Introduccion: la diabetes mellitus (DM) es la enfermedad cronica mas prevalente en la posmenopausia. La deficiencia estrogenica paulatina que se sucede en el climaterio, produce sintomas y deterioro de algunos organos y sistemas, con cambios negativos en la calidad de vida (CV). Objetivo: evaluar la presencia y severidad de sintomas relacionados con la menopausia, asi como la CV que tienen mujeres climatericas diagnosticadas con DM tipo II. Metodologia: estudio transversal que involucra mujeres colombianas que padecen DM tipo II, residentes en la costa caribe y pacifica, en areas urbanas y rurales, entre 40 y 59 anos de edad, que hacen parte de la base de datos del proyecto CAVIMEC (Calidad de Vida en la Menopausia y Etnias Colombianas). Fueron valoradas con “Menopause Rating Scale” (MRS), escala especifica de CV para mujeres en menopausia, para establecer la prevalencia y la severidad de las manifestaciones menopausicas, el deterioro de los dominios y la puntuacion total de la escala. El formulario de datos socio-demograficos y la escala MRS fueron aplicados puerta a puerta en las residencias de las mujeres. Los datos se presentan en media±DS y porcentual. Resultados: 192 mujeres climatericas afectadas de DM tipo II son evaluadas con MRS. Edad promedio 52.3±5.8. Escolaridad superior a seis anos: 67.8%. En sobrepeso u obesidad: 66.2%. Nunca fumadoras: 63.2%. Cincuenta o mas anos de edad: 68.9%. Presencia concomitante de hipertension arterial: 40.9%. Con pareja sexual: 58.5%. En posmenopausia el 63.7%, y entre estas la edad promedio de ultima regla fue a 48.4±4.3 anos. Los sintomas mas prevalentes fueron: oleadas de calor (70.3%), dolores musculo/articulares (69.2%), cansancio fisico-mental (68.7%) y trastorno del sueno (68.2%), similares a los obtenidos en otras poblaciones colombianas, sin discriminar por presencia de DM. El problema severo mas prevalente fueron los problemas sexuales (30.6%). El 25% de las mujeres tenian deterioro severo del dominio urogenital y el 16% deterioro severo de la calidad de vida. Conclusion: en mujeres colombianas climatericas con DM se observa puntuacion total del MRS similar a la poblacion general. Es elevada la prevalencia del deterioro severo del dominio urogenital y los problemas sexuales severos. Rev.cienc.biomed.2012;3(1):13-23 PALABRAS CLAVES Climaterio; Diabetes mellitus tipo II; Menopausia; Calidad de vida. SUMMARY Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most prevalent chronic disease inpostmenopausal. The gradual estrogenic deficiency followed in climacteric, causes symptoms and deterioration of some organs and systems, with negative changes in the quality of life (QOL). Objective: Evaluate the presence and severity of symptoms related with the menopause, just as the QOL that have climacteric women diagnosed with DM type II. Methods: A cross sectional study was done among Colombian women with DM type II, resident in Atlantic and Pacific coasts, in urban and rural areas, between 40 and 59 years, and that are part of the database of the Life Quality in Menopause in Colombian Ethnic Groups project (CAVIMEC). They were assessed with “Menopause Rating Scale” (MRS), specific scale of CV to menopausal women, to establish the prevalence and severity of the menopausal manifestations, the deterioration of the subscales and the total score of the scale. The formulary of sociodemographics information and the MRS scale were applied door to door in the women residences. Data is expressed in mean ± DS and percentages. Results : 192 climacteric women suffering from DM type II were assessed with MRS. Average age was 52.3 ± 5.8. Schooling higher than six years: 67.8%. In overweight and obesity: 66.2%. Never smoker: 63.2%. Fifty or more years old: 68.9%. Concomitantly arterial hypertension: 40.9%. With sexual partner: 58.5%. In postmenopausal: 63.7%, between these the median age of last menstruation was 48.4±4.3 years. The most prevalent symptoms were hot flashes (70.3%), joint and muscular discomfort (69.2%), physical and mental exhaustation (68.7%) and sleep disturbances (68.2%), similar to those obtained in other Colombian population. The most prevalent severe problem were sexual problems (30.6%). 25% of the women had severe deterioration of the urogenital subscale and 16% had severe deterioration in the QOL. Conclusion: Colombian climacteric women with DM have total MRS score similar to the general population. It is high the prevalence of the severe deterioration of the urogenital subscale and the severe sexual problems. Rev.cienc.biomed. 2012;3(1):13-23 KEY WORDS Climacteric; Diabetes mellitus type II; Menopause; Quality of life.