Last Updated:
Diabetes symptoms in women can be mistaken for hormonal changes, stress, or even poor sleep. These can lead to a delayed diagnosis.
Persistent fatigue and blurry vision are overlooked signs of diabetes.
Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how your body controls blood sugar or glucose. It happens when your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it properly, which causes a rise in blood sugar levels. There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2; the latter is more common and could be due to lifestyle choices. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, nerve damage, vision loss and kidney issues.
For women, diabetes symptoms can be mild or mistaken for regular problems like stress, hormonal changes, poor sleep or ageing. Unfortunately, these overlooked signs can lead to a delayed diagnosis, and the longer high blood sugar goes untreated, the more damage it can quietly cause.
Women’s bodies go through many hormonal changes, like during periods, pregnancy and menopause. These changes can affect how insulin works in the body. Because of this, diabetes can hit women harder in certain areas. For example, women with diabetes are at higher risk of developing heart disease compared to those without diabetes. That’s why women need to pay extra attention to their health. So, how do you know if your blood sugar may be out of balance?
Here are 10 less obvious warning signs of diabetes in women that deserve attention.
Persistent Fatigue – If you feel tired all the time, even after a full night’s sleep, it could mean your body is not using sugar properly for energy. This leaves you feeling drained and weak.
Frequent Yeast or Urinary Tract Infections – Recurring vaginal infections or UTIs could signal something deeper. High sugar levels help bacteria and yeast grow faster.
Blurry Vision – If your vision suddenly gets blurry, it may not be because of too much screen time. High sugar can make the lenses in your eyes swell, leading to blurred vision, sometimes one of the earliest symptoms of diabetes.
Unintended Weight Loss – Losing weight without changing your diet or exercise habits might sound like a bonus, but it could be a red flag. If your body can’t use glucose for energy, it may start breaking down fat and muscle instead.
Excessive Thirst and Frequent Urination – Another common sign that many people miss. When blood sugar levels are high, the body pulls water from its tissues. This makes you feel very thirsty. As a result, you drink more water and end up urinating more often.
Slow Healing of Cuts and Wounds – If small cuts or skin infections are taking much longer to heal than usual, it could be because diabetes is slowing down your blood flow and weakening your body’s ability to fight infections.
Dark, Velvety Skin Patches – Patches of darker, thicker skin, especially around the neck, armpits, or groin, are known as acanthosis nigricans. This often indicates insulin resistance, a common precursor to Type 2 diabetes.
Mood Changes and Mental Fuzziness – Mood swings, irritability, and mental fog can all be influenced by unstable blood sugar levels. Sudden highs and lows can affect your focus, memory and emotional balance.
Tingling or Numbness in Extremities – A tingling or numb sensation in your hands or feet might seem minor but could signal early nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy, a common complication of long term diabetes.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – PCOS doesn’t directly cause diabetes, but it is closely linked to insulin problems. If you experience symptoms like irregular periods, weight gain, or acne, it’s important to get your blood sugar checked.
What You Can Do Now
Start by monitoring your body closely. Track any unusual symptoms and talk to your doctor about getting screened with blood tests like fasting glucose, A1C, or an oral glucose tolerance test, especially if you have a family history of diabetes.
Small Lifestyle Changes Can Also Make A Big Difference
- Try to move every day, whether it’s a walk, a bit of yoga, or even dancing around the house.
- Eat more fibre by adding foods like leafy greens, oats, chia seeds and beans to your meals.
- Cut sugary drinks, even smoothies from stores, can raise your blood sugar.
- Focus on getting good sleep and finding ways to relax because both can affect your hormones and blood sugar levels.
Paying attention early and making small healthy habits can make a big difference. Don’t ignore the signs your body is sending you; diabetes can be quiet, but you can stay one step ahead.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
- First Published:
