Creating a new treatment to improve vaginal health after menopause
Official title: Developing a nonsteroidal and nonhormonal agent that reverses menopause-related loss of genital epithelial integrity and function
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-10901049 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, non-hormonal treatment for postmenopausal women experiencing vaginal discomfort due to menopause, using a special peptide to help improve vaginal health and comfort over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $391,101 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AG082378-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10901049 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postmenopausal women experiencing symptoms of genitourinary syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not postmenopausal or do not experience symptoms related to genitourinary syndrome may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a nonsteroidal and nonhormonal treatment to address the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), which affects many postmenopausal women. The study aims to restore the integrity and function of genital epithelial tissue that deteriorates due to lower estrogen levels. By using a specially designed peptide administered intravaginally, the research will evaluate its effectiveness in improving vaginal health and safety over long-term use. The approach is based on previous findings that showed promise in animal models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer alternative treatment for postmenopausal women suffering from vaginal irritation and related symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar approaches in animal models, but this specific treatment is novel and untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cherpes, Thomas L. — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Cherpes, Thomas L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how vaginal tissue changes after menopause affect reproductive health
A research team is studying why the vaginal lining changes after menopause and how this affects health, with potential solutions to improve comfort and reduce infection risk for postmenopausal women.
-
Menopause, hormones, and Alzheimer’s disease: an in vivo perspective
This project explores how hormone therapy around menopause might influence the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in postmenopausal women.
-
PREMAP: Predictors of Menopause-Related Psychosis
A study to understand what factors predict psychosis that can occur during menopause, with a focus on women going through that transition.
-
How vaginal lipids, antioxidants, and protective molecules affect menopause-related genitourinary symptoms across races
Researchers are tracking vaginal and blood chemicals in postmenopausal women of different races to learn how lipid, antioxidant, and osmoprotectant molecules relate to genitourinary menopause symptoms.
-
Menopause, Hormone Therapy, and HIV Risk in Cervical M mucosa
This project looks at how menopause and menopause hormone therapy may change the immune guard in the cervix, potentially affecting HIV risk for aging women.
-
Menopause, brain health, and aging: how hormones shape risk for dementia
This project looks at how menopause and hormone therapy affect brain aging and dementia risk in women.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.