However, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep problems, fatigue caused by lack of sleep, moodiness, short-term memory loss and generally not feeling great can be mistaken for low blood sugar. You don't want to correct them by consuming unnecessary extra calories (which could cause hyperglycemia and ultimately lead to weight gain), so it's important to determine whether fluctuating hormones or menopausal symptoms are at the root of your symptoms. Monitor your blood glucose levels closely and work with your doctor to develop a management plan.

What's more, the hormonal changes of menopause can affect a woman's sexual function, which may already be dampened in someone with diabetes. Lower levels of estrogen decrease the blood supply to the vagina, which in turn reduces vaginal lubrication and can make sex painful. In addition, falling hormone levels can contribute to decreased arousal. The majority of women can manage these symptoms without going on hormone replacement therapy, says Mario Skugor, MD, an endocrinologist with the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. However, "if you have severe symptoms that are interfering with your life, talk to your doctor to see if a hormone patch might be a good option for you," he advises.

As a woman gets older, and often around the time of menopause, she has a tendency to gain weight. "The closer you are to your ideal weight, the better you will be in terms of controlling your diabetes," says Dr. Petit. This applies whether you are in menopause or not, especially if you have type 2 diabetes. Moderate, healthy eating and increased physical activity can help you achieve a healthy weight.