Do you experience endometriosis related pain and fatigue?

Endometriosis affects over 360,000 Australians and is the most common cause of chronic pelvic pain for women. Current non-surgical treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, oral contraceptive pills and hormonal treatments have limited effectiveness and the side-effect profile can be troublesome for many women.

NICM researchers are seeking participants to be involved in a clinical trial examining the effectiveness of a modified traditional Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis related pain and fatigue.

Who can join?

• Women aged 18-45 years living in Australia.
• Women who:
  • Have a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis via laparoscopy in the last five years.
  • Have moderate to severe pelvic pain on a regular basis.
  • Are not pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant in the next three months.
  • Have not had surgery on your abdomen in the last six months.
  • Have not started or stopped any treatments for your endometriosis in the last six months.

What's involved?

• After an initial assessment and consent, you will:
  • Complete a short online diary once a day for a month, to evaluate your eligibility to participate in this clinical trial and to assess your current level of endometriosis related pain.
  • Have blood taken to assess your liver and kidney function.
• Participants will be randomly allocated into a treatment group (active or placebo). Over the three-month study, participants will be asked to:
• Take six capsules per day.
• Complete a short online diary form once a day.
• After treatment:
  • Have blood taken.
  • Complete a short online questionnaire one month after the last capsule.

What are the benefits of participating?

• If you currently experience endometriosis related chronic pelvic pain you may get a reduction in either your pelvic pain or fatigue from taking the study medication.
• Once you have completed the study, and if you were in the placebo group, you are eligible to receive a three month complimentary supply of the active treatment.

For more details about this study please read the following information before deciding on whether to participate or not.

• Participation Information Sheet and Consent Form (PDF, 323 KB) (opens in a new window)

Interested in participating in this study?

In order to confirm your eligibility and register your interest, please complete the online screening form below.

• Online screening form for endometriosis study (opens in a new window)

For more information please contact:

Mahmoud Al-Dabbas
NICM Research Officer
e. m.al-dabbas@westernsydney.edu.au
p. (02) 9685 4736
m. 0414 357 363

Human Research Ethics Committee Approval: This clinical trial has been approved by Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval Number: H13256).

This study is supported by a Partnership Grant between Metagenics and Western Sydney University.

Chief Investigator: Dr Mike Armour, NICM Health Research Institute