Oxytocin in postmenopausal and premenopausal women
Official title: Circulating Oxytocin and Its Clinical Correlates in Postmenopausal Women Compared With Premenopausal Controls - The OxyMENO Study
Run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · NCT07742124 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will test whether cumulative endogenous neurophysin I, a surrogate for oxytocin, differs over a month between premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Basel, Canton of Basel-City) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 20, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07742124 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are healthy premenopausal women aged 18-35 with regular cycles and postmenopausal women at least 2 years past menopause, not using hormonal contraception or therapy in the last 3 months.
✕Probably not a fit
Some participants may not show a detectable difference in NP-I release between groups or may not experience any direct individual benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study compares the total release of neurophysin I, a surrogate marker for oxytocin, over a one-month period in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Repeated measurements will be taken at defined physiological time points to capture oxytocin system regulation under cyclic and non-cyclic hormonal conditions. The goal is to see if the area under the curve for NP-I release is lower in postmenopausal participants. The study discusses the broader roles of oxytocin in social, metabolic, and cardiovascular physiology and how sex hormones may influence its regulation. Enrollment is limited to adult women and excludes those with pregnancy, recent hormonal therapies, or certain psychiatric or medical conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could improve understanding of how menopause affects oxytocin-related physiology, potentially informing approaches to mood, appetite, and stress regulation in women.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests sex hormones modulate oxytocin and its regulation, but direct longitudinal comparisons across menopausal status with NP-I surrogates are limited, making this approach relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female sex at birth * Age ≥18 years Premenopausal group: • Premenopausal women aged 18-35 years with regular menstrual cycles (21-35 days) for ≥3 months prior to study entry Postmenopausal group: • Postmenopausal women ≥2 years of postmenopause (i.e. 3 years since last menstrual period (LMP), with menopause defined as ≥ 12 months of amenorrhea) Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Use of hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy within the last 3 months * Known endocrine disorders affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis * Use of medications * Severe depression (BDI score \> 28 points), any other severe psychiatric illness or acute medical disease * Inability to comply with study procedures * Participation in a trial with investigational drugs within the last 30 days
Where it's running
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University Hospital Basel
Basel, Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mirjam Christ-Crain, Prof. Dr. med. — University Hospital Basel Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Study coordinator: Mirjam Christ-Crain, Prof. Dr. med.
- Email: Mirjam.Christ-Crain@usb.ch
- Phone: 0041612652525
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.