Hormones, inflammation, and pelvic pain in endometriosis
The impact of hormonal modulation on systemic inflammation and central sensitization
This project tests whether lowering hormone-driven inflammation with the drug elagolix can reduce pelvic pain and brain sensitivity in women with endometriosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163351 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive one of two doses of the FDA-approved hormone blocker elagolix so researchers can see how changing hormone levels affects inflammation and pain. The team will measure pelvic and systemic inflammation using blood markers, track your pain symptoms and related widespread pain, and test nervous system sensitization including experimental pain responses and brain functional connectivity. Comparing the two doses will show whether a higher dose reduces systemic inflammation and associated brain changes that amplify pain. The approach aims to link changes in inflammation with changes in how the brain processes pelvic pain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women with endometriosis-associated chronic pelvic pain who are candidates for hormonal suppression and able to attend study visits are the ideal participants.
Not a fit: People without endometriosis, those whose pain is driven primarily by structural issues requiring surgery, or anyone who cannot take elagolix may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to better-targeted hormonal treatments that reduce pelvic pain and related widespread pain by lowering systemic inflammation and brain sensitization.
How similar studies have performed: Hormonal suppression with drugs like elagolix has helped many women with endometriosis pain, but using dose differences to link systemic inflammation with brain sensitization is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: As-Sanie, Sawsan — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: As-Sanie, Sawsan
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 below.