Exercise and the Menstrual Cycle in Type 1 Diabetes

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA · Jan 10, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how exercise affects blood sugar levels in women with type 1 diabetes during different phases of their menstrual cycle. Women who are eligible to participate must have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least one year, have regular menstrual cycles, and be using a specific type of birth control called monophasic oral contraceptives. Participants should live in Edmonton, Alberta, and be able to visit the University of Alberta lab for the study.

If you join the trial, you'll wear a device that continuously monitors your blood sugar for at least three days. This will happen during two different times in your menstrual cycle: once while taking the active birth control pills and once during the placebo or no-pill phase. On the second day of monitoring, you will do a 45-minute aerobic exercise session on a stationary bike. This study aims to help researchers understand how menstrual cycles impact exercise and blood sugar control in women with type 1 diabetes, which could lead to better management strategies for patients in the future.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • type 1 diabetes diagnosed for at least 1 year
• • regular menses
• • using monophasic oral contraceptives
• • residing in Edmonton, Alberta and able to visit the lab at the University of Alberta
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • HbA1c \> 9.9%
• • frequent and unpredictable hypoglycemia
• • change in insulin management strategy within two months of the study
• • use of an automated insulin delivery system
• • blood pressure \> 140/95
• • history of cardiovascular disease
• • severe peripheral neuropathy
• • active proliferative retinopathy
• • use of medications (other than insulin) that would affect blood glucose levels
• • any musculoskeletal condition that would contraindicate exercise (e.g. sprain, strain, joint injury, etc.)