Clinical Trials in Ob/Gyn and Women's Health
OHSU is actively recruiting patients for the clinical trials in the women’s health topics listed below. Join our newsletter to be informed of upcoming opportunities.
To volunteer for any of these studies, please call 503 494-3666 or e-mail us and we will contact you.
Topics of Research
Current Clinical Trials in Contraception and Birth Control
Improving Contraceptive Effectiveness in Obese Women
IRB #5382
The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of oral contraceptives in women with a high Body Mass Index (higher than 30). The study is approximately 4-1/2 months in duration, including two visits that require patients to remain at the study site for 12 hours. We are looking for women between 18 and 35 years of age who have regular menstrual cycles and are currently not using hormonal birth control. The study will use two oral contraceptives that are already approved by the FDA. Participants may be compensated up to $3,500 for time and travel associated with the study.
Current Clinical Trials in Urogynecology
Pelvic Floor Nerve Injury Following Childbirth
IRB 3196
This study looks at features of a woman’s anatomy, musculature and nerves before and after delivering a first child, as well as how those are associated with the lacerations (tears or cuts) and the symptoms of incontinence that happen as a result of childbirth. This study is currently recruiting new subjects.
Effectiveness of Minimally Invasive Sacrocolpopexy and TVT for Combined Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Urinary Incontinence
IRB 5302
This study looks at whether the success rate of mid-urethral slings for incontinence is similar in patients with prolapse (undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpoplexy) as those patients without prolapse. This study is currently recruiting new subjects from within the OHSU urogynecology practice.
Pilot RCT for CAM Treatment of Pregnancy-Related LBP
IRB 5033
This study looks at the effectiveness of alternative treatments for new onset lower back pain in pregnancy. This study is currently recruiting new subjects.
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Fibromyalgia
IRB 5420
This study looks at urinary symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia. This study is not currently recruiting new subjects.
Examining the Brain’s Control Systems in Normal and Overactive Bladder using Diffusing Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
IRB 6005
The purpose of this study is to better understand how the brain controls the bladder, by using MRI machine and DTI to create images of the brain during different bladder states. To participate in this study you should be between the ages of 50 and 65, may or may not be experiencing symptoms of urinary incontinence and you must qualify based on your answers to a four-question screening questionnaire. This study is currently recruiting established patients from the OHSU Center for Women’s Health clinics.
Current Clinical Trials in Pregnancy and Infertility
SCAN: Prevention of Preterm Birth in First Time Mothers with a Short Cervix
IRB 3413 (PI: Jorge Tolosa, M.D.)
The purpose of this study is to see if weekly injections of a hormone called progesterone given in early stages of pregnancy will help prevent preterm birth in first-time moms who are found to have a short cervix.
Participants should be currently 16 to 22 weeks pregnant and agree to a vaginal ultrasound to measure the length of their cervix. This ultrasound is offered at no cost to the participants. Other eligibility criteria apply.
If participants are found to have a short cervix, the study will include weekly injections of progesterone, as well as specialized care by our staff during pregnancy. Participants will be compensated $10 for each weekly injection.
Biomarkers in Maternal, Fetal, and Pediatric Health and Disease
IRB 0139 (PI: Leonardo Pereira, M.D.)
The purpose of this study is to understand the role of protein biomarkers in health and disease. We are looking for proteins produced by genes that are associated with different health and disease states of pregnancy or pediatrics. All pregnant women and newborns are eligible. There is no compensation for participants.
Recurrent Preterm Birth
IRB # 3954 (PI: Leonardo Pereira, M.D.)
The purpose of this study is to understand why some women are more likely to experience pre-term birth than others. Pregnant women with a history of only preterm birth(s) are eligible. There is no compensation for participants.
Infection in Amniotic Fluid (IAI)
IRB# 3777 (PI: Leonardo Pereira, M.D.)
The purpose of this study is to develop tests that may help doctors know if preterm labor is caused by an infection in amniotic fluid. Women in preterm labor at OHSU may be eligible for this study. There is no compensation for participants.
Current Clinical Trials in Women's and Gynecologic Cancers
In Partnership With Knight Cancer Institute
The Center for Women's Health and the OHSU Cancer Institute are working together to develop new treatments and prevention methods for women's cancer.
Search for information about current trials involving ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers.
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Current Clinical Trials in Other Areas of Women's Health
Pain and Immunity Study
IRB 4920 (PI: Beth Darnall, Ph.D.)
The purpose of this study is to learn how negative thoughts affect the immune systems of women with chronic pain. Women should be between the ages of 18 and 45, non-smoking, and have a diagnosis of muscle or bone pain for at least 13 months. Other eligibility criteria apply. The study involves 2 visits to OHSU. Participants may be compensated $160 for time and travel during the study.
Preclinical Studies on Endometrial Xenografts
IRB 5108
The purpose of this research is to study the endometrium (the lining tissue of the uterus) in a research laboratory to learn more about possible medical treatments for endometriosis, a painful condition in women. The study involves 1 or 2 office visits that will occur over a single menstrual cycle at a minimum of 1 but not more than 12 months. We will collect tissue samples from the lining of the womb (endometrial biopsy).
Premenopausal women ages 18-45 who are not using a form of non-hormonal contraception will be eligible if they are surgically sterile or are not at risk for pregnancy (have sexual contact with a sterilized male partner, are abstinent or have a same-sex partner). Participants will be compensated up to $200 upon completion of the study.
We offer study opportunities in the areas of sterilization, continuous oral contraceptives, a new contraceptive ring, osteoporosis, low libido, the Human Papilloma Virus (genital wart virus), and hot flashes. Please call our confidential recruitment line at 503 494-3666 to learn more about these studies or to get on a wait list as a potential participant.
If you are interested in Women’s Health Research, but don’t see a study that pertains to you at present, we would encourage you to contact us in order to receive information on future studies.
The Women’s Health Research Unit researches health issues including, but not limited to, contraception, menopause, vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence and abortion.
Interested?
For more information or to volunteer for any of these studies, please call 503 494-3666 or email us and we will get back to you. Join our newsletter to be informed of upcoming opportunities.
