Human Research Coordination

The endothelium is the inner lining of the blood vessels, which releases substances to help control blood vessel function. With advancing age, blood vessel function declines and cardiovascular disease risk increases. It has recently been shown that mortality from cardiovascular disease is increased in women aged 35-54 years, which is the time of when women are approaching and transitioning through menopause. It is unclear what contributes to this increased mortality rate, and is a significant problem for women’s health. The goal of this study is to determine how estrogen impacts blood vessel function.

We will recruit Peri-menopausal women (ages 40-58) that will be classified as either Early Peri or Late Peri based on changes in menstrual cycle length.
Exclusion criteria: Women who are pregnant or are planning on becoming pregnant, are breast feeding, have a history of cardiac disease, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, cancer, liver disease, have a body mass index >30 or 140/90 mmHg will be excluded. Women with diabetes, neurological disease, autoimmune disorders, have had a hysterectomy will not participate in this study. Women using exogenous hormones (birth control, hormone replacement therapy) within the past 3 months will be excluded. Women with a latex allergy will be excluded, as will women that have had an abnormal GYN exam in the past year. Women who have been hospitalized as a result of contracting COVID-19 will be excluded.

Please review study details in the link and click Get in Touch to schedule a screening call.