Magee Women's Research Institute ~ Pittsburgh, PA [Archive]

mmm40

2-28-2008, 2:00 PM

http://institute.mwrif.org/fpr/

The Center for Family Planning Research performs clinical research trials related to the development of new contraceptive methods and abortion techniques. The field of family planning addresses the needs and desires of women and men to control if and when they desire to become pregnant. The goal of developing new contraceptive technologies is to find ways to prevent pregnancies that are safer, easier to use, and more effective than our current methods. Much of the research we do has significant impact on the use and availability of contraceptives in developing countries. At the same time, we work to find contraceptives that also help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).

Overall, our work will help women and men avoid unintended pregnancies. In that way, we hope that women who become pregnant can do so at a time when they are able to best maximize the chances of a happy and healthy pregnancy. However, when an unintended pregnancy occurs, women still have a choice. We also strive to help those women who choose not to continue their pregnancy by developing new and potentially safer methods of terminating their pregnancy.
The Center for Family Planning Research at the Magee-Womens Research Institute was created in 1994. The staff includes physicians, a Physician Assistant, a Nurse Practitioner, and several Research Assistants.

mmm40

2-28-2008, 2:01 PM

Vaginal Ring Study

http://institute.mwrif.org/fpr/viewpage.asp?siteID=4221543&pageID=548372

PARTICIPATION: Women between the ages of 18 and 39 who are willing to use a vaginal ring as their main birth control method for one year may be eligible for this stduy. Participants may be currently using the pill, patch, or ring, or may be willing to start using the ring for birth control.

DESCRIPTION: Investigators are looking at how well this new vaginal ring works to prevent pregnancy. You will use the same ring each month for ne full year. We also are evaluating cycle control, bleeding patterns, and side effects of this new vaginal ring.

The study involves seven visits to Magee-Womens Hospital over a 13-month period. The initial visit will involve fasting lab work, a medical history, and a pelvic exam. Participants may receive up to a total of $400 for completing the study.

PARTICIPATION: Women between the ages of 18 – 45 who are using a non hormonal method of birth control (may be using Paragard® IUD, effective barrier method, female sterilization or abstinence, or be sexually active with a vasectomized partner).

Tenofovir Study

http://institute.mwrif.org/fpr/viewpage.asp?siteID=4221543&pageID=548417

DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this research study is to study the safety of a new vaginal gel. This gel contains a medicine called Tenofovir, a drug that is used to treat HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The drug has been put into a jelly that can be used in the vagina. The hope is that this gel will prevent women from catching HIV from sex. We are conducting a research study on this new type of gel to make sure it is safe and well tolerated by women. This study will also make sure that the drug is absorbed into the vagina and to see how much, if any, of the drug is absorbed into the blood stream.

The study involves approximately 8 visits to Magee-Womens Hospital over 3 months. Participants may receive up to $1,100 for completing the study

Postplacental IUD (POPI) Study

http://institute.mwrif.org/fpr/viewpage.asp?siteID=4221543&pageID=548477

PARTICIPATION: Women aged 18 or older who are currently pregnant and are interested in using the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD (Mirena IUD) as their main birth control method postpartum may be eligible for this study.

DESCRIPTION: Investigators are looking at how many women are using the IUD at 6 months when the IUD is placed immediately after vaginal delivery (after delivery of the placenta) compared to delayed insertion 6 - 8 weeks later. Women will be randomized to immediate postplacental IUD insertion or delayed insertion when they are admitted to the labor suite.

The study involves an enrollment visit, a visit at 6 - 8 weeks, a brief telephone interview at 3 months, and a visit at 6 months. The IUD will be inserted immediately after delivery of the placenta in half of the women in the study. Participants may receive up to a total of $110 for completing the study.

Cytokines Study

http://institute.mwrif.org/fpr/viewpage.asp?siteID=4221543&pageID=548957

PARTICIPATION: Women between the ages of 18 and 50 with regular menstrual cycles and are willing to abstain from intercourse during the study.

DESCRIPTION: Investigators are looking at how spermicides affect your vagina and cervix. This study will include a spermicide that you can buy at a local drugstore (nonoxynol-9), a spermicide that is still experimental (cellulose sulfate), and a gel that has no spermicide.

The study will involve six visits to Magee-Womens Hospital over a three-month period. The initial visit will include a medical history and a pelvic exam. Participants may receive up to $400 at the completion of the study.

C31G Non-Hormonal Spermicide Study

http://institute.mwrif.org/viewpage.asp?siteID=4221543&pageID=547982

PARTICIPATION: Women between the ages of 18 and 40 who are in a mutually monogamous relationship for at least 4 months, not breastfeeding, and willing to use spermicide as the only form of birth control may be eligible for this study.

DESCRIPTION: Investigators are looking at how safe and how well women like a new spermicide called C31G. This new spermicide will be compared to Conceptrol Gel, an already approved spermicide, to examine how well it prevents pregnancy.

The study will involve four visits to Magee-Womens Hospital over a six-month period. The initial visit will include a medical history, pelvic exam, and routine blood test. Participants may receive up to $350 at the completion of the study.