Insulin Resistance in Women: Symptoms, Quiz & How It Impacts Hormones, Fatigue, and Weight Loss
If you're feeling more tired than usual, gaining weight around the belly, waking up at 2–4 AM, or struggling with cravings no matter how healthy you eat — you might be wondering if this is just perimenopause or menopause.
For many women, the real root cause is something silent but reversible:
Insulin Resistance.
It affects energy, hormones, weight loss, mood, sleep, digestion, and inflammation — and most women don’t know they have it.
Let’s start with a quick quiz.
Insulin Resistance Quiz (10 Questions)
Score 1 point for every “yes.”
Do you feel tired or drowsy after eating?
Do you crave sugar or carbs (especially mid-afternoon or evening)?
Do you get “hangry” if you miss a meal?
Is most of your weight gain around the belly?
Do you get energy crashes between 2–5 PM?
Do you wake up between 2–4 AM?
Do your perimenopause or menopause symptoms worsen with stress or sugar?
Do you struggle to lose weight unless carbs are reduced significantly?
Do you have darkened skin patches (neck, armpits)?
Have labs ever shown high glucose, A1C, triglycerides, or fatty liver?
Your Score:
0–3: Mild risk
4–6: Moderate risk
7–10: High likelihood of insulin resistance
If you scored 4 or more, keep reading — this might explain everything your doctor hasn’t been able to pinpoint.
What Is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas.
Its job is simple:
Insulin is the key that unlocks your cells so glucose (sugar) can move inside for energy.
But when your cells become “full” or overstressed, they stop responding to insulin.
This means:
Glucose stays in the bloodstream
Your pancreas pumps out MORE insulin
Your body becomes less and less sensitive to insulin
This state is called insulin resistance, and it leads to:
✔ belly fat
✔ low energy
✔ brain fog
✔ cravings
✔ mood changes
✔ poor sleep
✔ inflammation
✔ weight loss resistance
✔ elevated glucose or A1C
✔ hormone imbalance
For women 40–60, it’s one of the biggest drivers of perimenopause symptoms.
Symptoms of Insulin Resistance in Women
Many symptoms women blame on perimenopause are often signs of insulin resistance:
belly fat (especially sudden or unexplained)
fatigue after meals
cravings for sweets or carbs
irritability or mood swings
brain fog
bloating
sleep disruption
hot flashes
low energy in the afternoon
slow metabolism
increased PMS or perimenopause intensity
Perimenopause, Menopause & Insulin Resistance: The Hidden Connection
Declining estrogen and progesterone naturally make your cells less sensitive to insulin.
This is why many women notice:
weight gain
increased anxiety
blood sugar swings
worse sleep
inflammation
cravings
metabolic slowdown
It’s not “just hormones.”
It’s the combination of hormones plus blood sugar dysregulation.
This is good news — because insulin resistance is highly reversible.
Can You Reverse Insulin Resistance Naturally?
Yes — and often faster than you think.
Women I work with often see changes in:
energy
sleep
cravings
digestion
mood
weight
bloating
within 4–8 weeks when we address the real root causes:
✔ minerals (especially magnesium, zinc, chromium)
✔ cortisol rhythm
✔ gut health
✔ inflammation
✔ liver pathways
✔ protein and meal timing
✔ perimenopause or menopause hormone shifts
✔ stress physiology
Medication isn't the only option — lifestyle, strategic nutrition, and targeted support make a huge difference.
Wondering If This Is at the Root of Your Symptoms?
Let’s Talk About It.**
If you scored 4 or higher on the quiz, or if this blog made you say “this explains everything,” then you might benefit from a deeper functional look.
I offer a free 20-minute call where we can:
review your quiz - doing this Hormone Quiz will give us more insight as well.
identify what’s driving your symptoms
look at your hormone and blood sugar patterns
explore whether my Fix Your Hormones & Fight Fatigue program (or another option) fits your needs
It’s a supportive, zero-pressure conversation — you’ll walk away with clarity and direction.
👉 Book your call here: Book
You deserve to feel energized, balanced, and confident in your body again — without guessing.
Let’s get to the root together.
