Women with Type 1 Face Unique Challenges

photo: Ginger vieira

By Ginger Vieira 

Living with Type 1 Diabetes isn’t easy for anyone — but it is arguably more challenging for girls and women. In fact, the research says so, too. 

As someone with Type 1 Diabetes, I’ve experienced how hormonal changes—from puberty to the menstrual cycle and even pregnancy—present constant challenges in diabetes management. So, let’s talk about the ups and downs of managing diabetes as a woman. 

Hormones and Diabetes Management 

Puberty. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes during puberty. The combination of being newly diagnosed on top of rising estrogen levels led to significant insulin resistance and thus, tremendous weight gain. But nobody talked about it. There was a lot of emotional stigma around gaining weight, especially as a teenager. 

Over 20 years later, I now know this experience is very common. Today, many teenagers, particularly adolescent girls, are being prescribed low doses of GLP-1 medications to counter the dramatic impact of menstruation on top of Type 1 Diabetes. 

Menstrual Cycle. Women and adolescent girls go through a monthly rollercoaster of insulin sensitivity versus insulin resistance. For example, I know my blood sugar spikes 100 points during the hour my period is about to start. I cannot predict exactly when this will be! And the impact is different for every woman — we are left to figure this out on our own. 

Pregnancy. In my teens and early 20s, I truly believed that women with Type 1 Diabetes should not have children of their own. My fear and ignorance led me to believe it wasn’t safe for the woman or baby. 

By my late 20s, already married to a man who was under the impression I wasn’t willing to bear his children, I realized I didn’t have to be afraid. Thanks entirely to reading stories from other women in the early years of the internet and blogging, I realized if they could do it, I could do it, too. 

Every week and month of pregnancy is different when it comes to Type 1 Diabetes. It is one of the most challenging experiences a woman with diabetes will face. 

Of course, holding my newborn baby in my arms certainly makes it all worth it. 

Thriving with Diabetes. If you’re a woman with Type 1 Diabetes, I encourage you to visit my website DiabetesNerd.com for resources, articles, and tools that can help manage your diabetes journey.

Join the Conversation: Bridging the Gap Talk 

I also invite you to sign up for the upcoming and much-appreciated life science webinar "Bridging the Gap" on March 27th at 11:10 AM EDT where I'll dive into the specific issues that women with Type 1 Diabetes face, from hormonal changes to pregnancy, and everything in between. 

🔗Register for Bridging the Gap: 

Bridging the Gap-register here

This event is a joint initiative by the four Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce in San Diego, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, New England, and Minnesota, covering four of the biggest life science clusters in the U.S. 🌎

Together, we can break down the emotional stigma, share experiences, and empower each other to live fully with diabetes. You’re not alone in this journey. Let’s keep talking, learning, and supporting each other.

Article by Ginger Vieira