Understanding how aging and the vaginal microbiome affect GSM and its prevention or treatment
Official title: Methods to Test the Role of Age-related Lifestyle and Vaginal Microenvironment Changes and the Prevention, Treatment, and Progression of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11374959 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how aging-related changes in the vaginal environment and 16S microbial communities influence genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and how to prevent or treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $600,428 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG069915-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374959 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Postmenopausal women experiencing GSM symptoms who may benefit from non-hormonal or microbiome-targeted approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Women without GSM or those not interested in microbiome-based strategies may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
As a patient facing GSM, you may benefit from new approaches that target the vaginal microbiome and immune/metabolite changes that come with menopause. The project uses sequencing of vaginal bacteria and analysis of how these microbes interact with metabolites and immune signals to understand GSM better. Researchers will explore how older age and shifts in Lactobacillus levels relate to GSM symptoms and treatment options beyond hormones. The findings could lead to safer, more effective ways to prevent or alleviate GSM symptoms for women who cannot or prefer not to use hormone therapy. The study is designed to translate microbiome insights into practical strategies for managing GSM in everyday care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could yield new, microbiome-informed strategies to prevent or treat GSM and improve quality of life for postmenopausal women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows associations between vaginal microbiota and GSM, but translating this into effective treatments remains ongoing and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shardell, Michelle Denise — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Shardell, Michelle Denise
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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.