Metabolic and endocrine changes in climacteric women

The climacteric period is associated with gradual reduction of sex hormones secretion. Substantial evidence indicates that estrogen deficiency contributes to the long-term metabolic consequences. A range of age-related changes (e.g. a reduction in growth hormone (GH), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), melatonin) may be involved in aggravation of described abnormalities. Our studies on plasma satiety and appetite-stimulating neuropeptides indicate that the modification of appetite preferences contributes to overconsumption of fat in postmenopausal women. It is known that 60% of postmenopausal women have central body obesity. This trend obviously favours insulin resistance, an atherogenic plasma lipid-lipoprotein profile, abnormal blood coagulation and the increase in prevalence of type 2 diabetes. This cluster of metabolic abnormalities may be described as menopausal metabolic syndrome. Importantly, the alterations that women suffer in the climacteric period are assumed to be a risk factor leading to a 26-30% increase in death due to coronary heart disease in the postmenopausal group. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.