Understanding the causes of chronic pelvic pain in women
Official title: Cross Organ Mechanisms in Chronic Pelvic Pain
Funded at Endeavor Health Clinical Operations · NIH-11136242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some young women with menstrual pain end up with long-lasting pelvic pain, and it will follow them for two years to find out what factors might increase the risk of developing this chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Endeavor Health Clinical Operations NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Evanston, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $648,936 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK100368-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young women experiencing dysmenorrhea, particularly those showing signs of bladder hypersensitivity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience menstrual pain or chronic pelvic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates why some women with menstrual pain develop chronic pelvic pain (CPP) while others do not. It focuses on a specific group of young women who experience dysmenorrhea and tracks their symptoms over two years to identify risk factors for developing CPP. The study includes assessments of bladder sensitivity and other health factors to better understand the transition from acute to chronic pain. By gathering data from a large cohort, the research aims to uncover underlying mechanisms that contribute to CPP.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for women suffering from chronic pelvic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding chronic pain mechanisms, but this specific approach focusing on dysmenorrhea and its transition to CPP is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
Evanston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tu, Frank Fu-Sheng — Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
- Study coordinator: Tu, Frank Fu-Sheng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A short, patient-friendly study will look at whether allergy-related antibodies can help predict and prevent flare-ups in people with urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
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Sacral nerve stimulation for chronic pelvic pain
A study to see if a minimally invasive nerve-stimulation therapy can help reduce chronic pelvic pain and improve quality of life in adult women.
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Why menstrual pain becomes chronic pelvic pain
We will follow young women with menstrual pain, including those with bladder sensitivity, to learn who develops ongoing pelvic pain and which early signs predict it.
-
Sacral Neuromodulation for Chronic Pelvic Pain
This research explores if a treatment called sacral neuromodulation can help women who experience ongoing pelvic pain.
-
A brief behavioral treatment for chronic pelvic pain
This project is testing a short behavioral therapy to help people manage chronic pelvic pain and related conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
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.