Endometriosis Study in Utah

Basic Qualifications for Participation in Our Endometriosis Study in Utah:

• Have endometriosis, the existence of which has been confirmed by a laparoscopy within the last seven years.
• Have been prescribed medication to treat pain resulting from endometriosis.
• Be between the ages of 18 and 47.

If you qualify to participate in our Utah endometriosis study, you may receive:

• No-cost health care related to the study.
• No-cost investigational medication.
• Compensation for time and travel related to the study.
• Study-related exam.
• Compensation up to $3,500 for completing all visits and procedures.

If you are interested in participating in this Utah-based endometriosis study to investigate a new medication to treat this painful condition, please register using the form located below.

Endometriosis is an often-painful disorder in women, in which the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the womb, on the ovaries or in the abdominal cavity. We are conducting a clinical research study to investigate the effects and effectiveness of a new oral medication indicated for the treatment of endometriosis.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometrial tissue normally lines the inside of the uterus. Endometriosis is a painful condition in which endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus, commonly affecting the ovaries, bowel, and pelvic tissue. The errant endometrial tissue follows the menstrual cycle and regularly thickens, breaks down, and bleeds just like the endometrium inside the uterus. However, it has no way to leave the body, so it simply becomes trapped. The condition commonly affects the ovaries, causing cysts called endometriomas. The presence of this endometrial tissue in the abdominal cavity can abnormally bind organs and other tissue together.

Causes

Medical professionals do not know exactly why endometriosis occurs. The following are suspected of causing or contributing to the condition:
• Retrograde menstruation. This is when menstrual blood and endometrial cells flow backwards through the fallopian tubes and empty into the pelvic cavity instead of exiting the body and is considered the most likely cause of endometriosis. The endometrial cells cling to the ovaries and the pelvic walls, and then grow and bleed with each menstrual period.
• Endometrial cell transport. Similar to retrograde menstruation, the blood vessels or lymphatic system sometimes move endometrial cells to different areas within the body.
• Embryonic cellular growth. This occurs when the cells that line the pelvic and abdominal cavities are embryonic cells. Endometriosis may develop when small portions of the abdominal lining become endometrial tissue.
• Autoimmune disorder. Problems with the immune system have been known to render endometrial tissue invisible to the body’s immune system, which is therefore unable to locate and eradicate endometrial cells and tissue that have begun to grow beyond the natural confines of the uterus.
• Abdominal surgery. Some surgeries, particularly hysterectomies and Cesarean-section births, have been known to displace endometrial cells, which then become attached to the surgical incision and begin to grow outside the womb.

Common Symptoms of Endometriosis

Endometriosis exacerbates the pain that is often naturally associated with the menstrual cycle, which pain is generally reported to grow worse with time. The primary symptoms of endometriosis are:
• Pelvic pain.
• Lower back pain.
• Abdominal discomfort.
• Dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation.
• Menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual flow.
• Menometrorrhagia, or bleeding between periods.
• Painful intercourse.
• Painful bowel movements or urination.
• Excessive bleeding.
• Infertility.
Unfortunately, the amount of pain is not a reliable indicator of the extent or severity of the condition. Some women with mild endometriosis have been known to experience widespread pain, yet other women with advanced endometriosis have been known to experience little added pain. Still others do not experience pain at all.