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Estrogen Critical Window

Meaning

The Estrogen Critical Window refers to a specific, time-sensitive period in a woman’s postmenopausal life, typically spanning the perimenopausal and early postmenopausal years, during which the initiation of estrogen therapy may yield the most favorable long-term health outcomes. This concept suggests that the timing of hormone intervention relative to the final menstrual period significantly influences the balance of benefits and risks. The hypothesis posits that administering estrogen early may confer protection to healthy vasculature and brain tissue. Conversely, initiating therapy later may pose risks to systems already compromised by years of estrogen deficiency.