Skip to main content

Critical Window Hormone Therapy

Meaning

Critical Window Hormone Therapy is a clinical strategy that posits the timing of hormone replacement initiation relative to the onset of deficiency is a crucial determinant of long-term therapeutic efficacy and safety. This concept is most often applied to menopausal hormone therapy, suggesting that starting treatment within a specific, relatively short time frame after the final menstrual period maximizes the benefits, particularly concerning cardiovascular and neurocognitive protection. Intervention outside of this optimal window may yield diminished benefits or potentially introduce greater risks, especially in older individuals with established subclinical pathology.