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Abstract

Menopause refers to a non-pathological condition, wherein there is cessation of menstruation for at least one year. The age of natural menopause in India is 46.2 ± 4.9 years. [1] Research studies show that in urban cities like Pondicherry, more than one-third of the post-menopausal women are having a poor quality of life. [2] There is impaired urogenital, vasomotor and cognitive symptoms, caused due to decreased estrogen levels in the body. This estrogen deficient state puts post-menopausal women at a higher risk of cardiovascular events. [3] Also, sympathovagal imbalance is observed in post-menopausal women with increased sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic activity which adds to the cardiovascular risk. [4] Heart rate variability is a sensitive measure of sympathovagal imbalance. [4] It is found that there is a decline in heart rate variability in post-menopausal women. [5] Recent study shows that post-menopausal state also offers higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome with an increased level of insulin resistance. [6] This can also be indicated by deranged lipid profile in them, such as higher triglyceride and total cholesterol. [7] With a myriad of symptoms to deal with, there are fewer treatment alternatives for post-menopausal women.