Estrogen and Blood Sugar Levels

Estrogen helps optimize the action of insulin, the hormone that stabilizes blood sugar levels. Consequently, the age-related decline in estrogen may lead to insulin resistance, a condition in which the body doesn’t respond to the effects of insulin. Falling estrogen levels can also impair the function of insulin, resulting in sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. Studies show that by restoring estrogen to youthful levels, blood sugar levels can be normalized, thus, preventing chronic medical conditions such as diabetes:
1. In postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes, ERT is associated with statistically significant increase in insulin sensitivity (a condition in which small amount of insulin is needed to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range). [424]
2. In diabetic women, ERT significantly lowers hemoglobin A1c, a three-month average measure of blood sugar level. [425-430]
3. In diabetic women, ERT is associated with better glycemic control. [431]
4. In postmenopausal women, low-dose combined ERT is associated with decreased risk of developing diabetes and better diabetic control. [432]
5. In non-diabetic women, the prescription of ERT improves mortality by stabilizing blood sugar levels. [433]
6. Postmenopausal estrogen use is associated with lower fasting glucose. [434]
7. In postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes, ERT use is associated with better blood sugar control and improved insulin sensitivity. [435-440]