Gut microbiota and endometriosis: a microbiome-based approach to understanding and treating pain and lesions
Official title: ROLE OF THE GUT MICROBIOTA IN ENDOMETRIOSIS
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11391968 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how the gut microbiome might influence endometriosis to guide new, nonhormonal treatments for symptoms like pelvic pain and infertility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $533,958 |
| NIH project number | 2R01HD102680-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391968 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women of reproductive age with endometriosis who are interested in microbiome-related therapies or nonhormonal treatment approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose endometriosis is not influenced by gut microbiome factors or who do not respond to microbiome-targeted strategies may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how communities of gut bacteria relate to endometriosis and its symptoms. It builds on previous findings that gut bacteria and their metabolites can affect lesion growth and inflammation, aiming to map specific microbial patterns linked to the condition. The team will use advanced sequencing of gut bacteria and analyze metabolites to understand disease mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets that could reduce pain and improve quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new nonhormonal therapies that target the gut microbiome to reduce pain and lesion progression in endometriosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown a link between gut microbiota and endometriosis progression, with some metabolites influencing inflammation and pain in models.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kommagani, Ramakrishna — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Kommagani, Ramakrishna
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.