What Changes at Menopause Menopause brings a significant drop in oestrogen levels. This hormone does more than regulate the menstrual cycle; it also influences how your cells respond to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar. When oestrogen decreases, your body's insulin sensitivity drops too. This means your cells don’t respond as well to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to swing more dramatically after eating sugar or carbohydrates. These swings can be tough to r