4Endocrine System
Many glands in the body need cholesterol to produce hormones, such as cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen. In turn, these hormones may have an effect on the levels of cholesterol in the body. Some studies have shown that levels of estrogen increase during the menstrual cycle of women. Levels of LDL cholesterol go down, while levels of HDL cholesterol rise. That’s why the risk for heart disease tends to be higher in women after menopause, which causes a decline in estrogen levels. [4]
