A WOMEN’S HEALTH RESEARCH STUDY
Put Your Period To Work For Endometriosis & Fibroids Research
Donate one menstrual fluid sample, collected at home, to help researchers study endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and other gynecologic conditions.
Fully remote ・ Currently menstruating ・ $100 for your time
Your period has something
researchers need.
THE SCIENCE
Endometriosis affects roughly 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, and up to 80% of women develop uterine fibroids by age 50. Yet both remain under-studied, in part because human uterine tissue is difficult for researchers to obtain. Menstrual fluid contains uterine cells and can be collected at home.
As part of this study, researchers may use your sample to grow small laboratory models of uterine tissue and store your sample for future research.*
No Clinic.
No Needles.
Five Simple Steps.
HOW IT WORKS
Everything happens from home, with no blood draws, medications, or in-person procedures.
See if you’re eligible
Complete a two-minute online screener.
1.
Complete consent and questionnaires
Review the informed consent form and answer questions about your health. Plan for about 30–45 minutes.
2.
3.
Get your collection kit
A menstrual cup, collection supplies, and prepaid return shipping are mailed to your home.
Collect during your next period
Use the supplied menstrual cup to collect your sample, ideally on day two or three of your period.
4.
Send it back
Refrigerate your sample, ship it within 24 hours, and receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card.
5.
WHO CAN JOIN
If You Have a Period, This Research May Need You
We're especially looking for women diagnosed with endometriosis or uterine fibroids, but you don't need either condition to participate. Researchers also need samples from women without these conditions.
You may be eligible if you:
Are 18–50 years old
Live in the United States
Are premenopausal and currently menstruating
In addition, you’ll need to be able to complete questionnaires and provide informed consent in English, use the provided menstrual cup to collect a sample, refrigerate and ship your sample within 24 hours, and share information about your menstrual, reproductive, gynecologic, and general health.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The study is sponsored by Opal Therapeutics, Inc. The eligibility screener is administered by Lasa Health, a research recruitment partner supporting Opal Therapeutics. Pearl IRB is the Institutional Review Board that reviewed the study to help protect the rights and welfare of participants.
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No. The study needs participants with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and participants without these conditions.
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Yes. Having an IUD does not disqualify you from this study. However, you must be currently menstruating and able to collect a menstrual sample. If your IUD has significantly reduced or stopped your period, you may not be able to meet the collection requirement. If you are unsure, we encourage you to complete the screener and the study team can help determine whether you are eligible.
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No experience needed. Your kit includes everything you need, plus step-by-step instructions.
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If your period is irregular, that’s okay. You’ll have up to four months after receiving your collection kit to collect your sample. Once collected, your sample needs to be shipped within 24 hours, so plan to collect on a day when you can ship it the next day.
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You'll receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card within 30 days after you complete the questionnaires and return your sample.
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Your sample and health information are coded, which means your name is replaced with a study number. The consent form explains exactly how your information is handled before you decide to join.
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Your sample is donated for research. Researchers may use your sample to grow small laboratory models of uterine tissue and store your sample for future research.* This is a research study, not medical testing or care, so you will not receive individual results or a diagnosis.
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If you have additional questions about this study, please contact research@opaltherapeutics.com
Ready to help? It starts with a two-minute screener.
One menstrual sample could contribute to a better understanding of endometriosis, fibroids, and uterine health.
Participation is voluntary
*Your sample will be coded, stored, and used for research, including genetic analysis. Cells may be grown into small laboratory models of uterine tissue, used for research only and never transplanted into anyone. Samples may be shared with academic and commercial research partners in coded form, and that research may lead to commercial products. Participants do not receive ownership or royalties. The consent form explains this in full before you decide.
Participation is voluntary
*Your sample will be coded, stored, and used for research, including genetic analysis. Cells may be grown into small laboratory models of uterine tissue, used for research only and never transplanted into anyone. Samples may be shared with academic and commercial research partners in coded form, and that research may lead to commercial products. Participants do not receive ownership or royalties. The consent form explains this in full before you decide.