Variations in lipid levels according to menstrual cycle phase: clinical implications

Abstract

Understanding variations in lipoprotein cholesterol levels throughout the menstrual cycle is important because there may be clinical implications regarding the appropriate timing of measurement and implications on the design and interpretation of studies in women of reproductive age. Our objective was to review the evidence comparing lipoprotein cholesterol levels throughout the menstrual cycle among premenopausal women. Overall, lipoprotein cholesterol levels were observed to vary in response to changing estrogen levels. Taken together, the evidence suggests that total cholesterol and LDL-C tend to be highest during the follicular phase and to decline during the luteal phase, with HDL C highest around ovulation. Based on these findings, the menstrual cycle phase should be taken into account when evaluating lipoprotein cholesterol levels among reproductive-aged women. Measuring cholesterol levels during menses is recommended for consistent comparisons as this phase can be more reliably identified than other phases, although women within National Cholesterol Education Program acceptable ranges, but near the boundaries when tested during menses, should undergo additional tests.

Effect of ovulation on serum cholesterol in women of reproductive age group

“…Present study findings are comparable with the study conducted by Mumford et al 16 The following studies differ from present study…”

The identification of two subgroups of obese women with differing endometrial proliferation levels: potential consequences in the development of endometrial cancer

“…A connection between metabolic prolife and circulating-estrogen levels is already established and thus, it is more than feasible to speculate an overlap between metabolically healthy, but obese patients and obese patients clustered by endometrial proliferation. 19 Given that our data may further define the obesity phenotype in regards to the risk for type-I EC development, our definition of O HP women could have a substantial public health value. New tools to identify obese women who are more susceptible to develop EC could eventually lead to early interventions and reduce the need for highly invasive surgery, which will impair the woman's reproductive capacity and reduce her quality of life.…”

Evaluating Changes in Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake after Receiving Personal FADS1 Genetic Information: A Randomized Nutrigenetic Intervention

“…Individuals were ineligible to participate in the study if they regularly consumed omega-3 FA supplements and/or fish more than two times per week. Baseline and Final (week 12) study visits were scheduled when participants were menstruating to minimize variability in lipid levels within an individual, as recommended by Mumford et al [24]. Therefore, participants who reported having a regular menstrual cycle in the online screening questionnaire and would expect their period (approximately) every 28 days were eligible for the study.…”