Researchers are trying to assess the appropriate dose of estrogen for decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in women who have removal of their ovaries at a young age, before the age of 46 years.
Baseline Study Visit: Subjects will report for the Baseline Study Day in an 8 hour fasting state (water only) and refrain from heavy exercise, caffeine, and alcohol for 24 hours. The participant will undergo study specific procedures including a urine pregnancy test if they are of child bearing potential. Participants will also complete a set of questionnaires. After the completion of the study tests, participants will be offered a meal. Participants scheduled for surgery to remove their ovaries: after the surgery subjects will be randomized to one of two groups. They will receive the standard dose of the hormone (estrogen) patch, generally prescribed to patients after removal both ovaries. Or sent home on the standard dose hormone patch, hormone levels will be tested every 3-4 weeks, and patch dose adjusted until the estrogen level is reached that results in the hormone levels of a young woman before menopause. In order to check hormones, subjects will be able to choose to have a lab kit sent to them and have the draw done locally, or can come in person. Participants will also receive a second hormone prescription if they have an intact uterus to protect the lining of the uterus from the effects of using estrogen alone. 6-Month Study Visit: Subjects will be asked to come back and repeat most of the study specific tests from the baseline study visit that will take about 5 hours. 1-Year Study Visit: Subjects will be asked to come back for the final visit and will repeat all the study tests done at baseline visit. This visit will take about 5 hours. Control Group: Healthy subjects serving as controls to see how measures change over time will not undergo a surgery or be given estrogen. These healthy subjects will return after the baseline visit to repeat study visits at 6 and 12-months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
35
Standard
Individualized
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Arterial Stiffness
Augmented pressure, a measure of arterial stiffness was recorded through high-fidelity pressure waveforms and compared at planned time frames
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Mean Blood Pressure Reactivity to Isometric Hand Grip Exercise
Change in mean blood pressure in response to isometric hand grip exercise (30% maximum voluntary contraction)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Mean Blood Pressure Reactivity to Cold Stress
Maximum change in mean blood pressure during 3-minute cold pressor test (immersing hand up to wrist in ice water while changes in blood pressure monitored)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Changes in Whole Body Fat
Measurements of whole-body fat using Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months
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