[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”1px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”1px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”3px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_top=”0.5px” border_color_top=”#505358″ border_width_bottom=”0.5px” border_color_bottom=”#505358″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”10px||10px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjI1In19@” button_text=”Back to News” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”12px” button_text_color=”#000000″ button_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” button_border_width=”0px” button_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” button_icon=”#||divi||400″ button_icon_color=”#89bbe5″ button_icon_placement=”left” button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_text_color__hover=”#89bbe5″ button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” button_bg_color__hover=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”80px||80px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”80px||80px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||80px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” date=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” module_id=”meta-new” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”64px” title_line_height=”70px” meta_font=”Calibri Regular||||||||” meta_text_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” meta_font_size=”10px” meta_line_height=”16px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_css_post_meta=”text-transform: uppercase;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_post_title author=”off” date_format=”j \u00b7 M \u00b7 Y” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”64px” title_line_height=”70px” meta_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” meta_text_color=”#000000″ meta_font_size=”14px” meta_line_height=”24px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” title_font_size_tablet=”” title_font_size_phone=”42px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” title_line_height_tablet=”” title_line_height_phone=”48px” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_post_meta=”text-transform: uppercase;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”24px” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
We are thrilled to present you with the next episode of our series \u201cINSIDE DCB\u201d!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.dcberne.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Header-for-Website-2-scaled.png” title_text=”Header for Website-2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” custom_margin=”64px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”48px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||40px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||40px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ module_id=”post-content” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”36px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”20px” ol_item_indent=”20px” module_id=”post-body” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Calibri Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#505358″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||70px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||48px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The Diabetes Centre Berne (DCB) is investigating the influence of hormonal fluctuations, particularly the menstrual cycle, on diabetes management. Martina Rothenb\u00fchler<\/a> and Stefanie Hossmann<\/a> explain how they are working with the community to collect data and gain new insights to help those affected.<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”36px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”20px” ol_item_indent=”20px” module_id=”post-body” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Calibri Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#505358″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||60px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||60px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n MR:<\/strong> My focus is on data analysis and developing research questions. I draw on my background in biostatistics and investigate, for example, how hormonal fluctuations influence insulin requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n SH:<\/strong> I am responsible for coordinating studies at the DCB and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. My background as a biologist enables me to tailor these studies to the specific needs of the participants.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”36px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”20px” ol_item_indent=”20px” module_id=”post-body” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Calibri Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#505358″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||60px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||60px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” min_height__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n SH:<\/strong> We learned from the diabetes community, from various people living with diabetes, that there are fluctuations in diabetes management in relation to the menstrual cycle. We then began to look into the topic in more detail. We found very little on this in the mainstream scientific journals, so we decided to investigate the topic more thoroughly. There are different phases in the menstrual cycle during which hormones increase or decrease. These include, for example, the follicular phase and, at the end, the luteal phase. Ovulation takes place in between. Since all of this is closely linked to hormones, we assumed that insulin requirements are also affected.<\/span><\/p>\n MR:<\/strong> I previously worked at Ava, a femtech start-up. There, we conducted research projects that showed that the menstrual cycle has many different effects, for example in the areas of sport and osteoporosis. This sparked my interest, as insulin sensitivity may also be related to this.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”36px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”20px” ol_item_indent=”20px” module_id=”post-body” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Calibri Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#505358″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||60px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||60px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n MR:<\/strong> One of the reasons is the so-called gender health data gap, i.e. the lack of health data on women. For a long time, women were excluded from clinical studies to avoid risks, for example in the event of pregnancy. In addition, hormonal fluctuations were considered potential confounding factors that could make general statements difficult. These aspects are not yet sufficiently anchored in research.<\/span><\/p>\n SH:<\/strong> That’s really surprising. With almost every new research topic, you realise that this is not a given.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”36px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”20px” ol_item_indent=”20px” module_id=”post-body” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Calibri Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#505358″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||60px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||60px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n MR:<\/strong> We have mainly received feedback from people who already considered the topic important or saw it as a personal problem. However, we do not know how many women did not feel affected by it. For some, enthusiasm for our research was greater than their willingness to actually participate in the study. Nevertheless, many found the topic interesting and important, even if participating in a study is a hurdle.<\/span><\/p>\n SH:<\/strong> We also often received feedback that this issue is seen as a relatively minor problem and that more important issues should be addressed first. However, we take a different view. Especially when diabetes management is already at a high level, a small improvement, such as five per cent more time in the target range (time in range), can bring about a noticeable improvement. This has also been confirmed by the community.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”36px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”20px” ol_item_indent=”20px” module_id=”post-body” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Calibri Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#505358″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||60px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||60px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n MR:<\/strong> Our aim is to bring more data from women and non-binary people into medical research and to raise awareness of these issues. The focus is not only on time-in-range, but also on how technology should be designed in this context. For example, more is already known about the influence of gender on sport and nutrition in relation to diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n SH:<\/strong> However, less research has been done on hormonal transition phases such as pregnancy, breastfeeding or gender reassignment.<\/span><\/p>\n MR:<\/strong> Or even the entire puberty phase. All these gender-specific phases are related to diabetes, but they are still largely unexplored. We are currently working on an editorial that highlights precisely these areas.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”36px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”20px” ol_item_indent=”20px” module_id=”post-body” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Calibri Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#505358″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||60px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||60px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n MR:<\/strong> What is special about diabetes and the menstrual cycle is that there is no specific industry behind it and therefore hardly any commercial interests at stake. Our research covers the entire field of diabetes technology and is not limited to a single manufacturer. However, this also means that there is often little research funding available and we are dependent on third-party funding. As a foundation, we are therefore in a good position to conduct this research together with people with diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Avant Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”36px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”20px” ol_item_indent=”20px” module_id=”post-body” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Calibri Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#505358″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ custom_margin=”0px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||60px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||60px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n MR:<\/strong> What I find exciting is the fact that, although there are restrictions for certain groups, many of those affected have nevertheless found their own solutions to deal with the challenges. They have developed strategies that work for them personally.<\/span><\/p>\n SH:<\/strong> We are currently working closely with the community to understand exactly where the problems lie and what needs exist. We are collecting data on the extent of the burden and the strategies that those affected have developed to cope with it. So far, we have evaluated data from the past. In the future, we would like to collect data in a targeted and forward-looking manner to get even better answers to our questions.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”0px” custom_padding=”0px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”20px” ol_item_indent=”20px” module_id=”post-body” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Calibri Regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#505358″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” link_font=”||||on|||#89BBE5|” link_text_color=”#89BBE5″ min_height=”219px” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||80px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||48px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Thanks so much for reading, and we\u2019ll provide you with the next episode of this series soon!<\/p>\nResearch at the Diabetes Centre Berne: Focus on the menstrual cycle and insulin requirements<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Martina Rothenb\u00fchler (MR) and Stefanie Hossmann (SH), what are your roles at the Diabetes Centre Berne (DCB)?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
How did you come up with the idea to research this topic?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Why has this topic been largely unexplored until now?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
How does the diabetes community view your efforts to investigate the link between diabetes and the menstrual cycle?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
What further goals are you pursuing with your research in this area?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Why is this topic particularly relevant to the Diabetes Centre Berne?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
What specific projects are you currently working on, and what are your main goals?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n