Diabetes can affect anyone when their blood sugar levels reach their peak. It is a metabolic disease that can sneak up at any stage of life without showing obvious symptoms. In fact, most people don’t even notice they have diabetes for a long time.
Moreover, most symptoms don’t always show for both women and men. However, women are likely to suffer from a few unique symptoms which can get ignored. Testing for diabetes alongside a general woman’s health check has become more and more common over the last 10 years as private testing becomes more accessible and more affordable.
It is important you take health and keep an eye for the following symptoms. This is crucial for diagnosing your diabetes at an early stage and getting it treated, avoiding serious complications.
Oral and Vaginal Yeast Infections
When dealing with diabetes, women may experience yeast infections. This results from overgrowing yeast by a type of fungi, namely Candida fungus. It causes both vaginal and oral yeast infections along with vaginal thrush.
These infections are an indication of women suffering from diabetes. You can look out for vaginal infections by noticing these signs:
- Vaginal itching
- Soreness
- Vaginal discharge
- Pain while having sex
Moreover, oral yeast infections are diagnosed by a white coating on your tongue and in your mouth.
All of these symptoms are caused by high glucose levels in a woman’s bloodstream.
Urinary Infections
Women can suffer from a UTI or urinary tract infection due to diabetes. They are more susceptible to dealing with this symptom as their immune system becomes weak because of high blood sugar. It happens as a result of bacteria invading your urinary tract. You can identify this symptom by looking for these signs:
- Blood in urine
- Cloudy urine
- Pain while urinating
- Burning sensation
If these symptoms are left untreated, they may lead to more severe conditions such as kidney infection.
Lowered Libido
High sugar levels in women can lead to diabetic neuropathy in women due to damaged nerve fibres. They may lose sensation in their legs, feet, and hands. As a result, women may find it challenging to reach their orgasm due to poor sensation, ultimately decreasing their sexual drive.
PCOS
Are you suffering from irregular periods or unusual weight gain? Then, it’s time you get a well woman check, as these signs are common for women dealing with PCOS.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a disorder in which women secrete higher androgen levels. Moreover, this symptom is a warning alarm for the development of diabetes in women as it creates insulin resistance. As a result, you may experience high blood glucose.
Therefore, you should check if you have the following signs and consult your doctor as early as possible:
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Infertility
- Acne
- Sleeping issues
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
Other Early Signs of Diabetes in Women and Men
Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, you should also check for these early diabetes symptoms. These symptoms are common for both men and women:
- Frequent urination
- Always thirsty
- Increased appetite
- Constant exhaustion
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty in healing wounds
- Numb feet or hands
- Tingling sensation in parts of the body
- Dark skin patches
- Itchy skin
- Soreness
