Women and Diabetes
From the FDA Office of Women's Health
Be Empowered: Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes is a medical condition that affects over 30 million people in the United States. Learn more about diabetes and how real women take charge of their diabetes and health.
Did you know that diabetes affects women differently than men? It’s true! Women with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and other complications compared to men with diabetes.
There is good news. Diabetes can be managed by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and using FDA-approved insulin, other medications, and devices every day. FDA has lots of free information to help you manage your diabetes.
General Tips
Check these resources for tips to help you manage your diabetes.
Watch and learn helpful tips about managing your diabetes medicines. Vea el video en español
Food Safety for People with Diabetes
Your Glucose Meter - easy-to-read booklet for women
How to Report Problems with Glucose Meters
Diabetes Treatments
Some people with diabetes need to take insulin and other medications to help keep their blood sugar at a healthy level. What you need depends on your health and the type of diabetes you have. Use these resources to help you talk with your health care provider about your diabetes treatment.
- Diabetes Medicines - easy-to-read booklet for women
- Insulin - easy-to-read booklet for women
- Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products in an Emergency
- Beware of Illegally Sold Diabetes Treatments
Diabetes and Pregnancy
Some women develop diabetes for the first time when they become pregnant. This is called gestational (jes-Tay-shun-ul) diabetes. Other women have diabetes before they get pregnant. Use these resources to help you talk to your health care provider about how to manage diabetes during pregnancy.
- Medicine and Pregnancy Fact Sheet
- Pregnancy Registries - Sign-up for a study to help doctors learn more about how diabetes medicines affect women during pregnancy.
- Diabetes and Pregnancy (CDC)
Diverse Women in Clinical Trials Campaign
Clinical trials can help doctors learn more about treatments for diabetes. The FDA Office of Women's Health is partnering with the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health to raise awareness about diverse women of different ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, and health conditions participating in clinical trials.
Visit the Women in Clinical Trials webpage to learn how women with diabetes can make a difference.
Other Resources from the FDA
- FDA Minority Health and Health Equity Resource on Diabetes
- Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices
- FDA Diabetes Information on WebMD
- Order Free Women's Health Publications
- Women's Health Information on Twitter
Information from Other Government Agencies and Offices
- National Diabetes Education Program
- Diabetes Information on MedlinePlus
- Diabetes and Depression in Older Women
Resources For You
- YourDiabetesInfo.org
- American Diabetes Association
- Get Other FDA Publications for Women
- For Women Homepage