Type 2 diabetes linked to greater menopause symptom burden in postmenopausal women

Women with type 2 diabetes mellitus reported a higher number of menopause symptoms and greater symptom severity compared with non-diabetic women, with statistically significant differences observed specifically in the postmenopause stage, according to a new study published in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society.^1,2

According to the Society, midlife women face an elevated risk of chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes as a result of hormone changes associated with the menopause transition. Weight gain and fat redistribution to the midsection during midlife contribute to increased visceral adiposity and a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The global prevalence of diabetes was estimated at 10% in 2024, with risk continuing to rise with age.¹

While previous studies have identified a reciprocal relationship between menopause and diabetes development, pointing to early menopause and the postmenopause stage as triggering factors, most prior research has focused on menopause stage, age at menopause, or timing rather than directly assessing menopause symptom burden.

The study included nearly 300 women aged 40 to 64 years in South Korea. Researchers used the Midlife Women’s Symptom Index to assess menopause symptoms and examined whether type 2 diabetes is associated with the number and severity of those symptoms. Participants were evaluated across all menopause stages, with separate analysis of the diabetic group, which included women with both diabetes and prediabetes.

Across all menopause stages, women in the diabetic group reported a higher prevalence of menopause symptoms compared with non-diabetic women. However, the difference reached statistical significance only in the postmenopause stage. Similarly, symptom severity was consistently higher in the diabetic group across menopause stages, but again, a statistically significant difference was observed only among postmenopausal women.

The study was conducted among Korean midlife women and was published under the title “Association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and menopause symptoms among Korean midlife women.”²

“This study demonstrates that women with diabetes may experience a greater burden of menopause symptoms,” said Stephanie Faubion, MD, medical director for The Menopause Society.

“Prior research has also shown that cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, are associated with more frequent vasomotor symptoms, and women with a higher vasomotor symptom burden tend to have a less favorable cardiometabolic risk profile. Together, these findings not only highlight the need to recognize and address menopause symptoms in women with diabetes but also underscore the menopause transition as an important opportunity to identify and manage cardiovascular risk factors in all women,” she said.

The authors recommended integrating menopause symptom assessment and management into diabetes care for midlife women to improve quality of life.

“Tailored interventions may help managing symptom burden and improve overall quality of life in this population,” stated the authors in Menopause.

References:

1. Worse Menopause Symptoms May Accompany Type 2 Diabetes. The Menopause Society. News release. Published August 4, 2026. Accessed August 10, 2026. https://menopause.org/press-releases/worse-menopause-symptoms-may-accompany-type-2-diabetes
2. Lee Yang Y, Kim Y, Shin Y. Association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and
   menopausal symptoms among Korean midlife women. Menopause. Published online August 4, 2026. Accessed August 10, 2026. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002883