Menopause is a natural process that happens to women as they get older. During menopause, the body goes through a lot of major changes, including a drop in the production of the hormone estrogen. This drop in estrogen can affect many parts of a woman’s body, including the immune system.

The immune system is the body’s defence against germs and bugs, such as viruses. Estrogen regulates the immune system. So when menopause starts, the lack of estrogen can affect how the immune system fights viruses and infections. However, we don’t know enough about how menopause affects the immune system and whether it makes women more at risk of viral infections like HIV.

Our study will determine whether menopause changes how some cells from the immune system, called T cells, respond to viruses. T cells are some of the most important cells in our immune system, and any changes in how they respond to viruses can have an important impact on fighting viruses.

This study will help to understand the impact of menopause on the immune system and help improve women’s health.