What role does hsCRP play in menopause?

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a well-established marker of systemic inflammation. During menopause, hsCRP levels often rise due to estrogen decline, which promotes a pro-inflammatory state. This increase is thought to contribute to the elevated cardiovascular risk observed in postmenopausal women. However, hsCRP is not a diagnostic tool for menopause itself; it can be influenced by obesity, smoking, infections, and other conditions. Evidence comes from observational studies linking hormonal changes to inflammatory markers. While hsCRP may be useful for cardiovascular risk assessment in postmenopausal women, it should not be used in isolation. Caveat: a single hsCRP measurement is insufficient to determine menopausal status or guide therapy. The evidence level is human-moderate, as the association is well-documented but not causal in a clinical trial sense. Interpretation requires integration with other risk factors and clinical context.