Research from South Korea reveals women with type 2 diabetes experience more intense and numerous menopausal symptoms, highlighting the need for integrated health assessments during midlife.
Women with type 2 diabetes may face a heavier menopausal burden than those without the condition, according to a study published in the journal Menopause. Researchers in South Korea examined 296 women aged 40 to 64 and found that those with type 2 diabetes reported more menopausal symptoms and more severe symptoms overall than women with normal blood glucose.
The study, led by You Lee Yang of Eulji University, looked at women across the menopausal spectrum, including premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal participants. Overall, the diabetes group was older and had a higher average body mass index than the women without diabetes. A larger share were also postmenopausal, which may help explain some of the differences, although the association between type 2 diabetes and symptom severity remained after statistical adjustment.
Researchers used the Midlife Women’s Symptom Index to assess symptoms. They found the clearest gaps in physical symptoms, rather than psychological ones, with the biggest differences appearing among postmenopausal women. In that group, both the number of symptoms and their severity were significantly higher for those with type 2 diabetes.
The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that menopause and glucose metabolism are closely linked. Healthline, summarising the research, said declining oestrogen levels may contribute to greater insulin resistance, which can make blood sugar control more difficult. Other summaries of the study, including coverage by the North American Menopause Society and Drugs.com, similarly highlighted the need for menopause symptom assessment to become part of routine diabetes care.
That conclusion was also central to the authors’ paper, which said women with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes experience a greater symptom burden and that this should be considered a meaningful clinical feature in midlife women with impaired glucose metabolism. The study was funded by Eulji University, and the authors reported no disclosures.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
