6 Sneaky Early Warning Signs of Diabetes in Women That Could Point to Uncontrolled Blood Sugar

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it effectively, causing high blood sugar levels. Insulin is crucial for helping the body convert glucose into energy. When insulin doesn’t work properly, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to increased blood sugar. Over time, this can result in serious complications such as organ damage and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. That’s why recognizing the early signs of diabetes in women is so important.

“Diabetes can affect every organ system,” says Sanjay Dixit, MD , medical director of cardiometabolic endocrine and wellness clinical solutions at Quest Diagnostics. “Early detection and management of type 2 diabetes is crucial.”

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But while diabetes affects around 15 percent of the adult population—and nearly 30 percent of people over age 65—the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) estimates that more than one in five people with diabetes don’t even realize they have it. That’s because type 2 diabetes symptoms [in women] can be all too easy to miss.

“Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include excessive thirst, excessive urination, unintentional weight loss and blurred vision,” Dr. Dixit says. “But these symptoms are usually associated with undiagnosed, severe type 2 diabetes.” In early or mild cases, the signs of diabetes are often more subtle.

6 early warning signs of diabetes in women

Early detection is crucial, especially since women face a higher risk of developing serious diabetes complications like heart disease, kidney disease and vision loss . Here are six subtle signs to watch for:

Frequent UTIs

Experiencing more urinary tract infections (UTIs) than usual could be an early sign of diabetes. High blood sugar creates an environment where bacteria thrive, increasing the risk of UTIs.

“A lesser-known symptom of type 2 diabetes that is more common among women is recurrent UTIs,” Dr. Dixit says. “Women tend to get more UTIs than men in general due to anatomy, but high blood sugar can further encourage bacterial growth in the urinary tract, which can lead to increased infections.” Diabetes can also affect your immune system, he adds, which can make it harder to fight off an infection.

You should also inform your doctor if your urine smells like popcorn. When your body isn’t processing glucose properly, it burns fat for energy instead, creating ketones, which can produce a sweet-smelling odor in the urine.

Unexplained fatigue

If you're constantly feeling tired or fatigued, it could be an early warning sign of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes interferes with your body’s ability to use glucose for energy, leading to fatigue.

A study in the Industrial Psychiatry Journal found that people with diabetes were ten times more likely to experience fatigue than those without the condition.

History of gestational diabetes

If you had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life is much higher. According to research from the Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association , women who had gestational diabetes have up to a 50 percent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Worsening menopause symptoms

If your menopause symptoms—such as hot flashes, fatigue, and trouble sleeping—seem more intense than usual, it might be linked to high blood sugar. “Most common menopause symptoms, like hot flashes, fatigue and problems sleeping, conceivably could be exacerbated by persistently elevated blood sugars,” Dr. Dixit explains.

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Tingling in fingers or toes

High blood sugar over time can damage the small blood vessels that supply the nerves, leading to a condition called diabetic neuropathy. This can cause tingling, burning, or numbness in your hands, feet, or legs.

If you notice tingling or numbness in your extremities, it’s important to seek treatment right away to prevent further nerve damage.

Slow-healing cuts

When diabetes is not well controlled, it can slow down the body’s ability to heal. According to a study in Medicina , about 25 percent of people with diabetes experience slower wound healing, often staying in the inflammatory phase longer.

If you have a cut that seems to be healing unusually slowly, talk to your doctor.

How to diagnose type 2 diabetes early

Many people don’t experience symptoms in the early stages of type 2 diabetes, which makes regular checkups essential, even if you feel fine. Dr. Dixit recommends asking your doctor for routine blood tests like the fasting blood glucose test, A1C test, or a glucose tolerance test.

“Regular screenings help catch type 2 diabetes early, which is when treatment is most effective,” Dr. Dixit adds.

Your doctor can screen for diabetes with blood tests such as a fasting blood glucose test (which measures your blood glucose level after an overnight fast), an A1C test (which measures your average blood glucose level over time) or a glucose tolerance test (which checks your blood glucose at various intervals after consuming a sugary liquid).

“Staying on top of health screenings can help prevent illness, disease and chronic health conditions by detecting type 2 diabetes in earlier stages when treatment is likely to work best,” Dr. Dixit adds.

Keep reading for ways to manage and prevent diabetes:

How To Prevent Type 2 Diabetes, Plus the Sneaky Risk Factors You Need To Know

Eating Less Red and Processed Meat Could Lower Diabetes Risk, Study Finds

Baked Potatoes and Other Carbs May Have Diabetes Benefits—if Eaten This Way

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan .