Diabetes - Symptoms and Warning signs in Men and Women

Diabetes and its types.

Diabetes isn't just one disease. There are three types of diabetes commonly occurring both in male and female: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Apart from Type-1 and gestational diabetes, Type-2 Diabetes has affected more people in general. 

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body doesn't use insulin properly and unable to keep your blood sugar at a stable level. Moreover, Type 1 is less in people and it happens when your body stops producing insulin at all; also known to be an autoimmune disease. 

Gestational diabetes occurs often with pregnant women, when she gave birth to her child, it will go away automatically. But, sometimes it will follow her later as a type 2 diabetes. 

Difficulties in Finding Diabetes.

Unfortunately, many people could not recognize whether they have diabetes or not. When this diabetes is not diagnosed and treated at the right time, it will take you to serious health issues. Before theses diabetes changes your lifestyle, let's move on to the primary symptoms and warnings; that can help you keep your blood sugar level in control. 

Common Symptoms of Diabetes in Men and Women.

There are several diabetes symptoms and warning signs that both women and men have in common.

Symptoms that are same in Men and Women:

• Excessive thirst and hunger.
• Frequent urination.
• Weight loss or gain.
• Fatigue.
• Irritability.
• Blurred vision.
• Nausea.
• Skin infections.
• Darkening of skin in areas of body creases (acanthosis nigricans).
• Breath odor that is fruity, sweet, or similar to acetone.
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.

Symptoms of Diabetes Unique to Men and Women.

Mostly, diabetes has the same symptoms in men and women; in a few cases, some symptoms are unique to men and women.

Symptoms of Diabetes Unique to Females.

Symptoms unique to women include:

1. Vaginal and oral yeast infections; vaginal thrush
2. Urinary infections
3. Female sexual dysfunction

1. Vaginal and oral yeast infections; vaginal thrush

Vaginal yeast infection, oral yeast infection and vaginal thrush are caused due to overgrowth of Candida fungus. The growth of this yeast is due to high levels of glucose in the blood. It will also lead to excessive coursing of glucose in the urine (glycosuria).

These symptoms come to visual, if your diabetes is not under control. 

Symptoms of vaginal area infection are: 

• Itching.
• Soreness.
• Vaginal discharge.
• Painful sex.

2. Urinary infections

Women with diabetes have a high risk of urinary tract infection. 

The improper control of diabetes will lead to the excessive release of sugar in urine; which in turn promotes bacterial growth in the urinary tract. These bacteria enter the urinary tract causing infection (UTI). 

When this infection is not treated on time, it will create a high risk of serious kidney infection.

Symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI) are:

• Painful urination.
• Burning sensation.
• Bloody or cloudy urine.

3. Female sexual dysfunction

High blood glucose damages nerve fibers resulting in Diabetic neuropathy. This leads to tingling and loss of feeling in different parts of the body, including:

• Hands.
• Feet.
• Legs.

This condition may also affect sensation in the vaginal area and lower a woman’s sex drive; which in turn decreases sexual arousal with slow and/or inadequate lubrication, dryness of the vagina, painful sexual intercourse and experiencing problems with orgasm. 

4. Polycystic ovary syndrome.

Women with diabetes, especially if obese, are prone to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition in which the body produces a high amount of male hormones and suppress the ability to produce eggs.

PCOS is highly linked with an increased level of circulating insulin in the blood, especially with type 2 diabetes women. 

Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are:

• Irregular periods.
• Weight gain.
• Acne.
• Depression.
• Infertility.

Symptoms of Diabetes Unique to Males.

Symptoms unique to men include:

1. Erectile dysfunction 
2. Retrograde ejaculation
3. Low testosterone 

1. Erectile dysfunction (ED, impotence).

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection during sexual intercourse, also referred to as impotence. Men with diabetes are at risk for ED and this is the most common symptom of diabetic men, especially those with type 2 diabetes. 

Recent studies show, over 50 percent of men with diabetes has erectile dysfunction. A long-term poor blood sugar control causes damages in the blood vessels and nerves of the men, which in turn causes difficulties in the erection.  

Symptoms of Erectile dysfunction (ED) are: 

• high blood pressure
• kidney disease
• circulatory or nervous system conditions
• stress
• smoking
• Prolonged medication.

2. Retrograde ejaculation

A bad blood sugar control can cause retrograde ejaculation in men; a condition in which the semen goes into the bladder, rather than coming out of the body through the urethra. Also, the muscles fail to contract and stay relaxed, thus the ejaculate ends up in your bladder.

It happens when diabetes damages the blood vessels and nerves that control the bladder and urethra, also known to be neuropathy of the blader. 

Symptoms of Retrograde ejaculation are: 

• Orgasms in which you ejaculate very little or no semen out of your penis (dry orgasms)
• Urine that is cloudy after orgasm, because it contains semen.
• Inability to get a woman pregnant (male infertility)

3. Low testosterone (low-T)

Low testosterone can cause decreased sex drive - depression, lack of energy, and reduced muscle mass. It can also cause male-specific sexual problems and urological problems.

Testosterone is highly linked with diabetes. It plays a vital role in bringing blood sugar to all the body tissues in response to insulin. By simply saying, men with low testosterone are more likely to have diabetes in the future, as well as men with diabetes, are more likely to have low testosterone. 

Symptoms of Low testosterone (low-T)are: 

• Low sex drive. 
• Difficulty with erection. 
• Low semen volume. 
• Hair loss. 
• Fatigue. 

Are you still unserious about these Diabetes symptoms?

Symptoms of diabetes are more common in men and women, but some symptoms are unique for both. So, it's better to head on to your doctor, if you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms. 

If you take it unserious and diabetes is not treated at this level, it will end up with various health complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, and finally to death. 

Do you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms? Book your diabetics specialist now and check your blood sugar level to get rid of this deadly disease. 

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