Take part in a study
The studies below are currently recruiting with the aim of improving the lives of those who menstruate.
Menstrual studies based in NHS Lothian
The INFLO Study (Information for menstrual fluid)
WHY is it being done? This study aims to determine whether menstrual fluid can be used to confirm heavy periods and underlying causes.
WHAT is involved? Eligible participants will be asked to read the information leaflet provided and provide informed consent. Participants will be asked to provide a menstrual fluid sample (using a menstrual cup) and to collect all products (tampons/pads) used across one episode of menstruation. Participants will also be required to provide a venous blood sample. Participants also have the option of providing a sample of the lining of their womb (endometrial biopsy) at the time of menstruation. In addition, participants also have the option of collecting a vaginal swab and stool sample before and after their period for assessment of the microbiome and how this may influence menstrual bleeding.
WHERE is the study taking place? NHS Lothian
WHO can take part? Those who:
- Are able to provide informed consent
- Are aged 18-55 years
- Have regular periods (every 24-38 days)
- Are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Do not have a known gynaecological cancer
- Do not have known endometriosis
- Are not currently using any hormonal medication or intrauterine device or within the previous 2 months
- Are not currently using antibiotics (for those providing vaginal swabs/stool samples only)
Contact details
Laura Edwards (clinical research nurse) Laura.Edwards3@nhs.scot
Marianne Watters (clinical research fellow) Marianne.Watters@nhs.scot
The ERGO Study (The menstrual cycle and longer-term symptoms of Covid-19)
WHY is it being done? This study aims to determine if there are any effects of Long Covid on the ovarian hormones and/or the womb lining.
WHAT is involved? Eligible participants will be asked to read the information leaflet and provide informed consent. They will be asked to provide a blood sample and a sample of the lining of their womb (endometrial biopsy) at three points in their menstrual cycle. This involves attending the gynaecology department once during a period and twice more when not bleeding. Travel expenses will be covered.
WHERE is the study taking place? NHS Lothian
WHO can take part? Those who:
- Have symptoms of Long Covid (present for >4 weeks)
- Have regular periods (every 24-38 days)
- Are aged 18-55
- Are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are not using hormones, the copper IUD or oral steroids
- Do not have reproductive tract cancer, endometriosis or large fibroids
Contact details
Priscilla Fernandez (Clinical Research Nurse): 077880848079
The IMAGEN study (The impact of androgens on endometrial health)
WHY is it being done? The aim of this study is to determine the impact of androgen medications on the lining of the womb (e.g. in those undergoing gender reassignment).
WHAT is involved? This study is recruiting people who are having a hysterectomy who are taking androgens and those who are not (controls). Participants will be asked to provide a blood sample and a sample of the womb at the time of their hysterectomy. It does not alter the surgical procedure.
WHERE is this study taking place? NHS Lothian
WHO can take part? Those who
- are aged 18-55
- are having a hysterectomy
- are currently taking androgen therapy OR have not taken any hormone treatments in the last 2 months
Contact details
Dr Jackie Maybin Jackie.Maybin@ed.ac.uk
PEtAL Study
(Phenotyping the Endometrium in Adenomyosis and Leiomyoma): Understanding Local Mechanisms Involved in Uterine Bleeding and Endometrial Function
WHY is it being done? This study aims to understand the changes that are occurring in the womb at a cellular and molecular level, when women have heavy periods which are caused by fibroids (excess growth of the muscle layer of the womb) or adenomyosis (cells from the lining of the womb are found in the muscle layer of the womb).
WHAT is involved? Women attending the gynaecology services, for investigation or treatment of their heavy periods, may need a sampling of the lining of their womb (endometrial biopsy). For this study, we are asking if we can use any surplus tissue which is collected during this sampling. Tissue can also be collected when women are having an operation, such as hysterectomy (removal of the womb).
WHERE is the study taking place? NHS Lothian
WHO can take part?
- Women with regular menstrual cycles
- Women not taking hormonal medication
- Women with fibroids, adenomyosis or both
- Women with no found cause of their heavy periods
Contact details
Research Office: 0131 242 2483 (voicemail available)
Research Mobile: 07871 766031 (text service available)
Menstrual studies in other sites
Emotional Processing in People with Premenstrual Difficulties – Online Study
WHY is it being done? This study aims to explore whether individuals who have premenstrual difficulties process their emotions differently to those who don’t experience premenstrual difficulties. Our long-term aim is to help improve the current approach to diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and support for individuals who experience premenstrual difficulties.
WHAT is involved? Eligible participants will be asked to complete online questionnaires at 4 timepoints about their experience of premenstrual difficulties and other aspects of their mental health. Participants will be entered to win one of 20 x £50 vouchers.
WHERE is the study taking place? Online
WHO can take part? Those who:
- Are Women or AFAB individuals 18yo+
- Experience premenstrual difficulties (PMS or PMDD)
- Have regular periods (21-35 days) and have had a period within the last 90 days.
- Are not taking SSRI’s or any hormone influencing medications (hormonal contraceptives such as the pill, patch, implant, injection and vaginal ring, as well as meds like testosterone for gender confirmation treatment).
- Are not pregnant, breastfeeding, currently in menopause, or have gynaecological diseases such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome.
HOW to take part: Contact Trainee Clinical Psychologist Ellen Lambert (ellen.r.lambert@kcl.ac.uk) for further information and to apply.
Dressed for School is a European project developed in partnership with the French National Museum of Education and Heriot Watt University (communicated in an exhibition and publication in September 2021).
WHY is it being done? This interdisciplinary research questions the interactions between children and their clothes in the School environment from the 19th century onwards, in Western societies. As part of this research, the current question of gender construction and social inequalities in countries where the School uniform is the norm, such as Scotland and the UK, will be addressed. This will include a particular insight into the way the first menstruations may affect the feelings and comfort of young Scottish girls, sometimes in their final years of primary school, surrounded with younger children and lacking adapted spaces and gender privacy. The reaction of the institution and of children, will be analysed via the potential adaptation of the school uniforms to this morphologic and social change.
WHAT is involved? Researchers would like to organise a series of focus groups to discuss these topics.
WHO can take part? Anyone with experience working with pre-teens (e.g. teachers, children, health and well-being officers) who are interested in this topic should contact the team to discuss running a focus group.
Contact details