Post menopausal Women Have higher Cholesterol Levels

As women go through menopause, they develop a significant increase in the levels bad cholesterol.
Researchers reported this finding in the December issue of the medical journal American College of Cardiology.
The study authors report that their study identifies that the year that women have their last menstrual cycle, they develop a very sharp increase in the LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol.  Researchers studied 1,054 women who were enrolled in the prospective medical study entitled Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) in which they analyzed their data for 10 years.  The women were approximately 47 years old at baseline and, on average, had their natural final menstrual period approximately three years after study entry. The final menstrual period was defined as 12 consecutive months without a period.
Study authors report that in the year before and after the final menstrual period, women experienced rapid increases in LDL cholesterol.
The LDL “bad” cholesterol levels appeared to remain high.

Additionally, study authors reported that the women participants had no changes in blood pressure, insulin, glucose, lipoprotein(a) levels or evidence of inflammation or clotting related to menopausal transition.

This is the first study to show that menopause is associated with worsening in cholesterol levels.  Although we have been suspicious that postmenopausal women will develop higher cholesterol, this study proves it.
Untreated high levels of bad cholesterol is directly related to heart attacks and strokes.  This is an important finding and should serve as a wakeup call for postmenopausal women to check their cholesterol levels and review the information with their doctor.

Cristopher Geiler, MD
J Am College Cardiol. 2009;54:2366-2373 and 2374-2375

Posted on December 13, 2009

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