Exercise and the Menstrual Cycle in Type 1 Diabetes

What this study is about

Female participants with type 1 diabetes using oral contraceptives will be asked to wear a continuous glucose monitor for at least three days on two separate occasions (once during the last week of active pills and once during the no pill/placebo pill phase of the menstrual cycle). An exercise session (45 minutes of aerobic exercise at 60% VO2peak on a cycle ergometer) will take place at 5 pm on the second day of glucose monitoring.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• type 1 diabetes diagnosed for at least 1 year
• regular menses
• using monophasic oral contraceptives
• residing in Edmonton, Alberta and able to visit the lab at the University of Alberta

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• HbA1c > 9.9%
• frequent and unpredictable hypoglycemia
• change in insulin management strategy within two months of the study
• use of an automated insulin delivery system
• blood pressure > 140/95
• history of cardiovascular disease
• severe peripheral neuropathy
• active proliferative retinopathy
• use of medications (other than insulin) that would affect blood glucose levels
• any musculoskeletal condition that would contraindicate exercise (e.g. sprain, strain, joint injury, etc.)

Where this trial is running

• Alberta Diabetes Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada