Diabetes Symptoms Men and Women Share (and Some They Don't)

How diabetes can affect more than blood sugar.

More than 34 million men and women in the U.S. have diabetes.¹ Diabetes affects how the body processes glucose, commonly called blood sugar. A person with diabetes has higher levels of blood sugar than normal. Without treatment, diabetes can lead to serious health problems.

Diabetes risk factors

There are a number of factors that can increase a man’s or woman’s chances of developing diabetes.² These include:

• Being 45 years old or older
• Being overweight
• Family history of diabetes
• Having prediabetes
• Not being physically active
• Having high blood pressure
• History of cardiovascular disease
• Giving birth to a baby 9 pounds or heavier
• Having gestational diabetes while pregnant
• Being African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Shared risks

Diabetes puts both men and women at risk for heart disease, stroke, vision loss, kidney failure, and leg, toe or foot amputation. However, women are at higher risk for heart disease, depression, vision loss and kidney disease.

Shared symptoms

Some diabetes symptoms that men and women share include:

• Needing to pee more often, especially at night
• Increased hunger or thirst
• Blurry vision
• Numb or tingling hands or feet
• Rapid weight loss
• Slow-healing sores

However, there are some differences in how men and women are affected by diabetes.

Men may experience:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED). Men with diabetes are three times more likely to have ED.³ ED can be an early warning sign that blood flow isn’t what it should be.
• Overactive bladder. Diabetes can make some men feel that they have to urinate more often. Men may also have trouble with leaking urine.
• Fertility problems. Some men may have problems with their sperm, resulting in reduced fertility.
• Problems with ejaculation. Diabetes can also cause some men to experience retrograde ejaculation. This is when the semen is released into the bladder.
• Low testosterone. Men with diabetes are more likely to have lower testosterone levels. This is especially true if they are older and overweight.

Women may notice:

• Yeast or bladder infections. While many women have a yeast or bladder infection at some point in their lives, their risk is higher if they have diabetes.
• Changes during their period. Women with diabetes may find their periods last longer or are heavier. Period-related food cravings may also make managing their blood sugar levels harder.
• A loss of interest in sex. Diabetes can affect a woman’s ability to enjoy sex. Blood sugar levels can affect a woman’s sex drive or ability to orgasm.
• Pregnancy issues. Diabetes has also been linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which can make it harder to get pregnant. Once a woman is pregnant, high blood sugar can increase the risk of miscarriage or needing a C-section. Early in pregnancy, high blood sugar also affects the baby. The baby could weigh more than normal, have breathing problems or be born too early.

Taking control

If you have diabetes, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to keep your blood sugar level within a normal range. Depending on your health, your doctor may recommend losing weight, quitting smoking and being more active. If you have any of the risk factors or symptoms listed above, please talk to your doctor to see if you should be tested.

By Shauna Block, Contributing Writer

Sources

¹American Diabetes Association. Statistics About Diabetes. Accessed April 28, 2020.
²American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020. Accessed April 28, 2020.
³National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes, Sexual, and Bladder Problems. Accessed April 28, 2020.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Men & Diabetes. Accessed April 28, 2020.

Last Updated April 30, 2020