Understanding the causes of uterine pain to improve treatment for menstrual cramps
Mechanistic Characterization of Uterine Pain (M-CUP) to improve diagnosis and treatment for dysmenorrhea
This study is looking at how menstrual cramps happen and what causes the pain, using special MRI tools to see what's going on in the uterus during those painful times, with the hope of finding better treatments for women who experience severe cramps.
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 ID | NIH-10692599 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the underlying mechanisms of menstrual cramping pain associated with conditions like primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea, which includes issues such as endometriosis and adenomyosis. By utilizing advanced MRI-based tools, the study aims to noninvasively measure uterine contractions, blood flow, and oxygen levels during menstrual pain episodes. The goal is to identify how these factors contribute to pain, which could lead to more effective and personalized treatment options for women suffering from severe menstrual cramps.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women suffering from severe menstrual cramps that do not respond to over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience menstrual pain or those whose pain is effectively managed with current treatments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment options for women experiencing debilitating menstrual pain.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using MRI to study uterine physiology is innovative, similar methodologies have shown promise in other areas of pain research, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Evanston, United States
- Endeavor Health Clinical Operations — Evanston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hellman, Kevin — Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
- Study coordinator: Hellman, Kevin
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.