How high blood sugar and insulin levels affect men’s and women’s health

The impact depends on sex, age, and hormones. The goal of this article is to explain simply and clearly how high blood sugar and insulin levels affect men’s and women’s health differently.

Nurse and nutrition consultant Ly Juhe explains what high blood sugar and insulin mean for your health.

Men’s health: impact on fertility and heart

One of the best-known effects of high blood sugar in men is related to fertility. Prolonged high blood glucose can damage sperm cells and lower testosterone levels. This can reduce fertility, decrease libido, and cause erectile problems.

In addition, blood sugar imbalance affects heart health. Although men experience heart disease more often even before a diabetes diagnosis, high blood sugar increases this risk further. If testosterone levels are low, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes also rises.

Women’s health: heart, hormones, and pregnancy-related blood sugar balance

In women, the effects of high blood sugar often appear through the heart. For example, women who have had gestational diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease later in life. Women under 60 with diabetes may have up to four times higher risk of heart disease than their healthy peers.

Hormones play a major role in women. When estrogen levels drop or testosterone is too high, the risk of type 2 diabetes increases. High blood sugar during pregnancy can also raise the risk of complications for both mother and baby.

Differences between men and women in maintaining blood sugar balance

Men’s and women’s bodies process blood sugar differently. Women often have lower fasting blood sugar, but after meals, their blood glucose may rise more than men’s. Physically active women can regulate it better – but with little activity, this advantage disappears.

Hormones have a big influence here. In men, lack of testosterone increases diabetes risk. In women, falling estrogen or excess testosterone raises the risk.

Nurse and nutrition consultant Ly Juhe explains what this means for your health

Modern science confirms that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Men need more focus on maintaining hormonal balance and fertility. Women should focus more on heart health and preventing pregnancy-related risks.

For health, sex, age, hormone levels, and lifestyle play important roles. Therefore, prevention and treatment should also be personalized.

Simple steps for better health

The best thing you can do is take preventive care of your health:

If you have had gestational diabetes or have close relatives with diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about more regular blood sugar monitoring.

Health begins with awareness. And science-based information helps you make better choices.

LinX 15-day blood sugar sensor: better understand your body’s signals

Do you feel tired, have mood swings, often crave sweets, or are constantly hungry? Maybe it’s not just stress or lack of sleep, but your blood sugar levels.

LinX is a small and convenient blood sugar monitor that attaches to the skin and tracks blood glucose around the clock for 15 days. It gives you a clear picture of how your body responds to food, sleep, stress, and movement.

Unlike a glucometer, which usually measures blood sugar only 2–3 times a day, LinX provides as many as 1440 readings per day. This creates a complete and detailed graph of your blood sugar changes throughout the day. You can clearly see how meals, exercise, sleep, and stress affect it. These fluctuations provide valuable insight into your metabolic balance.

The more you know, the better decisions you can make. I and my clients who use a glucose sensor have discovered, for example:

Smoothies and porridge may seem like good and healthy choices, but in reality, we see that these foods can cause rapid blood sugar spikes, especially if not balanced with enough protein, fat, and fiber.

A smoothie may often contain 3–4 servings of fruit. Although fruits are full of natural fiber, blending partially breaks them down, making sugars more quickly available and absorbable – causing a faster glucose spike compared to eating whole fruit.

Smoothies and porridges can be part of a balanced diet. Add protein, fats, and fiber to them, avoid excess sugars, and prefer minimally processed ingredients.

When blood sugar is stable, energy remains more even, cravings decrease, and mood improves. This means better well-being and less unnecessary snacking.

Simple tips for achieving more stable blood sugar

You don’t need a strict diet or calorie counting. Awareness and small changes are enough. And it all starts with listening to your own body.

Take the first step toward better well-being today. You can conveniently get the LinX glucose monitor at: www.glukoosimonitor.ee