Diabetes Type 2: A Comparison Between Male and Female Prevalence
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Women with type 2 diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing complications compared to men, according to a recent study from the University of Leicester. The research, published in the journal Diabetes Care, reveals that women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop hidden heart damage, particularly coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD)[1][2][4].
The study found that 46% of women with type 2 diabetes showed signs of CMD, an early, silent form of heart damage that affects the heart's smallest vessels, compared to only 26% of men. Women in the study were asymptomatic, with no diagnosed heart issues or chest pain, yet scans revealed significant damage[1][2].
Several factors contribute to these sex-specific differences. In women, CMD is most strongly linked to higher body mass index (BMI), whereas in men, higher blood pressure is a more significant factor influencing heart damage risk[1]. This indicates that the underlying pathophysiology and risk profiles differ between sexes.
The heart damage in women tends to be more "silent" or undetected by conventional checks, making early identification more difficult. The study also found that women with type 2 diabetes often experience higher levels of diabetes distress and challenges in diabetes self-management, including a higher likelihood of disordered eating behaviors like diabulimia, which can increase complication risks[3].
Additionally, women tend to face more difficulties communicating effectively with healthcare providers about their diabetes management and emotional wellbeing, impacting outcomes. These findings suggest the necessity for sex-specific assessment and treatment strategies in diabetes care, given women’s unique cardiovascular risks and other diabetes-related challenges[1].
Despite these risks, women with obesity are more likely to be metabolically healthy than men, which may explain why some women with the same body mass index (BMI) do not develop type 2 diabetes[5]. Over half of women with type 2 diabetes report some form of sexual dysfunction, including vaginal dryness, reduced sex drive, difficulty with sexual arousal, and low sexual satisfaction[6].
High blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of urinary tract infections and yeast infections in women. The goal of type 2 diabetes treatment is to maintain safe blood sugar levels to minimize the risk of complications[7].
It is crucial for people with diabetes to work closely with their healthcare team to ensure that they successfully manage diabetes and any complications that may arise. High blood sugar in type 2 diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves, affecting sexual health in both men and women[8].
Men are almost twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as women[9]. However, men with diabetes are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction due to damage to the blood flow and nerve activity in the penis[10]. Women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience depression than men. Depression can increase the likelihood of type 2 diabetes-related hospitalizations[11].
Differences in sex hormones, particularly estrogen, may play a role in the increased rate of complications in women with type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar in uncontrolled diabetes impairs the body's response to estrogen, reducing the protective effects of female sex hormones and potentially contributing to diabetes complications in women[12].
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, affecting an estimated 34 million people in the United States[13]. Certain behaviors, such as sugar intake, dietary patterns, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits, may also contribute to differences in the prevalence of diabetes[14].
In conclusion, the higher risk of complications for women with type 2 diabetes arises from a combination of biological differences leading to more prevalent and silent heart microvascular damage, additional diabetes-related psychosocial burdens, and inadequacies in traditional risk assessment methods that may overlook these sex-specific factors[1][2][3][4].
[1] https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/44/9/1886 [2] https://www.le.ac.uk/news/women-with-diabetes-face-higher-risk-of-heart-damage-study-finds [3] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1758835919886837 [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31263531 [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6925406/ [6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6289507/ [7] https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/treatment-types/insulin/insulin-therapy-goals [8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5247374/ [9] https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prevention.html [10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3898837/ [11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5754207/ [12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6383641/ [13] https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html [14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5913128/
- Women with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing chronic health conditions like chronic kidney disease or diabetic nephropathy, which can lead to kidney damage.
- Poor mental health, such as depression, is a chronic disease that affects women with type 2 diabetes more than men, increasing the likelihood of type 2 diabetes-related hospitalizations.
- High blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes can cause sexual health issues in both men and women, such as erectile dysfunction in men and decreased sexual function in women.
- The study reveals that women with type 2 diabetes should pay attention to their respiratory conditions since they are at a higher risk of experiencing hidden heart damage, particularly CMD.
- Fitness and exercise play a crucial role in managing type 2 diabetes and its associated complications, including cardiovascular health, sexual health, and mental health.
- A sexual health concern found in over half of women with type 2 diabetes is some form of sexual dysfunction, including vaginal dryness, reduced sex drive, and difficulty with arousal.
- People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of experiencing urinary tract infections and yeast infections due to high blood sugar levels, which need to be managed through proper medical care and lifestyle modifications.
- Effectively managing type 2 diabetes requires collaboration between individuals and their healthcare team, addressing both chronic diseases and diabetes-related conditions such as sexual health and mental health.
- Men with type 2 diabetes who neglect their health and wellness, such as by consuming too much sugar, smoking, or lack of exercise, are more likely to develop chronic diseases related to their diabetes.
- Parenting becomes more challenging for individuals with type 2 diabetes due to the condition's impact on mental, cardiovascular, and sexual health, necessitating proper care for the well-being of both the parent and their children.
