Hormone therapy for menopause in women living with HIV

Hormone Therapy for Peri- and Postmenopausal Women with HIV (HoT)

NIH-funded research Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11171780

This trial tests whether hormone therapy (skin estrogen plus oral progesterone) reduces hot flashes and night sweats in peri- and early postmenopausal women living with HIV.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11171780 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be randomly assigned in a double-blind, placebo-controlled 2x2 crossover trial of 80 peri- and early postmenopausal women living with HIV to receive transdermal estrogen plus oral progesterone or matching placebos. The study tracks how hormone therapy changes the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats and uses tests and questionnaires to look at thinking, mood, sleep, and quality of life. Blood tests will measure markers of bone and cardiometabolic health and inflammation to see if hormone therapy affects those risks. The trial will also measure effects on the HIV reservoir using a specialized EDITS assay.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Peri- and early postmenopausal women living with HIV who are bothered by hot flashes and night sweats and can attend study visits.

Not a fit: People who are not peri- or postmenopausal, people without HIV, or anyone with contraindications to hormone therapy (for example a history of estrogen-sensitive cancer or blood clots) may not benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce hot flashes and night sweats and improve mood, sleep, bone and heart health for women with HIV during menopause.

How similar studies have performed: Hormone therapy is a proven treatment for hot flashes in women without HIV, but it has not previously been tested in women living with HIV.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.