Plasma estradiol and lipid profile in perimenopausal women.

This study was conducted to examine the estradiol level and plasma lipid profile in perimenopausal women. The estradiol and HDL levels were higher and LDL levels lower in premenopausal women than in postmenopausal women of the same age group. Higher HDL and lower LDL levels in premenopausal women are likely to protect them against atherosclerosis, and the difference may be casually related to estradiol levels.