Diabetes and Women's Health: What You Need to Know
How diabetes can affect vaginal health, sexual wellbeing, fertility, pregnancy and menopause
Diabetes and Women's Health - Key Facts
Pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes
With gestational diabetes develop type 2 later
Risk of thrush & UTIs when glucose is high
Key areas of women's health affected
How Diabetes Affects Women's Health
Diabetes can affect women's health in several important ways. When blood glucose levels are above target, this can increase the risk of vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, sexual discomfort, bladder symptoms, pregnancy complications and changes around menopause.
Diabetes affects the way the body manages glucose, also called blood sugar. Persistently high glucose levels can affect blood vessels, nerves, immune function and hormones. This is why diabetes can affect the vulva, vagina, bladder, sexual function, fertility, pregnancy and menopause. Diabetes Australia notes that high glucose levels can increase the risk of vaginal and urinary tract infections, and that menopause-related hormonal changes can affect glucose management1.
The Good News:
Many of these risks can be reduced with good glucose management, regular medical care and early treatment of symptoms. Women with diabetes should have coordinated care from their GP, diabetes team, gynaecologist and, when pregnant or planning pregnancy, an obstetrician.
Vaginal Thrush and Urinary Tract Infections
1. Vaginal Thrush and Vulval Irritation
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience vaginal thrush, also called a yeast infection, particularly when blood glucose levels are high. Yeast can grow more easily when glucose levels are elevated2. Symptoms can include:
- • Vulval itching
- • Burning or stinging
- • Redness or irritation
- • Thick white discharge
- • Pain during sex
- • Discomfort when passing urine
Recurrent thrush should be assessed by a doctor, as symptoms can overlap with other vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infections.
2. Urinary Tract Infections
Diabetes can increase the risk of urinary tract infections, including bladder infections. High glucose levels can make it easier for bacteria to grow, and diabetes-related nerve changes may also affect how well the bladder empties1,3. Symptoms can include:
- • Burning when passing urine
- • Needing to urinate often
- • Urgency
- • Lower abdominal discomfort
- • Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- • Fever or back pain if the infection spreads toward the kidneys
Sexual Health and Bladder Symptoms
3. Sexual Health Changes
Diabetes can affect sexual wellbeing. Some women experience reduced sexual desire, difficulty becoming aroused, reduced genital sensation, vaginal dryness, difficulty with orgasm or painful sex2,3. Contributing factors include:
- • Reduced blood flow
- • Nerve changes
- • Hormonal changes
- • Vaginal dryness
- • Fatigue, anxiety or low mood
- • Menopause
4. Bladder Symptoms and Incontinence
Diabetes can affect the nerves that supply the bladder. This may lead to bladder symptoms such as urgency, frequency, leaking urine, difficulty emptying the bladder or urinary retention3. Symptoms can include:
- • Needing to pass urine frequently
- • Waking overnight to urinate
- • Sudden urgency
- • Leaking urine
- • Feeling the bladder has not fully emptied
- • Recurrent bladder infections
Periods, PMOS and Fertility
5. Periods, Hormones and PMOS
Some women notice that their blood glucose levels change across the menstrual cycle. Hormonal fluctuations before and during a period can affect insulin sensitivity and glucose control2.
Diabetes is also closely linked with insulin resistance, which is common in Polycystic Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), previously known as PCOS. PMOS can affect ovulation, periods, fertility and metabolic health. Healthdirect lists PMOS as a risk factor for gestational diabetes4.
6. Fertility and Trying to Conceive
Diabetes does not always cause infertility. However, diabetes-related conditions such as insulin resistance, PMOS, obesity and hormonal imbalance may make it more difficult for some women to conceive3.
Planning a Pregnancy?
If a woman with diabetes is planning pregnancy, preconception care is very important. Blood glucose levels should be optimised before conception where possible, because high glucose levels in the early weeks of pregnancy can affect the developing baby, often before a woman knows she is pregnant5.
Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes
7. Pregnancy Complications
Women with pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes can have healthy pregnancies, but they need careful planning and monitoring. Possible complications include:
- • Miscarriage
- • Pre-eclampsia
- • High blood pressure
- • A larger baby
- • Difficult birth
- • Induction of labour
- • Caesarean birth
- • Preterm birth
- • Stillbirth
- • Birth defects, particularly if glucose is high early in pregnancy
- • Baby needing special care after birth
High blood glucose during pregnancy can increase the chance of birth defects, preterm birth, large birth weight, breathing problems, low blood glucose after birth, miscarriage and stillbirth5.
8. Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It is usually diagnosed through routine antenatal screening. Risks include:
- • Large baby
- • Miscarriage or stillbirth
- • High blood pressure
- • Pre-eclampsia
- • Caesarean birth or other birth interventions
- • Baby developing obesity or type 2 diabetes later in life
- • Mother developing type 2 diabetes in the future
Healthdirect reports that around 1 in 10 pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes, and that around 1 in 2 people diagnosed with gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes in the future4.
Read more on our gestational diabetes page.
Menopause and Long-Term Health
9. Menopause and Perimenopause
Perimenopause and menopause can make diabetes management more unpredictable. Falling oestrogen levels, sleep disturbance, hot flushes, weight changes and mood symptoms may all affect blood glucose control. Common changes include:
- • Vaginal dryness
- • Painful sex
- • Recurrent infections
- • Changes in weight
- • More variable glucose levels
- • Increased cardiovascular risk after menopause
Diabetes Australia notes that menopause-related hormonal shifts can affect glucose levels and may mimic symptoms of high or low glucose, such as sweating, light-headedness and poor concentration1.
10. Long-Term Health Risks
Diabetes can also increase the risk of broader health problems that are highly relevant to women's health, especially after menopause:
- • Heart disease
- • Stroke
- • Kidney disease
- • Eye disease
- • Nerve damage
- • Depression
- • Sexual dysfunction
Regular diabetes reviews, blood pressure checks, kidney checks, eye checks and cardiovascular risk assessment are important parts of long-term care.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Women with diabetes should seek medical advice if they experience:
Early treatment can reduce complications and improve quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diabetes cause vaginal thrush?
Yes. Women with diabetes are more likely to experience vaginal thrush, especially when blood glucose levels are high. Recurrent thrush should be assessed by a doctor.
Can diabetes cause urinary tract infections?
Yes. Diabetes can increase the risk of urinary tract infections and bladder infections. Keeping glucose levels in the target range can help reduce this risk.
Can diabetes affect sex?
Yes. Diabetes may contribute to vaginal dryness, reduced arousal, reduced sexual desire, difficulty with orgasm and painful sex.
Can diabetes affect fertility?
Diabetes itself does not always cause infertility, but related conditions such as PMOS, insulin resistance and obesity can make it harder to conceive.
Is pregnancy higher risk with diabetes?
Pregnancy with diabetes can be higher risk, but many women have healthy pregnancies with careful planning and specialist care. Blood glucose control before and during pregnancy is especially important.
Does gestational diabetes go away?
Gestational diabetes often resolves after birth, but it increases the future risk of type 2 diabetes. Ongoing screening after pregnancy is important.
Need Specialised Care?
Connect with healthcare professionals experienced in diabetes and women's health
References
- Diabetes Australia. Living well with diabetes: a women's health guide. Diabetes Australia. 2026. Available from: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/blog/womens-health-guide/
- National Diabetes Services Scheme. Sexual health. NDSS. 2026. Available from: https://www.ndss.com.au/living-with-diabetes/everyday-life-with-diabetes/sexual-health/
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes, sexual, and bladder problems. NIDDK. 2018. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/sexual-bladder-problems
- Healthdirect Australia. Gestational diabetes. Healthdirect Australia. 2026. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gestational-diabetes
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Pregnancy if you have diabetes. NIDDK. 2024. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/diabetes-pregnancy
Last reviewed: July 2026 · Next review due: July 2027
This website content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.