Exploring the delays to diagnosis of endometriosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the delays to diagnosis of endometriosis
IRAS ID
223380
Contact name
B Karavadra
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Endometriosis is a disease specific to women, whereby tissue that is normally found on the lining of the womb (uterus) is found outside the womb. This may include the ovaries, bowel or bladder. The most common symptoms that women will experience include abdominal or pelvic pain, pain on emptying the bowel, pain during or after sexual intercourse and painful periods. It can be treated with hormone therapy as well as surgery.
The objective of this study is to specifically assess the impact of pain and psychosexual problems in women who suffer from endometriosis. Initially, two groups of women will be interviewed; women who have had surgery for endometriosis and women who have had hormonal treatment for endometriosis. This is to examine if there are any differences in the day to day impact of pain and psychosexual problems between the two groups. Partners of women with endometriosis will in addition be interviewed in order to understand how the disease impacts relationships. Healthcare workers will also be interviewed in order to gain insight into how they approach women who present with psychosexual problems in the clinic as well as understand what support services are available to these women. Adolescent women who suffer from endometriosis and aged between sixteen to twenty years of age will also be interviewed. This is to see whether the health needs of younger women with endometriosis are different to that of other women.
Through the use of one to one semi-structured interviews, women with endometriosis, their partners and health care workers will be able to freely voice their opinions.
The ultimate aim is to use the information from the study to deliver a holistic and individualised pain and psychosexual health service within the National Health Service.REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1614
Date of REC Opinion
2 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion