Actively Recruiting
The Developmental Origins of Endometriosis
Led by University Hospital, Montpellier · Updated on 2026-02-25
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
143 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University Hospital, Montpellier
Lead Sponsor
C
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Introduction: Endometriosis is a common pathology affecting one in 10 women, characterized by the ectopic development of endometrium, which can cause pain and/or infertility. This pathology is primarily determined by hereditary factors, but it is also susceptible to environmental influences, such as the age of the onset of menstruation or exposure to chemical substances that modify the endocrine system. Recent studies have highlighted that endometriosis is more common in women with relatively short ano-genital distances (AGD), and that sensitivity to pain is closely linked to adult levels of testosterone (T) or oxytocin (OT). Aim: The main objective is to compare the anogenital distance (AGD) between two groups of women: one with stage III or IV endometriosis (ENDO +) and another group without endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy (ENDO -). The secondary objectives are to compare various factors between the 2 groups : * Basal testosterone levels in blood. * Variations in blood testosterone levels before and after a video stimulating empathy. * Basal oxytocin levels in saliva. * Variations in oxytocin levels in saliva before and after an empathy-stimulating video. * Pelvic pain, between D2 and D5 after the start of the menstrual cycle. For the ENDO + group only: * Evaluate patients' quality of life, between D2 and D5 after the start of the menstrual cycle. * Correlate pain experienced over the last 4 weeks with hormonal markers (AGD, T, OT). Methods: Participants in the ENDO+ group will fill in a questionnaire assessing the impact of pain experienced over the past 4 weeks on their quality of life. D0 is defined as the day when participants experience a menstrual bleed before 10 am. All participants will return for project-specific hospital appointment between D2 and D5 after the start of their menstrual cycle to measure T, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) and OT. During this consultation, the following samples will be taken: * 10mL blood sample * 2mL saliva sample Both samples will be taken at t0 (before watching the video) and t1 (20 minutes after watching the video).
CONDITIONS
Official Title
The Developmental Origins of Endometriosis
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Nulliparous woman
- No hormonal contraception for at least 3 months
- Regular menstrual cycles between 26 and 32 days or proven ovulation (positive urine ovulation test or progesterone level >3 ng/ml in the luteal phase)
- Normal BMI (≥ 18.5 and < 30 kg/m²)
- For ENDO+ group: Stage III or IV endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy, laparotomy, or MRI
- For ENDO+ group: Presence of painful symptoms
- For ENDO- group: No endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy
You will not qualify if you...
- Ovarian stimulation planned within 3 months
- Adenomyosis
- Use of a copper coil
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Pudendal neuralgia
- Episiotomy or lesion of the posterior perineum that may modify AGD
- Diabetes or thyroid disease
- Chronic liver failure, chronic renal failure, cardiac pathology, autoimmune disease
- Autism
- Diagnosis and/or treatment for psychiatric illness
- Chronic exposure to cocaine, methamphetamine, morphine, or ecstasy within 30 days before inclusion
- Chronic exposure to Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) within 7 days prior to inclusion
- Treatment with drugs that affect oxytocin, testosterone, or GnRH
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Given birth or breastfed within 6 weeks before inclusion
- Unable to read French
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- Not affiliated with or benefiting from national health insurance
- Under legal protection, guardianship, or curatorship
- Participating in other human research studies
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
CHU de Montpellier
Montpellier, France, 34295
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Alexandra ALVERGNE, PhD
CONTACT
N
Noémie RANISAVLJEVIC, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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