Menopause and its relationship with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

The last few years have witnessed a significant growth in the life expectancy of Cuban women, reaching 80.02 years, a period of greater risk for the coexistence of the many factors that make up metabolic syndrome. This event, coupled with the fact that the average life of women is lengthened an average of 25 to 30 years after menopause, highlights the importance of providing women with the best quality of life possible. Villa Clara is one of the most aged provinces of the country and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women –it presents a decade earlier than in men for several reasons, including the possible protective effect exerted by estrogen on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, health professionals are required to remain updated in the skills needed to give them an optimal service. This article aims to provide an overview of the developments on the influence of the menopausal transition and the onset of metabolic syndrome in this period. It was concluded that the transition to menopause, and the hormonal profile that characterizes it, together with the aging phenomena, significantly increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. This syndrome, in turn, is a clinical condition that is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.