How menopause affects cholesterol levels and means to manage it

ahsan65@gmail.comMay 28, 2025

0 0 3 minutes read

How menopause affects cholesterol levels and means to manage it

If lifestyle changes are not enough to manage your cholesterol, your health professional could recommend medication.

Statins

Statins, such as atorvastatin (lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor), are the most commonly prescribed drugs for hypotment. They work by slowing cholesterol production by your body and helping your liver eliminate LDL from your blood circulation.

Some people may experience side effects such as muscle pain, liver damage or an increase in blood sugar when taking statins. The increase in blood sugar could lead to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, so it is important to discuss the risks with your doctor before choosing to take statins.

Klodas notes that for people with no history of heart problems, stroke or other medical conditions, tests can help determine whether hypocholesterolic drugs are necessary.

“I often use a Calcium scan of the coronary artery [a computer tomography (CT) scan that measures calcium deposits in the heart’s arteries] To determine if a menopausic woman must be placed on a statin, “she explains.” In general, everything except a score of 0 pushes me in the sense of prescribing a statine, “she adds.

Other cholesterol drugs

Other hypocholesterolic drugs include:

Cholesterol selective absorption inhibitorsLike the Ezetimibe (Zetia). Side effects include stomach pain, diarrhea, fatigue and muscle pain.
PCSK9 inhibitors, As evolocumab (Repatha), which are injected into the blood circulation. The side effects are swollen, itching or pain at the injection site.
Fibrates, Like fenofibrate (antara) or gemfibrozil (Lopid). Nausea, stomach pain and muscle pain are common side effects.
Niacin (niacor or niaspan) Rinse of the face, itching, stomach aches and the increase in blood sugar are possible side effects.
Sequesters of biliary acid, Like cholestyramine (prevalleity). Side effects tend to be gastrointestinal problems such as constipation.

PCSK9 inhibitors are used for people with heart disease and cannot take statins or to treat family hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder that causes high levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol). Others, such as Ezetimibe, are often used in combination with statins to further reduce cholesterol levels.

Hormone replacement heritage

HRT can have a low impact on cholesterol levels, but it is unlikely to bring these levels to what they were before menopause, Klodas explains. For this reason, HRT should mainly be taken into account to manage the symptoms of menopause rather than for cholesterol levels, she adds.

Hormonotherapy is not intended to prevent heart disease, according to Dweck, although women who start hormone therapy (MHT) menopause before the age of 60 and within 10 years of menopause can see certain health health benefits.

If you are considering hormone therapy, discuss the advantages and potential risks with your health care provider.

Supplements

Certain supplements can help support a healthy cholesterol level during menopause, although they do not replace changes in lifestyle or prescribed drugs. The addition of omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil, to your routine can help reduce triglycerides and stimulate HDL cholesterol, although it can also increase LDL slightly, says Dweck.

Here are some supplements that can improve cholesterol level:

Stanols and plant sterols: These natural compounds found in plants can reduce LDL cholesterol, but they can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea.
Ground linen seeds: Can help reduce LDL cholesterol while providing fibers and omega-3.
Berberine: This natural compound found in plants can reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, but can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea and nausea.
Green tea extract: Can help reduce LDL cholesterol.
Garlic: Can drop cholesterol slightly, although the search is mixed. It can cause digestive problems and can interact with anticoagulants.

Always speak with your health care provider before starting any supplement, as some supplements can interact with medicines or have side effects.

The point to take away

The decrease in estrogens, muscle loss and weight gain during menopause can affect cholesterol levels.
Lipoproteins with low density (LDL), triglycerides and total cholesterol tend to increase after menopause, while high density lipoprotein levels (HDL) can decrease, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Healthy cardiac habits such as a Mediterranean style diet, healthy weight and regular exercise can help manage cholesterol levels.
If lifestyle changes are not sufficient, drugs and statins can be used to manage cholesterol. Discuss the advantages and risks with your health care provider.