Women's Health stuff, and then some ….. by Sheena

When I was first diagnosed I had so many questions: what can I eat? Can I still have sex? How do I tell my friends? Is my life going to be totally different?

I don't have a lot of experience as a diabetic; I am 18 and have had Diabetes 1 year. When I found out I had Diabetes my biggest supporters were my boyfriend and my two best friends. They never treated me any different (but knew all my extra needs) and didn't care if I injected or tested in front of them. My family was suddenly a pack of worriers. If I didn't have my friends to go out with and feel 'normal' with I think I would have gone nuts. They kept an eye on me at parties and concerts especially if I had a couple of drinks.

I learnt the hard way that even though Diabetes is hard to live with sometimes and it's not my fault I got it, I had to face up to how it affected the people around and my relationships especially with my boyfriend. With all the mood swings from high and low BSLs and PMS he found it really hard to ask me which it was. I had to learn to recognise my moods and let him know if I needed some space. In reality us girls can be moody bitches sometimes and can have a hard time admitting it.

Of course many issues pop up over time and being a woman there seem to be a few extra ones. I found that it is really good to have at least one female in the diabetes team: this can include endo, dietician, educator and GP. Sometimes it is easier to talk to women about weight, periods, sex etc. and they can understand where you're coming from emotionally. It is also a good idea to shop around; if you are not happy with a doctor, find a better one. Having Diabetes and how you deal with it is a personal thing and you have to be comfortable with who you're talking to and that they give you the right advice for YOU. There are some docs out there who aren't very good listeners and don't realise what a big impact Diabetes has on life.

There was one question I was too embarrassed to ask anyone. Could I still have sex? I'd read all the booklets and all they seemed to say was that long term complications of Diabetes can be impotence and infections. My questions were more like; can I still take the pill? Will sex make me have a hypo and will I feel it? Should I test my sugars before or after? In the end I just did it and realised I'd been worrying for nothing and my sex life was not affected at all by my Diabetes.

So I guess I have learnt that being a woman with Diabetes can be a real pain in the ass sometimes but so can just being a woman in general. Diabetics just have some extra issues and learning curves to go through, but with the right attitude, support and mags like this we know we are not alone and can do anything.

FACT ROUND UP : There is surprisingly little known about the fluctuating blood glucose levels which many women with Type 1 Diabetes experience through their menstrual cycles. It is believed that the progesterone concentration in the blood decreasing is what causes blood sugars to drop at the very end of a menstrual cycle. Some women also experience BSL rises towards the end of their cycle and this is not as well understood. It certainly all needs some more investigation!
Stay tuned.

(Thanks to Jenny Conn, Endocrinologist at Royal Melbourne & Royal Women's Hospitals for this info.)

"One of my concerns is how real are the dangers with pregnancy given that I'm not a machine and more than likely will do something that will cause high blood sugars at one stage or more during the nine months?"

"I feel that we are Not Understood. That people try to treat us either as invalids or as completely normal humans. Maybe we ask too much that people look at us as somewhere in between, but that's what I would like to see. That we are incredible people, with every chance of giving to the world, every chance of being wonderfully successful and fabulously powerful, but that we HAVE to fit in caring for the condition as well."

"We really need to discard the following myths:
a. Can't have babies/better have them before 30.
b. Babies will be really big.(mine were 6lb7 1/2oz and 7lb 6oz)
c. Sex should be limited, will be painful and will stuff up your glucose levels.
d. Can't eat sugar, sweets etc etc
Subject to a reasonably balanced, healthy lifestyle, babies, sex and sweets can be enjoyed. The effects of abstaining could cause more stress and discomfort than the occasional 'sin'!"

"My periods play havoc with my BSLs, the week before my cycle starts they are high and then they drop as soon as the cycle starts."

"Successful pregnancy was a real challenge the second time (3 miscarriages) but I can't attribute that to D. I feel I have been truly blessed to have two beautiful healthy children."

Do you find weight harder to manage with diabetes?
"Did when I was between 18-20 but after that no problem at all - am slightly overweight and do very little exercise but find once you make up your own diet (which suits you and doesn't always stick to the rules the dieticians have cause I never met a Dietician who is a diabetic) everything seems to be fine and weight gain is only cause of a person's eating habits."

"The only issues I get really concerned about as a diabetic are not necessarily gender specific. eg the cost of consumables, general ignorance about diabetes in the medical profession etc."

Does your menstrual cycle get affected by your diabetes?
"Only in that when I get PMT someone usually asks if I am having a hypo!"