Understanding how vaginal tissue changes after menopause affect reproductive health
Official title: Using basic science and clinical research to define the molecular basis of vaginal epithelial dysfunction that negatively impacts reproductive health after menopause
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11570238 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $393,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AG099541-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11570238 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Postmenopausal women experiencing genitourinary symptoms or researchers studying vaginal epithelial health may be suited for related studies and future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without postmenopausal vaginal symptoms or interest in vaginal epithelial research are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
Postmenopausal women often suffer from GSM, causing symptoms like vaginal dryness and pain with sex. This grant explores the molecular and clinical links between hormonal changes, cell adhesion in vaginal tissue, and barrier function, using both basic science and human data. By examining how estrogen loss changes desmosomes and signaling pathways, researchers aim to identify targets to restore tissue health. The project builds on prior findings that topical estrogen improves the tissue and that certain signaling molecules respond to estrogen to support barrier integrity. If successful, the work could inform safer, more effective strategies for maintaining vaginal health in aging women.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to safer, more effective treatments to preserve vaginal health and reduce symptoms for postmenopausal women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed topical estrogen can restore epithelial integrity in animal models and human tissue, supporting potential translational impact.
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.
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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.