From the Community: Navigating your period with T1D
Managing Type 1 diabetes is already tough, but throw in the hormonal changes from your menstrual cycle, and things can get even trickier.
From fluctuating insulin sensitivity to blood sugar spikes and dips, it’s not always easy to predict how your body will react each month. But here’s the thing: You’re not alone in this.
I reached out to our community to get their real-life insights on navigating the menstrual cycle with T1D. While everyone’s experience is unique, the tips and strategies shared here might just help you better understand how your cycle impacts your blood sugar—and what you can do to manage it. This is organized by pump type/MDI to help you navigate what is most relevant for you!
Remember, what works for one person might not work for another, so always consult with your healthcare provider to find the best approach for you.
(HUGE thank you to everyone who contributed to this blog! If you’d like to add your response, fill out this short form!)
OMNIPOD 5
“I find the 2-3 days leading up to my period, I have enough insulin resistance that I need a bit of extra insulin for my meals/snacks/corrections. I increase them by about 10%-30% depending on what I’m noticing that month! I have a similar increase in needs around ovulation as well. But I’m usually fine to stay in auto mode otherwise!” -Meg C. (me!!)
“I need more insulin in the days leading up to my period and become extremely insulin resistant.” -Anonymous
“Because I use an HCL pump, I prefer to focus on bolus and behavior changes rather than basal changes. I notice higher insulin sensitivity for 4-5 days pre-ovulation. It's usually subtle enough to leave bolus amounts alone but I reduce pre-bolus time from 15 to 10 min and keep a closer eye out for lows during exercise (even without IOB). For 5-6 days before my period, I'm quite resistant. I increase boluses manually by 20-30% and increase pre-bolus time to 20 min. Took forever to nail these down and every month still feels a little different so these strategies don't always work. I try to be extra patient, adapt as needed, and give myself grace on TIR.” - Karly R.
OMNIPOD DASH/EROS
”I increase my bolus for these times by 10-35%, depending on what I need. I notice I need much more insulin in those times and I try not to beat myself up about bad sugars or bad days - my body is working hard and I can’t do more than my best. I do NOT try to eat low carb because I know my body needs the energy that I can get from carbs. I’m still learning how to deal with it but having different basal settings for this time of the month helps!” -Anonymous
MDI
“I find my needs are never consistent for each period i have. some months i need double the insulin i normally take, and sometimes my insulin sensitivity is so high that i take a unit less than normal. i think the trick i’ve learned through this is to really listen to my body. i used to be nervous about taking a lot of insulin at one time, but if i notice my breakfast bolus didn’t put me where i usually am afterwards, then i know that my needs have increased and i act accordingly for the next meal. overall, my trick is to listen to your body and to not let a large amount of insulin scare you if that’s what your body is telling you it needs.” -Anonymous
“I increase my basal by 1-2 units 2-3 days before my period starts depending on CGM & trends. Once it starts I decrease basal again. Then day after it ends, lower back to baseline (or even less than baseline for a day depending on lows).” - Jackie Q.
“I notice I am high 3 days before my period and low 3 days once my period has started. A week before my period I will up my Tresiba long acting dose by a unit (it takes a few days for the adjustment to start working) and then 3 days before my period I will lower it to counteract the incoming lows! If I’m too busy/uninterested to mess with my long acting I just increase my short acting 3 days before hand and try to get more exercise and eat more balanced meals. I will do vice versa for the 3 days post and take that as a time to rest more and eat more!” -Bailey L.
Tandem
“I have a separate profile in my pump that I switch over to during and prior to my period. Usually prior to my period I am needing 25% more insulin than usual.” -Anonymous
“7-10 days before my period I get stubbornly high so to battle the insulin resistance I switch to a new profile for 2-3 days that has 20% stronger settings. Now that CIQ+ is available I may try an increased temp rate for 72 hours to see how it compares. Previously on diy loop (Omnipod dash + g7) I would have used a 20% override which I had programmed in as a preset. When I start bleeding, I am more insulin sensitive and do the same as above but using a 10% reduction. I'm not on hormonal contraception, but when I was (briefly), glucose would spike around ovulation and I needed stronger settings during that time of the month instead. It was definitely a different pattern!” - Liz A.
“Luckily my cycles don’t always spike my sugars. But if they do I normally increase my basal overall or set a temp basal” - Anonymous
mylife YpsoPump
“Pattern: Day before period is due, lots of lows. Day period comes I sit higher and need more insulin as a whole. Then my insulin needs drop off slowly during my cycle.” - Sadie W.
