As women enter perimenopause and menopause, one of the most common and confusing lab changes is a rise in cholesterol. Total cholesterol increases. LDL often rises. Sometimes triglycerides shift. And many women are told the same thing:

“You need a statin.”

But before we medicate a number, we need to understand what is happening biologically: This is not random. It is not a sudden moral failure of diet. And it is not simply “aging.” There is physiology behind it.

Let’s walk through it carefully and transparently.

A new large-scale study published in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society, is helping clarify an important question many women ask: Is hormone therapy safe and effective after age 65?

Hormone therapy (HT) remains one of the most effective treatments for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Current guidelines have traditionally recommended starting therapy before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset. However, real-world experience shows that many women continue to have significant symptoms well beyond age 65 — and some begin therapy later.

This new study followed more than 83,000 women over a 22-year period and examined health outcomes in those who started or continued hormone therapy after age 65.

What is L-theanine?

L-theanine is an amino acid found naturally in tea leaves (especially green tea). It’s best known for supporting relaxation without heavy sedation—often described as a calm, steady, “I can still think” kind of support.

Mechanistically, studies suggest L-theanine can influence brain activity associated with relaxation (including alpha wave activity) and may support a calmer stress response in some situations. One placebo-controlled crossover study in moderately stressed adults found a single 200 mg dose was associated with changes consistent with a calming response (including frontal alpha power and some stress markers) during an acute stress challenge.

Learn why whole-food protein matters for metabolic health, GLP-1 therapy, and midlife wellness—and how simple swaps support muscle, blood sugar, and energy.