Post-traumatic Estradiol Administration and Care Evaluation (PEACE)

This pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability of administering a single 6 mg oral dose of 17β-estradiol (E2) to individuals assigned female at birth who have experienced a sexual assault (SA) within the previous 120 hours. Thirty participants aged 18 to 45 years will be randomized 1:1 to receive either E2 or an identical-appearing placebo and followed for three months with blood collection and standardized assessments. The study will evaluate recruitment, enrollment, retention, biological responses, and preliminary clinical outcomes, including chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to inform the design of a future fully powered efficacy trial.