Gender-specific health care in diabetes mellitus.

This article reviews information on health care issues of specific clinical relevance for women with diabetes mellitus (type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes mellitus), high-lighting several topics that require careful attention by the physician and the diabetes management team. Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent among women than men, making prevention and early detection particularly important in the treatment of women. Major areas of health care concern for women with diabetes include cardiovascular disease, mental health, infections, and contraception and fertility. Knowledge of lifespan issues from adolescence through menopause is crucial to the management of women with diabetes.