Risk of Fatty Liver in Women Increases After Age 45

Illustration of menopause. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - Fatty liver often develops without being noticed because it does not show symptoms in the early stages. This condition occurs when fat accumulates in the liver and can trigger various serious metabolic disorders if not treated.

Interestingly, the risk of fatty liver is not only influenced by eating patterns, but also hormonal changes, especially in women.

Senior consultant of obstetrics and gynecology at MGM Malar, Chennai, India, Kanaga Lakshmi K, revealed that women tend to experience an increase in liver fat faster after entering the age of 45.

"After the age of 45, many women enter perimenopause or menopause, where estrogen levels decrease significantly. So, estrogen plays a very important protective role in how fat is distributed and metabolized," he explained.

He explained that estrogen hormones not only play a role in the reproductive system, but also regulate fat distribution in the body. When levels are low, there is a shift of fat from areas such as the hips and thighs to the abdomen and internal organs (visceral).

This change can trigger metabolic disorders, including worsening blood sugar control.

"Insulin resistance increases, and this in turn promotes fat deposition in the liver. This is why the risk of fatty liver increases sharply in women during perimenopause and after menopause," he said.

Furthermore, he emphasized that heart failure is often not detected because it does not cause clear symptoms at first. In fact, this condition can occur without significant weight gain, so it is often ignored.

As a result, many people focus more on fat that is physically visible, while fat buildup in internal organs, including the liver, escapes attention and is at risk of causing complications.

"Before menopause, women are relatively protected compared to men because of estrogen," he said.

However, after menopause, this protection decreases, so the risk of metabolic disorders increases.

"After menopause, the risk is not only equal but can even exceed that of men, increasing susceptibility to metabolic complications and cardiovascular disease," he said.

Even though there are no typical symptoms, some early signs can still be recognized, such as a swollen abdomen even though the weight is stable, prolonged fatigue, increased liver enzymes, and a history of conditions such as PCOS, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

He emphasized that fatty liver is not just a problem of the organ, but a warning sign for overall metabolic health, including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

To prevent it, it is recommended to apply a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a balanced diet high in protein, regularly doing strength training and aerobic exercise, maintaining an ideal body weight, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. Regular health check-ups are also important, especially for those who have risk factors.