Taking people in United StatesNo phase

Blood pressure nerve signals in women with early menopause

Studies nerve signals and blood pressure in women with early menopause.

Key facts

Who runs it: University of Minnesota
Where: Minneapolis, United StatesSee the site
Trial code: NCT04439370
Registry title: Autonomic Regulation of Blood Pressure in Premature and Early Menopausal Women
Status: Recruiting
People taking part: 160 people, planned
Started: 1 Oct 2019
Expected to end: 30 Dec 2026
Type of study: Observational, 4 groups
Treatments tested: Microneurography to measure muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA)
Baroreflex sensitivity testing
Sympathoexcitatory Maneuvers
Blood tests
Record updated: 8 January 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for women aged 35 to 70. Some are premenopausal, some had premature or early menopause, and some had menopause at a typical age.

Age: 35 to 70 years. Women aged 35-49 or 50-70 who had premature or early menopause; premenopausal women aged 35-49; typical-age menopause women aged 50-70.
Sex: Women only.
Disease stage: Premature menopause (before age 40), early menopause (age 45 or younger), typical-age menopause (after age 45), or still premenopausal. Menopause is confirmed by 12 months without periods and a blood FSH level above 30 mIU/mL.
Earlier treatment: Women with early or premature menopause must be willing to stop OC or MHT for the study. Premenopausal women cannot take OC or other steroids that interfere with the study results.
Biomarker or test result: Blood FSH above 30 mIU/mL, used to confirm menopause.

Main reasons for not taking part

Used nicotine or tobacco in the past six months
Diabetes or asthma
Significant carotid stenosis, heart disease, respiratory disease, or a severe neurologic condition such as stroke
Heart or blood pressure medicines that interfere with study results
Pregnant or breastfeeding

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 13 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

Aged 35-49 or 50-70 years of age who experienced premature (<40) or early (≤45) menopause
Premenopausal 35-49 years of age
Typical-age menopause (i.e., after 45 years of age), who are between 50-70 years old
Menopause will be confirmed by subject report of amenorrhea for 12 months and serum FSH of >30 mIU/mL

Who cannot take part

IF the participant is premenopausal AND currently taking OC or other exogenous steroids that are determined to interfere with study outcomes
Have a history of significant autonomic dysfunction, heart disease, respiratory disease or a severe neurologic condition such as stroke or traumatic brain injury
Take any heart/blood pressure medications that are determined to interfere with study outcomes
Current nicotine/tobacco use within the past six months
Are diabetic or asthmatic
Have diagnosed significant carotid stenosis
Have existing metabolic or endocrine abnormities
Females who classify as having early or premature menopause AND are not willing to discontinue OC or MHT in order to complete the study
Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

Are you between 35 and 70 years old?

Where in United States

University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, United StatesContact: Manda Keller-Ross, PhD, DPT, PTTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

This is a cross-sectional study in which the investigators will determine the impact of premature/early menopause on MSNA, BP and baroreflex sensitivity in younger (≤49 yr old) and older (≥50 yr old) women. Specifically, aim one will determine mechanisms driving autonomic dysregulation of BP in premature and early menopausal women and aim two will determine mechanisms driving autonomic dysregulation of BP in older menopausal women. The study design outlined below will permit testing of aim one and aim two.

The 4 groups in the trial

Aim 1: Postmenopausal Women
Participants in this group are postmenopausal women.
Treatment: Microneurography to measure muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), Baroreflex sensitivity testing, Sympathoexcitatory Maneuvers, and Blood tests
Aim 1: Premenopausal Women
Participants in this group are premenopausal women.
Treatment: Microneurography to measure muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), Baroreflex sensitivity testing, Sympathoexcitatory Maneuvers, and Blood tests
Aim 2: Premature/Early Menopause
Participants in this group women who experienced premature or early menopause.
Treatment: Microneurography to measure muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), Baroreflex sensitivity testing, Sympathoexcitatory Maneuvers, and Blood tests
Aim 2: Typical-Age Menopause
Participants in this group are women who experienced menopause at a typical age.
Treatment: Microneurography to measure muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), Baroreflex sensitivity testing, Sympathoexcitatory Maneuvers, and Blood tests