Pelvic Pain in Women With Endometriosis

This study will examine pelvic pain associated with endometriosis and explore better approaches to treatment. In women with endometriosis, uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. Standard treatments - altering hormone levels to prevent endometrial tissue growth or surgically removing endometrial tissue - treat pelvic pain only temporarily. This study will investigate the role of sex hormones, immune chemicals, stress hormones, and genes in pelvic pain and determine how the nerve, muscle, and skeletal systems are involved in this pain. Women between 18 and 50 years of age who:

• Examination of menstrual blood collected in a diaphragm for 4 hours.
• Blood sampling to measure adrenal and pituitary hormones. For this test, corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) is injected through an IV needle. Up to five blood samples are drawn, starting before the injection until 45 minutes after it. Blood is also collected at this time for genetic analysis.
• In-depth pain assessment to identify trigger points in muscles associated with pelvic pain, regions of skin sensitivity, and bone pain. Some women will undergo microdialysis, which uses an acupuncture-type needle to collect chemicals from two different muscles.
• Blood sampling twice a week for 1 month to measure changes in blood substances during the menstrual cycle.
• Blood sampling after the LH surge to measure progesterone levels.
• Cervicovaginal lavage (washing of the cervix with saline and collecting the fluid) to obtain secretions for research.
• Ultrasound of the ovaries and uterus. This examination uses a probe inserted into the vagina that emits sound waves that are used to form pictures of the internal structures. A small piece of uterine lining is also obtained for examination and research purposes.
• A visit with the members of the Pain and Palliative care service to evaluate the pain in anticipation of offering other treatments for pain after surgery.
• Surgery: CPP + Endo or CPP only: Laparoscopy to look for and remove endometrial tissue. This procedure is done under general anesthetic. A viewing instrument called a laparoscope is passed through an incision in the belly button to look for endometriosis. If it is found, two or more incisions are made in the abdomen for other instruments to remove the tissue. A small piece of uterine lining is also obtained for examination and research purposes. Healthy Volunteers: Laparoscopy to perform the tubal ligation. A tubal ligation, commonly known as "getting your tubes tied," is a surgical procedure for women to sterilize them. This procedure closes the fallopian tubes, stopping the egg from traveling from the ovary to the uterus and preventing sperm from reaching the fallopian tube to fertilize an egg. In a tubal ligation, fallopian tubes are cut, burned, or blocked with rings, bands or clips. The surgery is effective immediately. Tubal ligations are 99.5% effective as birth control. This procedure is done under general anesthetic. A viewing instrument called a laparoscope is passed through an incision in the belly button to perform a tubal ligation. Two or more incisions are made in the abdomen for other instruments to perform the procedure. During the laparoscopy, we will look for and remove endometrial tissue. A small piece of uterine lining is also obtained for examination and research purposes.
• Follow-up evaluations. Two weeks after surgery, patients return to NIH to discuss the surgical findings and treatment options. Follow-up visits are then scheduled at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery to complete questionnaires and determine if the treatment is working. Blood samples are drawn at each visit.