Vaginal estradiol vs moisturizer to help GSM symptoms and HIV-related changes in menopausal women with HIV
Official title: Vaginal estradiol versus moisturizer to improve postmenopausal vaginal aging symptoms, dysbiosis and markers of HIV latency reversal in menopausal women living with HIV
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11411827 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether vaginal estradiol or a moisturizer can ease menopause symptoms and improve vaginal health for women living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $706,734 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG102277-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411827 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are menopausal women living with HIV who experience GSM symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience symptom relief or changes in HIV-related biomarkers.
What this research studies
Postmenopausal women living with HIV often experience genitourinary symptoms and a disrupted vaginal microbiome that may influence HIV activity. The study will compare vaginal estradiol to a moisturizer to see which better relieves GSM symptoms and reduces dysbiosis and markers of HIV latency reversal. Researchers will collect samples and use genomic techniques to understand how treatments affect the vaginal environment and HIV-related biology. The goal is to identify a safe, effective approach to manage GSM while potentially impacting HIV-related outcomes. Participation involves typical clinical study procedures and sample collection over the study period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could relieve GSM symptoms and improve vaginal health in menopausal women with HIV, with possible favorable effects on HIV-related biomarkers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in HIV-negative women showed estradiol can improve GSM symptoms and reduce dysbiosis; however, data in women with HIV are limited and this study aims to build on that.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murphy, Kerry Jeanne — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Murphy, Kerry Jeanne
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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.