Menopause & cholesterol

[Lifestyle167]

Hello I am new here but would like to know if any of you ladies had elevated cholesterol levels going through the menopause, and if taking oestrogen helped lower your cholesterol? My levels have gone up to 8.3 I’m reluctant to take statins and am considering the new transdermal HRT. Just wondered if anyone had results this way? Tia.

[Hidden]

Have you been prescribed Statins for the high Cholesterol? I have no real idea if the two are linked but have heard it can rise during the menopause (my wife is currently going through it and is using transdermal HRT). however I would urge you not to stop the statins 8.3 is very high and you need to discuss it with your GP before doing anything else.

[Lifestyle167 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying. I have not started statins yet. My LDL is 6.5 ( bad cholesterol)

[Hidden in reply to Lifestyle167]

That's OK, I have learnt a lot about the menopause lately, I am staggered how little help there seems to be for a lot of women so your post caught my eye. Did you see the Davina McCall program last week it was quite interesting.

[Lifestyle167 in reply to Hidden]

I did thanks that’s how I linked it. GPs really need educated on the latest treatments. I am waiting on my GP getting advice from the menopause clinic and lipid specialists, my Dad had a triple bypass at 58 I don’t want to go down that road, but also do not like taking meds with other horrible side effects. Thank you for your replies I sympathise with your wife.

[Hidden in reply to Lifestyle167]

Thank you, shes getting there slowly, the patches have made quite a difference in the 2 months she has been on them. As I told the pharmacist, money well spent !!

[Bingo99]

You have just possibly explained why my doctor wants to speak to me about cholesterol and liver function after my latest blood test - as I have been thinking all my other symptoms are menopause related. I have also been doing Slimming World for the last 18/20 months which is low fat so was a little puzzled when told he wants to speak to me.

[Lifestyle167 in reply to Bingo99]

Interesting! I fear diet has little to do with it as I’ve just lost 25lbs too.

[Peony4575]

Hi I have been on transdermal HRT for 20 years without problems so far . My cholesterol didn’t go up because I started taking it as soon as I got peri menopausal symptoms

[Lifestyle167 in reply to Peony4575]

Thanks for that I suspect I’m right do you take progesterone too can I ask?

[Peony4575 in reply to Lifestyle167]

If you have a uterus you must . Mirena because less systemic action of the progesterone . I have also had a benecol no added sugar yoghurt drink for decades which lowers your bad LDL cholesterol and increases your HDL ( though they are humming and hawing over whether that is a good thing again. ) My understanding is it’s the ratio rather than the absolute numbers which matter to them these days but they change their minds so often who knows

[Lifestyle167 in reply to Peony4575]

Yes I was wondering if the mirena would be the best option. Any side effects from that?

[Peony4575 in reply to Lifestyle167]

I have had them for 25 years changed every 4 . Only side effect so far is a lecture from the doctor each time about the length of time I have been on HRT 😇

[Lifestyle167]

Brilliant thanks

[Suze43]

So pleased to see others are questioning the importance of oestrogen in relation to heart health. My AF started post menopause and, as I don’t have any of the classic causes (overweight, high blood pressure, other underlying conditions etc), I am convinced there is a hormone link. Even on bisoprolol (which I hate) to manage the heart rate, hot flushes send it rocketing up.Hope to hear from more women on this forum who have made this connection.

[Lifestyle167 in reply to Suze43]

Definitely I would love more women to comment on their experience. I’ve lost 25lbs and my BP not high and still my cholesterol has risen, there definitely is a connection so now looking at HRT transdermal.