Menopause and Metabolic Syndrome

A woman’s life is challenged by a series of events as she enters her fifth decade of life. While menopause is a natural part of aging, a significant effect of natural aging in women is the depletion of sex steroid hormones that may make hormone-responsive tissues such as the brain, bone, and the cardiovascular system more susceptible to diseases. At menopause there is significant increase risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MFFLD), and metabolic syndrome (MetS).One critical aspect of menopause that has gained attention in recent years is its potential association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and MetS being identified as good predictor of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), coronary artery disease (CAD), and breast cancer in postmenopausal woman. The challenge is to understand its pathogenesis and to identify effective measures to prevent it either at the population level or at the individual level in any of the country/region. In this chapter, we will explore the relationship between menopause and metabolic syndrome, understanding the underlying mechanisms, and discuss potential preventive and management strategies to promote women’s health during this transitional phase.