Managing Diabetes Through the Menstrual Cycle: Insights from Tidepool & Inito Data 🩸
Living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) means constantly adapting to my body’s needs, and one thing I’ve learned is how much my menstrual cycle affects my blood glucose levels and insulin requirements. By combining my data from Tidepool and Inito and uploading to ChatGPT to conduct analysis, I’ve uncovered patterns in how my glucose variability and insulin sensitivity change throughout the different phases of my cycle.
🔍 Here's What ChatGPT had to say:
Menstrual Phase (Days 0–5): With hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) at their lowest, glucose variability is moderate, and insulin needs are generally stable. Basal rates can typically remain unchanged. (I often set a profile decreasing my overall insulin needs by 10% with a target range of 100-105mg/dL).
Proliferative Phase (Days 6–13): Rising estrogen enhances insulin sensitivity, leading to more stable glucose levels. Insulin requirements, particularly bolus doses, might be slightly lower in this phase.
Ovulation (Day 14): A peak in estrogen and LH results in the highest insulin sensitivity and the lowest glucose variability. Temporary basal insulin reductions may help avoid hypoglycemia during this time.
Secretory Phase (Days 15–28): Rising progesterone and decreasing estrogen reduce insulin sensitivity, leading to increased glucose variability. Gradual increases in both basal and bolus insulin may be needed to maintain glucose stability, particularly toward the end of this phase.
⚠️ Variables to Consider: Every body is unique, and several factors can influence how hormones and glucose variability interact. Here are some key variables in my case:
No hormonal contraception since 2020, which allows for natural hormone fluctuations.
Changes in ADHD medication and lifestyle, which can impact neurotransmitter, menstrual hormone, and glucose levels.
An estrogen-dominant diagnosis in 2024, highlighting the role of higher estrogen levels in influencing insulin sensitivity.
Possible hormonal fluctuations due to experiencing traumatic loss, which can affect stress levels and cortisol, impacting glycemic levels and insulin requirements.
These variables remind me that tracking, reflecting, and adjusting are ongoing processes.
📈 How I Did It:
Uploaded CGM Data to Tidepool: I used my continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data to track glucose trends over 90 days, offering a comprehensive view of how my blood sugar fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle.
Tracked Hormones with Inito: I used Inito to monitor menstrual hormones (E3G, LH, PdG, FSH) and identify cycle phases. The hormone levels provide quantitative snapshots, similar to a blood glucometer reading, rather than continuous tracking. Hormonal data was collected in the morning, using the first urination of the day for consistency.
Analyzed Data with ChatGPT: I prompted ChatGPT to overlay hormone data with glucose trends and conduct a detailed analysis. This helped pinpoint how each phase of my menstrual cycle impacts glucose variability and insulin needs.
DIY LOOP Profiles: Over the past 4 years, I’ve created and adjusted insulin dosing profiles through DIY LOOP, tailoring them to align with my menstrual cycle phases. By identifying patterns and using menstrual tracking apps, I’ve refined these profiles to reduce glycemic variability and increase my “time in range.”
These tools and strategies allow me to adapt to my body’s needs, helping me stay proactive in managing both diabetes and the hormonal fluctuations of my menstrual cycle.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Tracking hormonal changes can provide a roadmap for managing glucose variability.
Small adjustments in basal and bolus insulin during each phase can improve blood sugar stability.
Tools like Tidepool and Inito empower us to personalize diabetes management.
✨ Why It Matters: This integrated approach helps me anticipate changes, reduce frustration, and feel more empowered in managing diabetes and my overall health and well-being. Sharing this experience is also my way of advocating for:
Participation in diabetes and menstrual cycle studies, such as the innovative research being conducted by Diabetes Centre Berne, to better understand the connection between glucose variability, menstrual cycles, and AID systems.
Continued advancements in menstrual cycle tracking technology to improve accuracy and accessibility for menstruating people.
Integration between diabetes technology and menstrual cycle tracking to create seamless, data-driven solutions that empower users to make informed decisions about their health.
By openly sharing my journey, I hope to inspire others to explore how understanding their menstrual cycle can complement diabetes care and drive meaningful progress in this space. If you’re curious about the process or would like to share your experiences, let’s connect! Managing diabetes is tough, especially for menstruating people, but with the right tools, we can adapt and thrive. 💪
