Hormones + Blood Sugar: What Every Woman Should Know
Okay, so here’s the thing no one really tells us clearly enough:
Our hormones have a huge impact on how our body handles sugar.
It’s not just about what you eat or how much you move — it’s also what’s happening in your cycle, your stress levels, and where you are in life.
Let me break it down:
1. Estrogen is like a secret helper.
When estrogen’s flowing (especially pre-menopause), it helps your body respond better to insulin — which means better blood sugar control.
But when estrogen starts to drop (like during perimenopause and menopause), that sensitivity starts to fade too.
Studies have even shown hormone therapy can improve this.
But the point is: that shift is real.
2. Menopause changes your metabolism.
As estrogen declines, insulin resistance tends to increase.
Your body doesn’t process sugar as well, and your risk for type 2 diabetes starts to climb — even if you haven’t changed anything else.
3. PCOS makes it even more complex.
Around 80% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance — and this isn’t just about weight.
Even lean women with PCOS often struggle with how their body uses glucose.
The risk of developing diabetes is way higher here — up to 10x more.
4. Stress matters. A lot.
Cortisol, your stress hormone, raises your blood sugar.
And women with PCOS often already have stress hormone imbalances — so it’s a bit of a double whammy.
Stress also messes with sleep, which brings me to…
5. Poor sleep = poor blood sugar control.
Hormonal shifts (especially in perimenopause and PCOS) often mean disrupted sleep.
And the less rest you get, the harder it is for your body to manage glucose. It’s all connected.
So what can you do?
This isn’t about fixing everything overnight.
But knowing what’s happening in your body gives you power.
Support your hormones.
Focus on sleep quality.
Find stress tools that work for you.
Move your body in a way that feels kind.
Eat in a way that feels nourishing.
And most importantly — give yourself grace.
