Myths vs facts: hsCRP and menopause

Myths vs facts: hsCRP and menopause. hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a non-specific inflammatory marker used in cardiovascular risk assessment. Myth: Elevated hsCRP directly indicates menopause or reliably diagnoses menopausal symptoms. Fact: Menopause is associated with increased inflammatory markers like hsCRP, driven by estrogen decline and changes in body composition. However, hsCRP is not validated for diagnosing menopause – the gold standard remains FSH, estradiol, and clinical history. Moreover, hsCRP is influenced by many factors: infections, smoking, obesity, exercise, and medications. An isolated elevated hsCRP during menopause has no specific diagnostic value. Evidence comes from epidemiological studies (moderate strength), not from randomized controlled trials for diagnostic use. In practice, hsCRP may be useful in cardiovascular screening but does not replace hormonal testing. Caution: avoid self-interpretation and unnecessary anxiety. Current guidelines do not recommend routine hsCRP testing for menopause diagnosis.