Women’s health alert: 5 factors leading to high cholesterol

Hormonal changes

According to MedlinePlus, hormone fluctuations can increase cholesterol levels during perimenopause and menopause.

A decrease in estrogen is linked to higher total cholesterol. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), which reflects a woman’s ovarian reserve, also helps assess fertility. As menopause approaches, AMH levels decline, often coinciding with changes in cholesterol.

Hormonal changes can raise cholesterol levels, which may increase the risk of heart disease later in life.

Age

Cholesterol levels may rise with age because the body becomes less efficient at clearing cholesterol from the blood. This effect can be more pronounced in women due to aging and menopause.

Health conditions

The US National Institutes of Health notes that certain health conditions increase the risk of high cholesterol. In some cases, both the condition itself and the medications used to treat it can contribute. These include:

• Diabetes;

• Chronic kidney disease;

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV);

• Sleep apnea;

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS);

Living with these conditions does not automatically mean you will have high cholesterol. Lifestyle changes can help prevent it.

Lifestyle factors

Certain lifestyle habits contribute to high cholesterol in women, including:

• Diets high in saturated and trans fats;

• Stress;

• Physical inactivity;

• Alcohol consumption;

• Smoking;

• Overweight or obesity;

• Insufficient or poor-quality sleep.

Genetics

High cholesterol can also be hereditary. Genetic mutations can cause familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), leading to very high cholesterol levels that may increase with age if untreated.

Women with FH often have higher cholesterol levels than men due to delayed diagnosis. Although relatively rare, a family history can increase the risk of developing the condition.

Prevention

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent elevated cholesterol levels:

• Maintain a healthy weight – excess body fat affects cholesterol metabolism and makes it harder to eliminate from the body.

• Eat a balanced diet – include soluble fiber, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids.

• Exercise regularly – physical activity supports heart health and helps maintain a healthy weight.

• Prioritize sleep – 7–9 hours of sleep helps restore the heart and blood vessels and reduces the risk of heart disease.

• Manage stress – meditation, journaling, yoga, or deep breathing can help. Stress raises certain hormones, such as corticosteroids, which cause the body to produce more cholesterol.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.