Testing hormone therapy for hot flashes in women with HIV

This study is testing whether estradiol with or without progesterone — the same hormone therapy used to treat menopause symptoms in women without HIV — can safely and effectively help women living with HIV who experience severe hot flashes and night sweats. Researchers want to see if this medication can improve not just these symptoms, but also sleep, mood, bone health, and overall quality of life. About half of participants will receive the active medication, and half will receive a placebo (a look-alike with no active ingredient).

Women living with HIV tend to have worse hot flashes and night sweats during menopause compared to women without HIV, and these symptoms can seriously interfere with sleep, mood, work, and daily life. While this medication is known to work well for menopause symptoms in the general population, doctors don't yet have clear evidence about whether it's safe and effective specifically for women with HIV, or how it might interact with HIV medications.