Beyond the Pink: Real Talk about diabetes and women’s health in South Africa

When we think of Women’s Month, we often celebrate the strength, resilience, and beauty of women across South Africa. We wear pink, we share inspiring quotes, and we host wellness days.

But beneath the surface of celebration, there’s an urgent, often ignored health crisis quietly affecting millions of women: diabetes.

The Hidden Epidemic Among South African Women

Diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes, is on the rise and South African women are being hit hard. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), an estimated 4.5 million South Africans are living with diabetes [1], and many don’t even know it. Women, particularly those between ages 30 and 65, face unique risks:

Hormonal changes linked to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can affect blood sugar levels [2].
Gestational diabetes during pregnancy increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life [3].
Women with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease, kidney problems, and depression compared to men [4].

And yet, many women are too busy caring for everyone else to prioritise their own health.

Why Diabetes Often Goes Undiagnosed in Women

South African women juggle a lot. They’re often the glue of the household, from nurturing children, caring for elders, managing households, and holding down jobs. With so much on their shoulders, symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, or weight fluctuation are often brushed off or misattributed to stress or aging.

But these can be early signs of diabetes. Without regular screening, many women only get diagnosed when complications set in [5].

Taking back control. One small step at a time

This Women’s Month, Altys Group invites you to go beyond awareness and take action.

Here’s how you can start:

Do a 7-Day Wellness Check-In

For one week, pay attention to your body:

Track your energy levels.
Monitor your thirst, sleep, and mood.
Use a blood glucose monitor (like the FORA Diamond GD50 mmol/L) to get a clearer picture of your blood sugar patterns.

You don’t need a prescription or a doctor’s visit to get started – just a few minutes a day and the right tools.

Empower your Routine with the right devices

Altys Group offers easy-to-use, medically trusted devices to help you monitor and manage your health from home:

FORA Diamond GD50 mmol/L: A compact, accurate glucose monitor perfect for daily checks.
FORA 6 Connect Multi-Functional Monitoring System: One device, six functions including glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, and ketone testing.
Allpresan Diabetic Foot Care: Your feet need love too – especially the feet of women living with diabetes.

These aren’t luxury items. They’re life-saving tools that put knowledge and power into your hands.

You deserve to know. You deserve to act.

Women’s Month is a celebration of everything women are, but it should also be a reminder of what women deserve: knowledge, tools, and support to protect their health.

You don’t have to wait for a doctor’s appointment. You don’t have to feel overwhelmed. Start with one small step – your 7-day check-in. And if you’re a man reading this, here’s your chance to support the women in your life with compassion and care.

Because true empowerment begins with health.