Iron and menopause: does increased iron affect the health of postmenopausal women?

Antioxid Redox Signal. 2009 Dec;11(12):2939-43. doi: 10.1089/ars.2009.2576.

Abstract

Estrogen deficiency has been regarded as the main causative factor in menopausal symptoms and diseases. Here, we show that although estrogen decreases by 90%, a concurrent but inverse change occurs in iron levels during menopausal transition. For example, levels of serum ferritin are increased by two- to threefold from before menopause to after menopause. This observation has led us to hypothesize that, in addition to estrogen deficiency, increased iron as a result of menopause could be a risk factor affecting the health of postmenopausal women. Further studies on iron and menopause are clinically relevant and may provide novel therapeutic treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Postmenopause*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Iron