Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: \-- Willingness and ability to comply with schedules and study procedures * Postmenopausal females aged 45-75, defined as having not had a menstrual cycle for at least 1 year * BMI \<35 kg/m2 * Currently taking hormone replacement therapy with transdermal estrogen (spray/gel/patches) combined with progesterone for at least 3 months * MHT regimen started within 10 years of last menses * MHT regimen started before the age of 60 * Physically inactive (less than 3 bouts of moderate exercise per week or less than a total of 150 minutes per week \[i.e. walking at a brisk pace 3x a week for 50 minutes, leisure sport activity 3x a week for 50 minutes) * No major changes in medication in the last 3 months Exclusion Criteria: * Smokers within the last 5 years * Weight unstable (loss/gain of more than 3kg in the past 3 months) or currently taking weight loss medications * Any medical condition that prevents the subject from exercising safely * Diabetes * Currently or recently on the following medications (i.e., organic and inorganic nitrates, diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, xanthine oxidase inhibitors etc.) * Oral antibiotic use now or within the previous four weeks * Diagnosed with Oral disease or poor oral health * Using an antibacterial mouthwash or a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine and unwilling to discontinue use * Cancer diagnosis * Cardiovascular disease * Hysterectomy or oophorectomy * Prisoners, cognitively impaired individuals, and non-English speaking individuals