Menopause Effects on Vascular Function

Ganirelix acetate (Antagon) will be used to prevent endogenous production of ovarian hormones in young women. Ganirelix is derived from native GnRH, and acts by competitively blocking GnRH receptors on the pituitary and subsequent pathways. Thus, administration of the GnRH antagonist (GnRHant) suppresses steroidogenesis, leading to low or undetectable serum estrogen and progesterone concentrations, which occurs within two days of initiation of administration (Oberye, Mannaerts, Huisman \& Timmer, 1999; Oberye, Mannaerts, Kleijn, \& Timmer, 1999).

Short term estradiol administration elicits changes in vascular function in women, and 0.1mg/day patch is the upper recommended limit for hormone therapy in women (Wenner, Taylor, \& Stachenfeld, 2011; Moreau, Hildreth, Meditz, Deane \& Kohrt, 2012).