Actively Recruiting
AGEWISE: Unravelling the Gut-Hormone Axis in Women's Ageing
Led by Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine · Updated on 2026-05-29
300
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
521 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
G
Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine
Lead Sponsor
B
Biocodex Microbiota Foundation
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how changes in the gut microbiome relate to hormonal changes during women's ageing, especially throughout menopause. This observational study focuses on healthy women aged 40 to 64 living in Portugal. It aims to understand how menopause affects long-term health by examining gut microbiome, hormone levels, and markers of chronic low-grade inflammation, to help develop better prevention strategies for women's health. Participants are grouped by menopausal stage: premenopausal with regular periods, perimenopausal with irregular periods and some menopausal symptoms, and menopausal/postmenopausal with no menstruation for 12 months. Women will provide stool and blood samples and complete questionnaires about their health, lifestyle, diet, and menopausal symptoms. The study collects data over 10 years, with baseline and follow-up assessments every two years. During the study, participants will be assessed for gut microbiome composition and function, hormone levels, inflammation markers, menopause-related symptoms, nutrition, physical activity, sleep habits, and stress levels. These evaluations help researchers identify microbiome and blood biomarkers linked to menopause and ageing. Participation involves regular sample collection and questionnaires, with ongoing monitoring to support personalized risk assessment and prevention in women's health.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
AGEWISE: Unravelling the Gut-Hormone Axis in Women's Ageing
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Female sex
- Aged 40 to 64 years
- Resident in mainland Portugal or the islands
- Able and willing to provide written informed consent
- Willing to provide stool and blood samples and complete three questionnaires
You will not qualify if you...
- Age below 40 years or 65 years and older
- Inability to give informed consent
- Refusal to provide stool or blood samples or complete questionnaires
- Pregnancy
- Diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic diarrhoea of unknown cause, or recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection
- Active oncological disease
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Baseline and every 2 years over a period of 10 years
Participants provide stool and blood samples and complete questionnaires to assess gut microbiome, hormone levels, inflammation, symptoms, nutrition, physical activity, sleeping habits, and stress.
Visits every 2 years for up to 10 years
Duration - 10 years
Participants are observed over time to track changes in the gut microbiome, hormone levels, inflammation biomarkers, and menopause-related symptoms.
Visits every 2 years for up to 10 years
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine, Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Ana S Almeida, PhD
M
Madalena Reis
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
3
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