage, and insulin breakdown are commonly associated with menopause [6]. The body is less sensitive to insulin and alters blood glucose levels.…”

“…These changes can translate into a reduction in overall HbA1c, LDL cholesterol, small blood vessel injury, incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), and overall diabetes complications (DC) [13]. If your glucose control becomes increasingly complicated and refractory to other forms of medical management, HRT may be beneficial [6] (Figure 1). …”

Novel hormone-regulated genes in visceral adipose tissue: cloning and identification of proinflammatory cytokine-like mouse and human MEDA-7: implications for obesity, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome

“…These women have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes [3][4][5]. Oestrogen replacement therapy decreases abdominal fat [6] and increases bone density [7] in postmenopausal women.…”