Exploring how sex, hormones, and identity affect pain sensitivity
State of Hormones Impact Nociceptive Expression
This study is trying to see how gender identity and hormone levels affect how different people feel pain.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama at Birmingham Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Birmingham, Alabama) |
| Trial ID | NCT05787470 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to investigate the relationship between gender identity, hormone levels, and pain sensitivity among different groups, including cisgender men, cisgender women, transgender men on testosterone, transgender women on estradiol, and their counterparts not on hormone therapy. Participants will undergo quantitative sensory testing to assess their sensitivity to cold, pressure, and heat, while also providing blood samples for hormone and immune cell analysis. Additionally, questionnaires will evaluate psychological and social factors that may influence pain perception. The study seeks to enhance understanding of how these variables interact to affect pain experiences.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 18-65 who self-identify as cisgender men, cisgender women, transgender men, or transgender women and have been on or off hormone treatment for at least six months.
Not a fit: Patients experiencing chronic pain or those with certain medical conditions such as HIV or cardiovascular disease may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more personalized pain management strategies that consider gender identity and hormonal influences.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies examining pain sensitivity in relation to gender identity, this specific approach integrating hormone levels and immune response is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * self-identification as one of the above gender identities * understanding of verbal and written English. * participants that have been on/off hormone treatment for at least 6 months Exclusion Criteria: * pain in at least 3/7 days/week for the past 3 months * HIV positive diagnosis * cardiovascular or pulmonary disease * regular use of opioid pain medications * uncontrolled hypertension (i.e. SBP/DBP of \> 150/95) * current illness accompanied by fever (body temperature \>38 °C) * prostatectomy, hysterectomy or oophorectomy * hospitalization due to psychiatric illness within the last 6 months.
Where this trial is running
Birmingham, Alabama
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, Alabama, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Robert Sorge, Phd — University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Psychology
- Study coordinator: Tammie Quinn, BA
- Email: tquinn@uab.edu
- Phone: (205) 934-8743
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.