Special Aspects of Cholesterol Metabolism in Women.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases due to arteriosclerosis are the most common causes of death and disability in both men and women. Hypercholesterolemia, a treatable risk factor, is often detected after a delay in women, and then inadequately treated. It is, therefore, important to know the sex-specific aspects of cholesterol metabolism and to address them specifically.

METHODS: We conducted a selective literature search in PubMed with particular attention to current guidelines.

RESULTS: In the population as a whole, the age-associated rise in serum cholesterol levels occurs approximately 10 years later in women than in men. Women are exposed to a higher cholesterol load than men at the beginning of their lives, and especially after menopause. This is correlated with a later, but nonetheless clinically relevant rise in the incidence of myocardial infarction in older women. Because women's LDL cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) levels rise after menopause, their lipid profiles should be re-evaluated at this time. Moreover, conditions that are specific to women such as polycystic ovary syndrome, contraception, and especially the phases of life-such as planning to become pregnant, pregnancy, and breastfeeding-need to be considered for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Sex-specific differences and cholesterol-associated risks are particularly pronounced in women with familial hypercholesterolemia (prevalence 1:250).

CONCLUSION: Lowering high cholesterol levels, especially in postmenopausal women, may prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases.