The link between fatty acids in blood cells and endometriosis risk

Erythrocyte fatty acids and risk of endometriosis

NIH-funded research Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-10708904

This study is looking at how certain fats in your blood might influence the chances of developing endometriosis, a condition that causes painful symptoms for many women, and it hopes to find dietary changes that could help ease those symptoms.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-10708904 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how fatty acids found in red blood cells may affect the risk of developing endometriosis, a painful condition affecting many women. By analyzing stored blood samples from a large cohort of women, the study aims to provide more accurate insights than previous methods that relied on self-reported dietary habits. The goal is to identify potential dietary modifications that could help reduce the risk or severity of endometriosis symptoms, such as chronic pain and fatigue.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women of reproductive age who are at risk for or have been diagnosed with endometriosis.

Not a fit: Patients who are not of reproductive age or those without a diagnosis of endometriosis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to dietary recommendations that help reduce the risk of endometriosis and improve the quality of life for affected women.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has suggested dietary factors may influence endometriosis, but this study's approach using blood biomarkers is relatively novel and could provide new insights.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Coronary heart diseaseCoronary Diseaseatherosclerotic heart diseasecoronary disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.