Women & Type 2 Diabetes: Why Later Diagnosis?
Women often face later diagnoses and worse outcomes regarding type 2 diabetes, despite men statistically being more prone to initial diagnosis. This disparity sparks critical research into biological, social, and hormonal factors, including the impact of pregnancy and menopause on women’s health. Underdiagnosis coudl be a key reason, according to experts exploring why women experience higher mortality from cardiovascular disease and other health risks. Furthermore, gestational diabetes significantly increases the risk of later developing type 2 diabetes. News Directory 3 delves into how fat storage and diagnostic approaches are impacting treatment. Discover what’s next as we explore future research focused on early detection and tailored treatments for women.
Diabetes Gender gap: Women Face Underdiagnosis, Worse Outcomes
Updated May 26, 2025
Even though men are statistically more prone to a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, women frequently enough experience later diagnoses and face graver consequences, including a higher risk of death from heart disease. Experts suggest that underdiagnosis in women may partially explain this disparity, prompting research into biological and social factors that contribute to these differences.
Michael Leutner, a professor at the Medical University of Vienna, believes that relying on certain tests while neglecting others is a primary reason for the underdiagnosis of diabetes in women. Researchers are exploring how hormonal differences affect type 2 diabetes, particularly the impact of major hormonal shifts during pregnancy and menopause on blood sugar management.
Gestational diabetes, according to Judith Regensteiner, a professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, is a important predictor of future type 2 diabetes in women. Studies indicate that women with gestational diabetes are up to eight times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Peter Goulden, associate professor at Mount Sinai, notes that fat storage patterns also play a role. Men are more prone to storing visceral fat, which releases fatty acids that increase insulin resistance, hindering the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar effectively.
What’s next
Future research will likely focus on refining diagnostic approaches to identify at-risk women earlier and tailoring treatments to address the unique biological and social factors that influence diabetes progress and progression in women.