Total serum cholesterol levels, arterial blood pressures and body weights weremeasured in 539 Nigerian women (age 35–54y). Menopausal or postmenopausal women had higher serum cholesterol levels and arterial blood pressures than the age-matched premenopausal counterparts. Women in the high socio-economic class (HSC) had higher cholesterol levels than those in the low socio-economic class (LSC) of the same age. Since menopausal or postmenopausal women whether in LSC or in HSC were leaner than the age-matched premenopausal ones and 'yet had higher cholesterol levels, the difference in cholesterol level could be attributed to menopause.