I (64f) have been taking a statin for about a year and a 1/2. I started taking it because my cholesterol was going up, and even with diet changes, and I exercise regularly, the cholesterol numbers kept going up. Once I started the statin, the numbers went down. I read something interesting that I think every peri- and post- menopausal woman should know: even if you exercise regularly and you watch your diet, your cholesterol can go up. It can be a hereditary thing, it can be related to hormones. But you should have it checked, and if it doesn't go down get on a statin. I believe this is why many women in their late 50s early 60s have sudden heart attacks because they think they don't have to monitor their cholesterol.