After a diagnosis, the most important goal is generally to stabilize glucose (blood sugar) levels. A woman's physician will recommend a target glucose range. The patient will strive to keep her glucose level within her physician-recommended range with a plan that typically includes diet and exercise and that may include medications.

Type 1 diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood (LADA) require insulin therapy and frequent glucose monitoring. Insulin is also used to treat some other cases of diabetes, such as many women who have gestational diabetes.

Usually the first line of treatment for type 2 diabetes is meal planning and physical activity for glucose control and weight loss. Losing weight and increasing activity levels can help lower reduce insulin resistance. Exercise also reduces glucose levels by taking glucose from the blood and using it for energy. Healthy eating helps glucose levels stay lower. If these steps are not enough to bring glucose levels down near the normal range, the physician may recommend antidiabetic agents or insulin or both.

Women (and men) with diabetes often also have high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels as well. These conditions may also be treated with a combination of diet, exercise and medication.