Effects of Estrogen on Muscle Gain During 12-weeks of Exercise in Post-menopausal Women (NCT07617454) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of Estrogen on Muscle Gain During 12-weeks of Exercise in Post-menopausal Women
Denmark30 participantsStarted 2026-02-01
Plain-language summary
As females age and transition through menopause, the decline in oestrogen level profoundly affects skeletal muscle mass and function. HER-MUSCLE aims to unravel the mechanisms by which oestrogen enhances muscle growth, providing insights for targeted therapies to improve the health and physical function of postmenopausal females.
Focusing on postmenopausal females, an increasingly at-risk demographic, HER-MUSCLE addresses a critical gap in understanding how oestrogen influences muscle mass and function during anabolic (exercise) conditions.
The project involves:
1. Clinical Trial: Postmenopausal females will receive either oestrogen or placebo, twelve weeks of exercise training to detect oestrogen regulatory role on muscle mass and function.
2. Molecular Analysis: Advanced techniques will study the muscle microenvironment, focusing on muscle stem cells (MuSCs), fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs), and other cells critical for muscle regeneration and maintenance.
3. Mitochondrial Function assessed in vivo via magnetic resonance spectroscopy: The impact of oestrogen on mitochondrial health will be examined, exploring how it preserves mitochondrial function and ability to recovery and resist fatigue in response to muscle contractions.
Our preliminary data indicate that oestrogen can promote muscle protein synthesis. HER-MUSCLE aims to pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies to manage sarcopenia in postmenopausal women, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and enhanced well-being for this growing population segment.
Who can participate
Age range
40 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 1-10 years since last menstrual bleeding
* Age \> 40 years old
* BMI 20-30
Exclusion Criteria:
* Follicular stimulating hormone \< 30 mmol/L
* Systematic strength training during the last year (\> 1 strength training session per week)
* Injuries to the legs which may prevent participation in the physical training program
* Magnetizable metals or electrical devices implanted in the body, such as a pacemaker
* Use of medication that can influence the effect of immobilization and/or training
* Muscular or joint disorders which may affect the results
* Metabolic diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases)
* Previous or present liver or cancer disease
* Current or previous thrombosis
* Porphyria
* Epilepsia
* Systemic autoimmune disease
* Edema
* Smoking or use of other nicotine containing products
* Claustrophobia
* Addictive behavior, defined as abuse of cannabis, opioids, or other intoxicating substances.
* Lack of ability to cooperate
* Blood parameters out of normal range at the health check
* Blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.