Abstract:

Menopause means ovarian failure and changes in sex hormone levels, which lead to a series of menopause-related symptoms, including short-term vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, neuropsychiatric symptoms, etc. Menopause also results in degenerative diseases in main organs and systems including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), osteoporosis, disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, and urogenital atrophy. Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of CVD,which is the leading cause of mortality and an important cause of disability in middle-aged and old women. Homocysteine is a sulfhydryl-containing amino acid and an intermediate metabolite of the methionine cycle. It is closely related to the occurrence and development of CVD and is considered as an independent risk factor of CVD. In recent years, studies have shown that Hcy levels and the incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) are higher in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. The elevated Hcy level after menopause is associated with higher risks of CVD, and Hcy may play an important role in postmenopausal CVD. Serum Hcy levels may be regulated by sex hormones such as estrogen. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can reduce Hcy levels in women and may have a positive effect on decreasing the risks of postmenopausal CVD.

Key words: Homocysteine, Menopause, Hyperhomocysteinemia, Cardiovascular diseases, Gonadal steroid hormones, Menopause hormone therapy