Does Perimenopause Bring More Than the Last Period?

Final menstrual period was associated with rapid increases in serum lipids.

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) become more prominent as women age, but whether this rise in CVD risk is a function of ovarian aging or of chronological aging is unknown. Investigators followed a diverse subgroup of 1054 participants (mean age at baseline, 47) in the prospective Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) for a mean of 10 years. The final menstrual period (FMP) was defined as the date of the last period before 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea.

Participants experienced their FMP a mean of 3 years after study entry. Within 1 year before and after the FMP, mean LDL cholesterol levels increased sharply. Beyond 1 year after the FMP, mean LDL cholesterol levels remained high and did not increase further. Tota…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)