Actively Recruiting
Estradiol-mediated Inflammation and Central Sensitization in the Pathophysiology of Endometriosis-associated Pelvic Pain
Led by University of Michigan · Updated on 2026-02-18
130
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
142 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Michigan
Lead Sponsor
E
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this study is to better understand how hormone suppression with Relugolix Combination-Therapy (CT) affects pelvic pain, inflammation, and pain sensitivity in women with moderate-to-severe endometriosis associated pelvic pain.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Estradiol-mediated Inflammation and Central Sensitization in the Pathophysiology of Endometriosis-associated Pelvic Pain
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Premenopausal woman aged 18 to 49 years at consent
- History of endometriosis diagnosed by surgery, ultrasound, or MRI within 10 years
- Self-reported moderate to severe pelvic pain lasting 6 months or more
- Willingness to participate in the relugolix CT drug trial
- No injectable hormone therapy use in past 6 months
- Willingness to complete 30-60 day washout of other hormonal therapies if applicable
- Willingness to use two forms of non-hormonal contraception during the study or history of bilateral tubal occlusion at least 3 months prior
- Willingness to undergo quantitative sensory testing (QST), fMRI, and other study procedures
- Ability to read and speak English for consent and questionnaires
- Normal or correctable vision to 20/40 for MRI and visual testing
- No contraindications to MRI (e.g., metal implants, claustrophobia)
- Willingness to refrain from certain pain medications 12 hours before neuroimaging and QST
- Willingness to avoid alcohol and nicotine on day of QST and neuroimaging
- Willingness to avoid exercise causing soreness for 48 hours before testing
- Able to lie still on their back for 1 hour during MRI
- Weighs 300 pounds or less
- Completion of more than 60% of daily electronic diary entries during screening
- At least two menstrual flows separated by 21 days during washout/screening
- Confirmed moderate to severe non-menstrual pain and dysmenorrhea in diary during screening
You will not qualify if you...
- Contraindications to relugolix CT (e.g., high risk of thrombotic disorders, osteoporosis, hormone-sensitive cancers, hepatic impairment, abnormal uterine bleeding, hypersensitivity to relugolix CT components)
- Participation in other therapeutic trials
- Pregnant, lactating, less than 6 months postpartum, or planning pregnancy within 12 months
- Planned pelvic or abdominal surgery during study
- Major surgery within past 4 months involving abdomen, chest, or head (except skin biopsy, hysteroscopy, or endometrial biopsy)
- Planning new adjunctive pain treatments during study period
- History of hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy
- Significant gynecologic conditions requiring intervention, unless previously treated
- History or current psychosis, suicide risk, or attempt within 2 years
- Chronic opioid, alcohol, or illicit drug use
- Substance abuse in past year
- Unable or unwilling to stop opioid analgesics 48 hours before phenotyping visits
- Medical conditions interfering with treatment or study participation, including morbid obesity (BMI > 45), uncontrolled autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, serious cardiopulmonary, renal, liver, endocrine, neurologic conditions, severe physical impairments, or active malignancy except localized skin cancer
- Any condition preventing safe or satisfactory study completion
- Receiving or applying for compensation or disability with potential secondary gain
- Additional exclusions for QST and fMRI: severe claustrophobia, peripheral neuropathy, epilepsy, visual-evoked migraines (excluded from visual testing), weight over 300 pounds
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Kathy Scott
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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