Insulin Resistance in Menopause: Why It Worsens and How HRT Can Help
When people think about insulin resistance, most have the assumption that insulin resistance is only about food or body fat. While true, this is not the whole story.
Even if your diet and weight don’t change, your body can naturally become more insulin resistant, especially during menopause. This is why you may notice new sugar cravings or an increase in belly fat.
To understand why this happens, let’s start from the top.
What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance is when your body stops responding to insulin the way it should. Insulin’s main job is to help move sugar from your blood and into your body for energy.
When your cells don’t respond properly to the insulin, sugar begins to build up in your blood leading to high blood sugar levels. If not treated, overtime this can lead to prediabetes, and even type 2 diabetes.
The important thing to know is that insulin resistance can affect anyone, but luckily, there are ways to reverse it.
Insulin Resistance and Estrogen
Estrogen is one of the primary sex hormones in women and plays a huge role in metabolic health. Beyond regulating the menstrual cycle, estrogen helps support things like cholesterol, bone health, and even your mood.
As estrogen levels begin to fall, especially during menopause, you may start to experience symptoms like:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Irregular periods
- Fatigue
But behind the scenes, estrogen is playing another role.
Estrogen is also responsible for helping your body stay sensitive to insulin. So, as estrogen levels drop, the risk of insulin resistance goes up.
On top of that, menopause symptoms like poor sleep and stress can make things worse. Both of these symptoms can raise blood sugar levels and worsen insulin resistance.
Signs of Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance isn’t always obvious, but some common signs include:
- Fatigue
- Yeast infections
- Darkened skin in the armpits, back, or sides of the neck
- Increased hunger and thirst
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider.
How HRT can Improve Insulin Resistance
For many women, hormone replacement therapy is an option that can greatly improve insulin resistance.
Studies have shown that HRT can reduce insulin resistance whilst also lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.
By replenishing your body with estrogen through HRT, it may help how your body responds to insulin and support healthier blood sugar levels overall.
Care that Listens
At HerKare, we focus on helping women get their hormones back in balance with personalized HRT plans.
Feeling like yourself again is possible, and it starts with the right support.
Book an appointment today to learn more about insulin resistance and if hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
Insulin Resistance: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
The link between menopause and diabetes | Ohio State Health & Discovery
The Role of Estrogen in Insulin Resistance – The American Journal of Pathology
Optimizing hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes: a review