Can estrogen protect hearts in early menopause? new study aims to find out
NCT ID NCT06866119
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This observational study will follow 45 women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)—a condition that causes early menopause—who are starting estrogen replacement therapy. Researchers will measure heart health markers before and after 6 months of treatment and compare them to healthy women without POI. The goal is to see if estrogen therapy improves blood vessel function and other metabolic signs related to heart disease.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- estrogen replacement therapy (transdermal 17beta-estradiol and progesterone)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide stronger evidence that estrogen therapy helps protect the heart in women with early menopause.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small observational study (45 participants) that does not test a new treatment—it only measures existing therapy effects. Results may not apply to all women with POI.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 45 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The study population is comprised of women newly diagnosed with POI (within 6 months) who are planning to clinically initiate hormonal replacement with 100mcg transdermal 17beta-estradiol twice weekly and micro-ionized progesterone (either 200mg cyclically or 100mg daily). For comparison, healthy women without POI matched 1:1 on age, BMI, and PREVENT™ risk score category (low-high risk) will also be studied.
- Ages
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30 to 40 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion criteria (I): * female sex * age 30-40 * CASE PARTICIPANTS ONLY: clinically documented POI diagnosis within 6 months * CASE PARTICIPANTS ONLY: planning to clinically initiate 100mcg transdermal 17beta-estradiol twice weekly and micro-ionized progesterone (either 100mg daily or 200mg cyclically) * CONTROL PARTICIPANTS ONLY: regular menstrual cycles every 21-35 days Exclusion criteria (E): * CASE PARTICIPANTS ONLY: genetic POI etiology * CASE PARTICIPANTS ONLY: any prior initiation of ERT * systemic estrogen, progesterone or testosterone therapy within the past 6 months (including contraception, except for locally acting intrauterine devices - IUDs) * lipid lowering therapy within the past 6 months * use of antihypertensive medication within the past 6 months * current treatment with prescription, systemic (oral, IV, or IM) steroids or anti-inflammatory/immune suppressant medical therapies (excluding topical therapies, UV therapy, ASA-derivative therapies, or NSAIDS) for autoimmune/inflammatory diseases (psoriasis, RA, IBD, lupus), post-transplant care, asthma, or pain syndromes * use of oral steroids or prescription oral anti-inflammatory/immune suppressant medication for \>7 days within the past 1 month * use of IV or IM steroids or IV or IM anti-inflammatory/immune suppressant medication within the past 3 months * self-reported history of breast and/or estrogen dependent malignancy * self-reported history of deep vein thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism or stroke * self-reported severe liver disease such as cirrhosis * self-reported hypercoagulable disorder * uncontrolled hypertension at baseline Visit #1- systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥180 and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥110 * tobacco use within 6 months * self-reported history of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization or diabetes as a CVD risk equivalent * stable or unstable angina * self-reported history of heart failure * pregnancy or breastfeeding * concurrent enrollment in conflicting research study
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Could a Blood-Stimulating drug revive failing ovaries?
- Frozen ovary tissue reimplanted to reverse infertility after cancer
- Frozen ovary tissue awakened to restore fertility in women with early menopause
- New program aims to ease menopause for young cancer survivors
- New heart test could predict future attacks