Center for Research in Reproduction
Clinical Research Studies
The Center for Research in Reproduction is currently recruiting women with PCOS and women with regular menses, as well as adolescents with and without hyperandrogenemia (elevated levels for male hormones), for clinical research studies to determine the cause of PCOS.
Studies for Women
Study #1:
"Examination of the Efficacy of Repeated Courses of Physiologic Mid-luteal Estrogen and Progesterone in Producing Ovulatory Cycles in Women with Polycystic Ovary Disease" (HIC# 5521)
Female volunteers, 18 to 35 years old, with PCOS are needed for a research study investigating the effects of repeated courses of estrogen and progesterone in producing ovulation. Participants should have a history of less than 6 menstrual cycles per year, increased facial and body hair, and infertility problems. Participants must not have taken oral contraceptive pills or hormone treatment for 3 months prior to enrollment. The study includes a screening physical exam and blood work, 10-15 outpatient visits, and 2 overnight admissions to the University of Virginia Hospital at no charge. Contact Lauren Lockhart at pcos@virginia.edu or (434) 243-6911 for more information.
Study #2:
"Evaluation of the Effect of Androgens on Hypothalamic Opioid Tone in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" (HIC# 8587)
Female volunteers, 18 to 35 years old, with PCOS are needed for a research study investigating the effects of elevated levels of male hormones on the hypothalamus (part of the brain that controls ovulation) and the pituitary gland. Participants should have a history of less than 6 menstrual cycles per year, increased facial and body hair, or infertility problems. Participants must not have taken oral contraceptive pills or hormone treatment for 3 months prior to enrollment. The study includes a screening physical exam and blood work, study medication for 5 weeks, and 2 overnight admissions to the University of Virginia Hospital at no charge. Participants will receive $200 compensation at study completion. Contact Lauren Lockhart at pcos@virginia.edu or (434) 243-6911 for more information.
Study #3:
"Endometrial function in PCOS: effects of hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenemia on receptor expression" (HIC# 8966)
Female volunteers, 18 to 35 years old, with PCOS are needed for a research study investigating endometrial function (the lining of the uterus). Participants should have a history of less than 6 menstrual cycles per year, increased facial and body hair, or infertility problems. Participants must not have taken oral contraceptive pills or hormone treatment for 3 months prior to enrollment. The study includes a screening physical exam and blood work, study medications for 5 weeks, and 3 endometrial biopsies at no charge. Participants will receive $200 compensation at study completion. Contact Lauren Lockhart at pcos@virginia.edu or (434) 243-6911 for more information.
Healthy women, 18 to 35 years old, are also needed for a research study investigating endometrial function in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Participants must have regular menstrual cycles and must not be taking oral contraceptive pills. The study includes a screening physical exam and blood work, study medications for 5 weeks, and 3 endometrial biopsies at no charge. Participants will receive $200 compensation at study completion. Contact Lauren Lockhart at pcos@virginia.edu or (434) 243-6911 for more information.
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Studies for Adolescents
Study #4:
"Hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator sensitivity to progesterone inhibition in normal and hyperandrogenemic adolescent girls" (HIC# 8588)
Adolescent girls with excess facial and body hair and/or irregular periods are needed for a research study investigating progesterone (an ovulation hormone) sensitivity in adolescent girls. Volunteers must be within two years from the start of their first menstrual period, not taking birth control pills, and must have parental consent to participate. The study includes a screening physical exam and blood work, two outpatient visits, and two overnight admissions to the University of Virginia Hospital at no charge. Participants will receive a $75 gift certificate to The Gap clothing store at study completion. Contact Lauren Lockhart at pcos@virginia.edu or (434) 243-6911 for more information.
Healthy adolescent girls are also needed for a research study investigating progesterone sensitivity in adolescent girls. Volunteers must be within two years from the start of their first menstrual period, not taking birth control pills, and must have parental consent to participate. The study includes a screening physical exam and blood work, two outpatient visits, and two overnight admissions to the University of Virginia Hospital at no charge. Participants will receive a $75 gift certificate to The Gap clothing store at study completion. Contact Lauren Lockhart at pcos@virginia.edu or (434) 243-6911 for more information.
Study #5:
"Assessment of nocturnal secretion of progesterone, testosterone, estradiol, LH, and FSH secretion during pubertal maturation in adolescent girls with and without exposure to elevated androgens" (HIC# 9868)
Adolescent girls with excess facial and body hair and/or irregular periods are needed for a research study investigating pituitary and ovarian hormone secretion in adolescent girls. Volunteers must be before the start of their periods or within two years from the start of their first menstrual period, not taking birth control pills, and must have parental consent to participate. The study includes a screening physical exam and blood work, and one overnight admission to the University of Virginia Hospital at no charge. Participants will receive a $75 gift certificate to The Gap clothing store at study completion. Contact Lauren Lockhart at pcos@virginia.edu or (434) 243-6911 for more information.
Healthy adolescent girls are also needed for a research study investigating pituitary and ovarian hormone secretion in adolescent girls. Volunteers must be before the start of their periods or within two years from the start of their first menstrual period, not taking birth control pills, and must have parental consent to participate. The study includes a screening physical exam and blood work, and one overnight admission to the University of Virginia Hospital at no charge. Participants will receive a $75 gift certificate to The Gap clothing store at study completion. Contact Lauren Lockhart at pcos@virginia.edu or (434) 243-6911 for more information.
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Collaborative Studies with VCU in Richmond, VA
Virginia Commonwealth University is currently sponsoring a number of research studies for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and for women with regular menses (normal controls). Studies are available for women with PCOS who desire or do not desire pregnancy, as well as for normal control women and for postmenopausal women. If you are interested in more information about or in volunteering for one of these studies, please visit the Virginia Commonwealth University PCOS Research page.
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