Could estrogen patch reverse liver damage in postmenopausal women?

NCT ID NCT04833140

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 04, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This trial tests whether an estradiol patch can reduce liver fat and scarring in postmenopausal women with NASH, a progressive form of fatty liver disease. The study enrolls women aged 45-70 with NASH or fatty liver, giving them either a daily estradiol patch or a placebo for a period. Researchers will measure changes in liver fat, fibrosis, and related markers to see if replacing estrogen helps combat the disease.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: estradiol patch
What this could lead to: If effective, estrogen replacement could become a treatment to slow or reverse liver damage in postmenopausal women with NASH.
What could go wrong: The trial is small (50 participants) and early-stage, so results may not apply broadly. Estrogen therapy carries risks like blood clots and breast cancer, which must be weighed.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

NASH - NONALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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