Who can participate?
Women 18 to 45 years old who have been diagnosed with endometriosis may be eligible to participate.
What will happen in the study?
This study can be completed at home. A member of the study staff will talk to you by phone about the study, review the consent form with you to be sure that all of your questions are answered, and obtain your consent to participate in the study.
If eligible to participate, we will mail you a kit with a reusable menstrual cup (often called a DivaCup®) or comparable collection method. The menstrual cup is a flexible healthcare grade silicone cup worn inside the vagina to collect menstrual blood.
You will:
- Be asked to collect one sample of menstrual fluid for a 6- to 12-hour period using the reusable menstrual cup by inserting it and removing it similar to a tampon
- Complete a form which asks gynecological questions about your menstrual history
- Return the sample and completed form in a provided pre-paid shipping package
- Be asked to allow access to your medical records in the future. We will only collect information that is needed for research, such as date of onset of endometriosis, disease duration, clinical characteristics of your disease, medications and results of lab tests and x-rays
We will store your samples and information in a biobank to be used for approved studies.
Will you/your child be paid to be in this research study?
Participants will receive a $25 gift card and the menstrual cup which can be used instead of a tampon and/or pads for menstrual cycles ($30 to $40 value).