Biochemistry of perimenopause and menopause - in-depth study on midlife crisis among rural women in Bengal.

Background: Menopause is the inevitable termination of reproductive life as a non-modifiable risk factor with aging in women having no or tangential to significant, even disabling symptoms. Objectives: To weigh up follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), fasting blood glucose (FBG), Two-hour postprandial glucose (2hr PPBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), and hemoglobin (Hb) levels among perimenopausal and menopausal women. Methods: An open-label analytical cross-sectional non-interventional study was conducted on 100 consecutive female patients from Rural Bengal in their perimenopausal and menopausal phases at the Departments of Biochemistry and Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary care teaching institute of eastern India from April to September 2024. Results: Mean FSH, LH, PRL, FPG, 2 hr PPBG, HbA1C, and Hb levels in 50 perimenopausal women were compared with 50 menopausal women. In the menopausal group, mean FSH and mean LH levels were higher, while mean PRL levels were lower compared to the perimenopausal group; differences were found highly significant. Mean FBG, mean 2 hr PPBG, mean, and mean Hb levels were higher among the menopausal group compared to premenopausal women; differences were found highly significant. Conclusions: In menopausal group mean FSH, LH, FBG, 2hr PPBG, HbA1C, and Hb levels were higher; mean PRL level was lower compared to women in the perimenopausal group; these information will definitely benefit practitioners of primary care and family medicine especially in the low and middle income countries.