Lipid Profile of Postmenopausal Women in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the influence of menopause on lipid profile in women. The serum lipid profile consisting of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and atherogenic index (TC/HDL-C ratio) of 51 postmenopausal women and 43 premenopausal women were estimated colorimetrically using the enzymatic method. The subjects were arranged in two different age ranges of 25 - 45 years and above 45 years of age. The premenopausal and postmenopausal women were recruited and classified using a comprehensive questionnaire. The total cholesterol, LDL-C and atherogenic index of post menopausal women and women above 45 years of age were significantly (p< 0.05) higher and HDL-C lower than those of the premenopausal women and women between 25-45 years of age. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in both TG and VLDL-C levels in both the postmenopausal and premenopausal women and also in women in the specified age ranges of 25-45 years and above 45 years. There is therefore evidence of a protective effect of endogenous estrogen against arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease, as evidenced by increased HDL-C levels and reduced LDL-C and atherogenic index of the premenopausal women.