Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 2288-6478
eISSN 2288-6761
    J Korean Soc Menopause. 2011 Dec;17(3):127-135. Korean.
    Published online Dec 31, 2011.
    https://doi.org/10.6118/jksm.2011.17.3.127
    Copyright © 2011 by The Korean Society of Menopause
    Review

    Metabolic Syndrome Emerging from Menopause

    Myoungseok Han, M.D., Ph.D.
      • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
    • Corresponding author (Email: hmsobgy@dau.ac.kr )
    Received June 07, 2011; Accepted July 08, 2011.

    Abstract

    Metabolic syndrome (MS) in women, which is characterized with central obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, is associated with high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. Menopause may be related with the prevalence of MS and increased CVD risk through effects on central obesity, lipid metabolism, and prothrombotic state. The emergence of these risk factors may be a direct result from the failure of estrogen production. Alternatively, metabolic changes with estrogen deficiency may be the indirect cause of those risks. Additionally, most women may have a few chances of developing MS during their life, such as pregnancy-related weight gain, hormonal contraceptive use and polycystic ovary syndrome. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude that menopause itself can be the cause of MS. Representative managements of MS are life style modification and use of lipid lowering medication. This article will review the relationship between the development of MS and menopause. A better understanding on the metabolic changes with menopause will help identify women with risk factors of CVD and provide appropriate interventions

    Keywords
    Cardiovascular disease; Menopause; Metabolic syndrome X

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    Women's Health Initiative CEE/MPA study graph of incidence of diabetes with time. CEE/MPA: conjugated equine estrogen/medroxyprogesterone acetate, CI: confidence interval, HR: hazard ratio.

    Fig. 2
    Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and risk factors according to the hormone therapy groups. MetS: metabolic syndrome, WC: waist circumference, BP: blood pressure, TG: triglyceride, HDL: high density lipoprotein cholesterol, HT: hormone therapy.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Different diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome

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    MeSH Terms
    Cardiovascular Diseases
    Dyslipidemias
    Estrogens
    Female
    Humans
    Insulin Resistance
    Life Style
    Lipid Metabolism
    Menopause
    Metabolic Syndrome X
    Obesity, Abdominal
    Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    Prevalence
    Risk Factors
    Weight Gain
    Metrics
    Share
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