SONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF UTERUS IN POST MENUPAUSAL WOMEN SUFFERING WITH DIABETES

Abstract

Background: Menopause represents the natural cessation of menstruation and the end of a woman’s reproductive phase, typically occurring between 45 and 55 years of age. This transition is marked by hormonal fluctuations, primarily the decline in estrogen levels, which may predispose women to various systemic and gynecological changes. Diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly Type 2 diabetes, is an escalating global health concern that further complicates postmenopausal health by influencing uterine structure and endometrial morphology through metabolic and vascular mechanisms.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the uterine morphology and endometrial characteristics in postmenopausal women with diabetes using sonographic assessment and to determine the association between diabetes and gynecological complications.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Radiology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, over five months. A total of 86 postmenopausal women aged 45–65 years diagnosed with diabetes mellitus were enrolled through convenient sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-designed questionnaire documenting demographic characteristics, medical history, menopausal age, and diabetic profile. All participants underwent standardized gray-scale and Doppler sonography using a Toshiba Aloka Prosound SSD-3500SX machine with 3.5 MHz curvilinear and 7.5 MHz linear probes to assess uterine size, morphology, and endometrial thickness.

Results: Among 86 participants, Type 2 diabetes was slightly more prevalent (51.2%) than Type 1 (48.8%). The majority (54.7%) experienced menopause between 40–45 years, and 84.9% reported postmenopausal gynecological symptoms. Sonographic findings revealed endometrial thickening in 39.5%, uterine fibroids in 40.7%, and uterine cancer in 14%. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between diabetes and gynecological complications (χ² = 32.605, p < 0.001), but no significant relationship between diabetes duration and complication occurrence (p = 0.607).

Conclusion: The study concluded that while diabetes is associated with a higher frequency of uterine abnormalities, the duration of diabetes did not significantly influence gynecological complications. Other factors such as obesity, hormonal imbalance, and metabolic changes may contribute more prominently to uterine pathology in postmenopausal women. Regular sonographic screening is recommended for early detection and prevention of complications.