The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether it is feasible to conduct a larger study comparing transdermal menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) versus no hormone therapy in menopausal women with vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) and at least one cardiovascular risk factor. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* What proportion of eligible women agree to be randomly assigned to either receive MHT or not? * How many participants complete the 12-month follow-up, including repeat heart imaging? * Does transdermal MHT affect early changes in heart muscle tissue as measured by cardiac MRI?
Researchers will compare immediate initiation of transdermal estradiol (a skin gel or patch) to a no-hormone therapy strategy to see if MHT influences early cardiovascular and brain-vascular changes over 12 months.
Participants will:
* Be randomly assigned to start transdermal MHT within 2 weeks, or to use no hormone therapy for at least the first 3 months * Undergo a cardiac MRI and retinal eye imaging at the start of the study and again at 12 months * Complete cognitive testing and questionnaires about symptoms, sleep, and stress at both visits * Provide a blood sample for storage and future analysis of heart and brain health markers * Receive follow-up phone calls at 3, 6, and 9 months to review symptoms, medications, and any health changes
Women aged ≥ 45 years.
Perimenopause, defined as menstrual cycle irregularity (changes in cycle length, skipped cycles, or amenorrhea ≥ 60 days) accompanied by vasomotor symptoms consistent with the menopausal transition.
≥ 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea, or
bilateral oophorectomy, or
Prior cardiovascular event or established cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction, stroke or TIA, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or clinically significant valvular heart disease.
Uncontrolled hypertension or other unstable cardiovascular condition (e.g., unstable angina, decompensated heart failure, uncontrolled arrhythmia).
Formal contraindication to systemic menopausal hormone therapy, including estrogen-dependent cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding, active severe liver disease, severe thrombophilia, antiphospholipid syndrome, prior or active VTE.
Standard contraindications to MRI (e.g., MRI-incompatible pacemakers or intracardiac devices, certain metallic implants, metallic foreign bodies in the eye, or severe claustrophobia not manageable).
Parallel
Transdermal estradiol
DrugParticipants randomized to this arm will initiate systemic transdermal estradiol within 2 weeks of the baseline visit. The specific formulation and dose will be selected through shared decision-making between the participant and her physician based on individual clinical factors, tolerability, and patient preference. Permitted formulations include: Estrogel® (0.06% estradiol gel): 1 pump (0.75 mg) to 2 pumps (1.5 mg) applied daily Divigel® (0.1% estradiol gel): 1.0 mg sachet applied once daily Estradot® (estradiol patch): 25, 37.5, or 50 mcg, changed twice weekly Climara® (estradiol patch): 25, 37.5, or 50 mcg, changed once weekly Participants with a uterus will receive endometrial protection. First-line therapy is micronized progesterone (Prometrium® 100 mg orally once daily, continuous regimen). Alternative progestogens (medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg orally once daily or a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device) may be used if clinically indicated or not tolerated. Dose ad
Standard of care - non hormonal
DrugParticipants randomized to this arm will not initiate systemic menopausal hormone therapy for at least the first 3 months following randomization. Non-hormonal management of vasomotor symptoms is permitted at the discretion of the treating physician, and may include lifestyle interventions, supplements, and/or guideline-recommended non-hormonal pharmacologic therapies such as SSRIs/SNRIs, gabapentin, oxybutynin, or fezolinetant. If participants experience persistent or intolerable vasomotor symptoms despite non-hormonal management, initiation of systemic MHT may be proposed after 3 months based on shared decision-making between the participant and her treating physician. All crossovers will be documented including timing, reason, and regimen. Participants will remain analyzed in their originally assigned group for intention-to-treat analyses.
Recruitment Rate
Proportion of eligible women approached who consent to randomization, Percentage (%)
12-Month Retention Rate
Proportion of randomized participants completing the 12-month follow-up visit, Percentage (%)
CMR Completion Rate
Proportion of participants completing both baseline and 12-month CMR examinations, Percentage (%)
Crossover Rate
Proportion of participants in the no-MHT group who initiate systemic MHT during follow-up, Percentage (%)
Myocardial oxygenation reserve
Percent change in myocardial signal intensity (ΔSI%) during breath-hold at 30 seconds relative to rest, assessed by OS-CMR (B-MORE)
Aortic distensibility
assessed by CMR, mmHg-¹
Aortic cross-sectional area
assessed by CMR, cm²
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
Assessed by CMR, Percentage (%)
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