DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH: How to Beat the Double-Whammy of Diabetes & Menopause According to Laurie Birkholz, M.D. with Lakeshore Health Partners

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dealing with the vexing symptoms of menopause and struggling to keep
diabetes in check can be doubly stressful for women ages
55-64. As diabetes increases, so does the risk of heart disease,
stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and nerve disease.

Laurie Birkholz, M.D. with Lakeshore
Health Partners says, “Symptoms of menopause can be overwhelming and
can pose challenges when trying to keep diabetes under control. In
addition to maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and
daily exercising diabetic women in menopause can ease symptoms with the
following tips.”

• DIET & EXERCISE Diet, exercise and weight control are
  crucial for menopausal women with diabetes. The
  Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet book highlights menus
  for weight loss and control of blood sugar. By increasing fruits,
  nuts, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans, peas and lentils),
  low-fat dairy products and heart healthy fish into your diet, you’ll
  minimize risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure and high
  blood fats. And, follow a daily exercise regime like: yoga, walking,
  swimming, weight training and resistance bands.
• BLOOD FLOW AND MOJO: Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to
  diminished blood flow “down there.” This can result in a decrease in
  moisture and lubrication. For a hormone-free option to improve
  moisture, Deborah Grady, M.D., M.P.H. confirmed Replens as effective
  as vaginal estrogen for menopausal women as stated in the Management
  of Menopausal Symptoms. And to ease painful sex, try a
  long-lasting silicone lubricant like Replens
  Silky Smooth or Wet
  Platinum.
• BONE HEALTH: Menopause and estrogen depletion are linked to
  osteoporosis. Consider talking with your health care provider about
  your individual risks and possible need for bone density testing. A
  healthy diet, weight-bearing exercises, dietary and supplemental
  calcium and vitamin D will help keep bones strong and healthy. Avoid
  smoking, take precautions against falls and seek medical help if bone
  loss is detected on routine screening.
• PAY ATTENTION TO THE URINARY TRACT: The depletion of estrogen
  in menopause and poorly controlled diabetes can lead to urinary tract
  infections (UTI). A decrease in estrogen results in an increase in
  vaginal pH which can predispose to UTI’s. RepHresh
  Gel keeps the pH balanced to its optimum 4.3 and unwanted or
  pathogenic bacteria from overpopulating.

• KEEP YEAST UNDER CONTROL: Yeast cells are nourished and
  multiply due to vaginal secretions containing elevated amounts of
  glucose, or sugar, in the blood. The vaginal strains of probiotic
  lactobacillus (flora), L. rhamnosus GR-1™ and L. reuteri
  RC-14™ in RepHresh
  Pro-B, will can help diabetic women maintain a healthy balance of
  lactobacillus, yeast, and other bacteria.

“Menopausal women with diabetes can take control of their health and
well-being by making simple modifications now,” concludes Dr. Birkholz.

Contacts

For Lakeshore Health Partners
Lauren Wright, 646-964-4446
lauren@gcomworks.com