Question about insulin and menstrual cycle

DISCODIABETIC · #1 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 01:41 PM

Hi all,

I recently started on insulin and have found that i have gone from being the most irregular cycle to having the flood never stop

Is this NORMAL? or should I ask for a referral to a ob/gyn? and if it is normal why don't the endo's and diabetic nurses tell you so you can prepare yourself for it.

thanks.

xMenace · #2 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 01:42 PM

I don't have a clue

But welcome!

princesslinda · #3 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 01:49 PM

Welcome DD! Are you T1 or T2 diabetic? I'm T2, and when diagnosed, I had been having very irregular periods (2-3/year for several years ). I was started on metformin and got my blood sugars normalized, and starting having regular monthly cycles.

I think the insulin resistance can sometimes wreck havoc with our menstrual cycles.

Also, if you haven't been having regular periods, when you do start having them every month, you will notice an increase in volume for the first few months, due in part to NOT having had one for awhile.

If this problem continues, i'd check with my GYN, as there are many options for minimizing menstrual symptoms, and you'll want to rule out any potential gynecological problems that may have nothing to do with diabetes.

DISCODIABETIC · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 01:53 PM

Thanks

type 2. pretty much i get the "visit" every 2 months, and its always light. but since i started the insulin, the tap won't shut off, and as for volume, I think Noah probably had less flooding to deal with.

So it sound like it is something that is normal and i should just have a check up to be on the safe side.

princesslinda · #5 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 01:58 PM

I think it would certainly ease your mind if you had a good gynecologic exam and can find out what options are available to minimize the discomfort you're experiencing. We "irregular" girls get spoiled, but it sounds like you are having a rough time. I'd be interested to hear what your doc has to say.

DISCODIABETIC · #6 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 02:31 PM

LOL, yup spoiled is right, but still longing for the day i hear that special word "menopause" come out of my medical team's mouth.

I was diagnosed just over two years ago, but my endo figures that I had gone undiagnosed for several years, He put me on Met, Amyrl and Avandia but it never controlled my sugars, so he pushed insulin and i said no to it for the longest time. now after a month on the stick, my average on my meter is 7.5 but i find i'm getting lots of different symptoms, like deep muscle aches in my legs and back and my hands and feet go "to sleep" way more than normal.

HollyB · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 03:47 PM

If you're creeping up to menopause, you might also be enjoying the delights of the perimenopause. For me, it's like it goes nova before winking out. Talk to your doc -- they can give you meds to make it more reasonable.

morrisma · #8 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 06:23 PM

Not much to contribute on this as my gender might suggest, but I had a female type 2 friend years ago who swore her insulin needs varied dramatically relative to her cycle. Her endo swore she was nuts but I've heard since then that others share her experience. We never discussed flows thank goodness.

Welcome & good luck,
Mike

Emm · #9 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Her endo swore she was nuts but I've heard since then that others share her experience.

Really?! It's a well known thing. Any hormone changes in a body are likely to affect other hormones... Periods play with hormones, and insulin itself is a hormone. There's trouble!

Maybe some people don't notice it - I myself took a LONG time to click to the pattern! (highs for a week or more prior, and then lows hit with a wham as soon as the period starts).

DD: welcome to DF

I didn't have what you're going through because I had menopause kick in a few years before I became a T1 diabetic. Menopause certainly does play with you for a while... but it takes a while to be sure it's peri menopause so just watch things and take note.

If you have ANY doubt about it, talk to your doctor - I'd hate for you to think it's nothing and then find out you could have prevented trouble if you'd seen the doctor earlier...

morrisma · #10 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emm

Really?! It's a well known thing. Any hormone changes in a body are likely to affect other hormones... Periods play with hormones, and insulin itself is a hormone. There's trouble!

Maybe some people don't notice it - I myself took a LONG time to click to the pattern! (highs for a week or more prior, and then lows hit with a wham as soon as the period starts).

Emm,
This was 20 years ago and she had to fight to get anyone to listen. As I recall, her endo was a top guy in the Wilmington area. I guess the gender mattered in this case.
Mike