Cholesterol level fluctuates with menstrual cycle
Women's cholesterol levels vary throughout their menstrual cycle as their levels of oestrogen rise and fall.
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Women's cholesterol levels vary throughout their menstrual cycle as their levels of oestrogen rise and fall.
To evaluate the association between oestrogen and serum lipoproteins across the menstrual cycle, researchers studied 259 healthy American woman aged 18 to 44 years old and compared their levels of oestrogen with cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The data regarding their weight, and lipid profile was measured up to eight times per cycle for up to two cycles.
Most of the women (94 percent) had 14 or more measurements taken over two menstrual cycles. The women also charted the phases of their cycles using at-home fertility monitors that detect hormone levels indicating ovulation.
It was found that as oestrogen levels rise, high-density lipoproteins (HDL - good cholesterol) also rises, peaking at ovulation. Only 5 percent participants had cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dL, which is borderline high-risk for heart disease. But, cholesterol levels among 20 percent of the women reached 200 mg/dL at least once. In addition, some obese women over 40 had higher fluctuation in cholesterol levels than did the rest of the group.
At the same time, as oestrogen levels increased, total and low-density lipoproteins (LDL - bad cholesterol), as well as levels of triglycerides, fell. This decline began a couple of days after oestrogen levels peaked at ovulation. In addition, levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were lowest just before the start of menstruation.
The study shows that hormones play an important role in women's lives on all levels, including basic things like the lipid profile. The menstrual cycle plays a very important role in women's overall health. Since lipid profile levels vary across the menstrual cycle, cyclic variations may need to be considered in the clinical management of the cholesterol levels in women.
To evaluate the association between oestrogen and serum lipoproteins across the menstrual cycle, researchers studied 259 healthy American woman aged 18 to 44 years old and compared their levels of oestrogen with cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The data regarding their weight, and lipid profile was measured up to eight times per cycle for up to two cycles.
Most of the women (94 percent) had 14 or more measurements taken over two menstrual cycles. The women also charted the phases of their cycles using at-home fertility monitors that detect hormone levels indicating ovulation.
It was found that as oestrogen levels rise, high-density lipoproteins (HDL - good cholesterol) also rises, peaking at ovulation. Only 5 percent participants had cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dL, which is borderline high-risk for heart disease. But, cholesterol levels among 20 percent of the women reached 200 mg/dL at least once. In addition, some obese women over 40 had higher fluctuation in cholesterol levels than did the rest of the group.
At the same time, as oestrogen levels increased, total and low-density lipoproteins (LDL - bad cholesterol), as well as levels of triglycerides, fell. This decline began a couple of days after oestrogen levels peaked at ovulation. In addition, levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were lowest just before the start of menstruation.
The study shows that hormones play an important role in women's lives on all levels, including basic things like the lipid profile. The menstrual cycle plays a very important role in women's overall health. Since lipid profile levels vary across the menstrual cycle, cyclic variations may need to be considered in the clinical management of the cholesterol levels in women.
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