Post-Menopause

This study is being done to compare two vaginal treatments, vaginal estrogen and vaginal DHEA, that are used to treat vaginal and urinary symptoms related to menopause. These symptoms may include vaginal dryness, discomfort, painful intercourse, or urinary problems and can affect quality of life and sexual health. Women who choose to participate will be randomly assigned to use one of the two treatments for a set period of time. Participants will complete questionnaires about their symptoms and sexual health and have simple vaginal testing at the beginning and end of the study. The goal of this research is to better understand how these treatments affect vaginal health and sexual function so healthcare providers can make informed treatment decisions and improve care for postmenopausal women.

The aim of TIMEDIAB is to demonstrate that early TRE (eTRE) combined to late (afternoon) exercise will outperform eTRE combined to morning exercise on muscle function as primary endpoint, and glucose homeostasis as secondary endpoint

Menopause and ageing bring several changes to women's health, partly due to a decline in the hormone estrogen. This reduction affects multiple systems in the body, including muscles and bones, and also influences the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a key role in regulating blood flow and blood pressure. An reduced ability to produce nitric oxide is associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Many women also experience lower levels of physical activity and changes in body composition during midlife, such as increased body fat and reduced muscle mass and strength, which may further decrease exercise capacity. This PhD project investigates whether a simple, natural strategy, combining exercise with beetroot juice, can help postmenopausal women achieve greater benefits from exercise. Beetroot juice is naturally rich in nitrates, which the body can convert into nitric oxide, thereby enhancing blood flow. Exercise itself also stimulates nitric oxide production, and together these approaches may have additive or even synergistic effects. The study examines whether consuming beetroot juice before exercise can enhance training adaptations and health outcomes in postmenopausal women. Key outcomes include cardiovascular function, body composition, musculoskeletal function, and aerobic capacity. Some evidence suggests that beetroot juice may amplify the body's response to exercise, which could be particularly beneficial for postmenopausal women, who often face greater barriers to physical activity. By exploring this combined approach, the project aims to evaluate a safe, non-pharmacological strategy to improve physical function and overall health in women after menopause.

The goal of this study is to better understand how an amylopectin chromium blend may influence whole body protein balance in women during midlife, when hormonal changes can adversely affect protein metabolism and muscle maintenance. Continuous glucose monitoring will also be used to assess glycemic control over a 24-hour period. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Does the use of an amylopectin chromium blend in peri- and post-menopausal women help to support positive protein balance * Can the affect be achieved using a concentrated dose Researchers will compare the nutritional supplement to a placebo (amylopectin alone) to see if the amylopectin chromium blend can promote positive protein balance. A concentrated dose of the supplement will also be evaluated for comparative effectiveness. Participants will: * Consume the nutritional supplement (standard or concentrated dose) or placebo acutely after a short resistance exercise bout * Complete four in-person visits, including the single-day intervention Results from this research may help guide future nutritional strategies to support healthy aging, muscle function, and overall metabolic health.

Participants will be asked to wear a continuous glucose monitor for at least three days on three separate occasions. One testing session will be a no-exercise resting control session (90 minutes). One will be a moderate aerobic exercise session (30 minutes of exercise, 60 minutes of recovery), and the third will be a moderate weight-lifting session (\~30 minutes of exercise, 60 minutes of recovery).The investigators will measure changes in blood glucose during exercise by drawing blood during and after exercise. Post-exercise glucose trends will be examined using continuous glucose monitoring.

Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction (CMD) occurs when there are problems in the small blood vessels/arteries of the heart, resulting in persistent chest pain that affects women. There are an estimated 3 million women in the US with CMD and about 100,000 new cases annually. This research will investigate whether the stress response physiology and autonomic function in response to mental stress are different in women with CMD compared to other groups. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls normally involuntary activities, such as heart rate, respiration (breathing), body temperature, blood pressure, and urinary function. This study will also examine how chronic and daily life mental stress affects the heart and blood vessels. Participants from this study will be recruited mainly from Emory Healthcare-associated hospitals, the Emory Heart Disease Center for Prevention, and Emory Healthcare outpatient cardiology clinics. Participants will have physical exams, blood tests, stress tests, exercise tests, surveys, questionnaires, and images taken of their hearts and blood vessels. They will be asked to take home devices to monitor their autonomic function, sleep, and track their mood, stress level, and symptoms for one week. Data and specimens will be saved for future research.