Understanding how vaginal estrogen therapy helps prevent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women
Official title: Mechanisms of Successful Vaginal Estrogen Prophylaxis for Postmenopausal Women with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: Urogenital Microbiota and Host Immune Responses
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10900706 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some postmenopausal women find relief from recurring urinary tract infections when using vaginal estrogen therapy, focusing on the good bacteria in their bodies and how estrogen affects their immune system, to help improve treatment options for those dealing with these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $310,299 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK130856-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10900706 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postmenopausal women who experience recurrent urinary tract infections and are considering or currently using vaginal estrogen therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have recurrent urinary tract infections or are not postmenopausal may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates why some postmenopausal women benefit from vaginal estrogen therapy (VET) in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) while others do not. It focuses on two main areas: the role of the urogenital microbiota, particularly the presence of beneficial Lactobacillus species, and the host immune responses influenced by estrogen. By analyzing these factors, the study aims to identify the mechanisms that contribute to the effectiveness of VET, potentially leading to improved treatment strategies for women suffering from rUTIs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective prevention strategies for recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that vaginal estrogen therapy can reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections, but the specific mechanisms remain under investigation, making this research both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Handa, Victoria Lynn — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Handa, Victoria Lynn
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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.