HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS TODAY - AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW

For many women over 40, life is busy, responsibilities are high, and health can easily take a back seat. Yet, during this stage of life, your body becomes more sensitive to fluctuations in blood sugar — and these fluctuations can quietly erode your energy, mood, metabolism, and long-term health.

I see this every day in my patients: women who chalk their symptoms up to “getting older” or “hormones,” when in fact, uncontrolled blood sugar spikes are playing a major role.

The good news? By learning to spot the signs early, you can take control — and prevent these spikes from sabotaging your wellbeing.

Here are seven key signs and symptoms to look out for.

1. Mid-Afternoon Energy Crashes

That 3pm slump isn’t just about needing a coffee.When your blood sugar rises quickly after a carb-heavy meal or snack, your body responds by releasing insulin to pull that sugar into your cells.

This is often followed by a sharp drop in blood glucose, leaving you feeling exhausted, foggy, and craving sugar or caffeine.

‍Tip: If you often feel sleepy or unfocused within a few hours of eating, your blood sugar may be swinging more than it should.

2. Intense sugar or carb cravings

Cravings are not about “weak willpower.” They’re a biological signal.

When blood sugar drops too fast after a spike, your brain triggers cravings for quick-energy foods — typically sweet or refined carbs — to bring levels back up fast.

This can lead to a frustrating cycle of spike → crash → crave → repeat.

‍Watch for: Cravings that hit you even after a full meal, especially in the late afternoon or evening.

3. Unexplained Weight Gain (Especially Around the Middle)

Blood sugar spikes cause repeated insulin surges — and insulin is a storage hormone.

Over time, high insulin levels encourage fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area.F or women in perimenopause and menopause, hormonal shifts make this effect even stronger, meaning even small spikes can impact your waistline.

‍Clue: You’re eating “healthy” but your midsection continues to grow.

4. Brain Fog and Poor Concentration

Your brain relies on a steady supply of glucose for focus and memory. When your blood sugar is on a rollercoaster, your mental clarity rides it too — leading to brain fog, irritability, or even anxiety.

‍Note: If you notice you’re sharper after certain meals but foggier after others, you might be seeing the effects of post-meal glucose spikes.

5. Hormonal Fluctuations & Worsening Menopause Symptoms

Blood sugar and female hormones are deeply interconnected. Glucose spikes can amplify hot flushes, disrupt sleep, and worsen mood swings — particularly for women in their 40s and 50s whose oestrogen levels are already shifting.

‍Why: High blood sugar increases inflammation, which can make hormonal symptoms feel more intense.

6. Trouble Sleeping (Especially Waking at 2–3am)

If you find yourself wide awake in the early hours, it might not just be stress.A blood sugar crash during the night triggers a release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can wake you suddenly and make it hard to fall back asleep.

‍Hint: Waking at the same time each night may indicate an unstable overnight glucose pattern.

7. Skin Changes & Premature Ageing

Repeated glucose spikes accelerate a process called glycation, where excess sugar binds to proteins like collagen, damaging skin structure.

Over time, this can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and dull skin tone — years earlier than expected.

‍Clue: Skin looks more inflamed, reactive, or prematurely aged despite a good skincare routine.

Why I created Vively's Continuous Glucose Monitoring program

As a doctor, I’ve seen too many women in their 40s and beyond struggle with unexplained fatigue, weight gain, and hormonal changes — often told it’s “just part of getting older.”

But so much of it comes back to something we can measure, understand, and improve: blood sugar balance.

We created Vively because women deserve better than guesswork. Our goal was to combine medical-grade continuous glucose monitoring with the personal guidance of expert dietitians so you can see exactly how your food, movement, stress, and sleep affect your health — and make changes that actually work for your unique body.

For me, it’s about giving you clarity and confidence. When you understand your own blood sugar patterns, you can take control of your energy, mood, hormones, and long-term health — not just for today, but for the decades ahead.

If any of the signs in this article felt familiar, I’d love for you to experience how powerful it is to finally see your body’s data in real time. It’s the tool I wish more women had earlier in life.

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