Participants Sought for UIUC Women’s Health Study

Volunteer women of childbearing age are sought to participate in a UIUC research study that is investigating the effects of vaginal biology on women’s health and disease susceptibility. This information will be used for development of new diagnostic technologies and treatments for vaginal disease. Participation in the study requires approximately 45-60 minutes in addition to an examination by a gynecologist or a nurse practitioner. Volunteers must complete a confidential medical history questionnaire and provide vaginal content, urine and blood samples during this appointment. Subjects may be eligible if over the age of 18, premenopausal, not pregnant, nursing or menstruating when they come in for the appointment. Subjects also must not have taken antimicrobial drugs for an infection in the last 60 days.

Purpose of the study: This research project is being conducted to understand more about the kinds of microbes that are present in the vagina of normally healthy women. Information from this study will be used to better understand the relationship between vaginal microbes, health and disease, and to develop better methods to diagnose and treat vaginal diseases.

Duration of study: Participation in this study will be limited to one visit. Participation in the study requires approximately 1 hour.

Compensation: Volunteers will receive $100 for completing the study and free, confidential screening for vaginal disease.

Procedures: Volunteers who consent to participate will be asked to complete a confidential questionnaire to provide information about their personal medical history and information regarding sexual practices that might affect the kinds of microbes present in their vagina. Volunteers will also be asked to provide some vaginal content samples, which will be collected by a physician at Carle Clinic. These will include swabs of the vaginal wall to collect loosely associated microbes, gently collected brushings of the vaginal wall to collect more adherent microbes, a rinse of the vaginal area with sterile saline solution (called a lavage) to collect samples for immunologic analysis, a urine sample, and one blood sample taken from the arm. The vaginal material will be used to determine which microbes are present. The Pap smear, urine sample, and blood sample will be used to test for sexually acquired diseases and also to assess your general health. Specimens and information from the questionnaire will be coded so that your privacy is protected.

Eligibility: This study is looking at the microbes present in the vagina of normally healthy women and those diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis by a Carle Clinic physician or nurse practitioner. Participants must be of childbearing age and over the age of 18.

It is important that volunteers NOT be:
Pregnant
Lactating (breast feeding)
Menopausal (or have had a hysterectomy)
Medicated with antimicrobial drugs for an infection in the last 60 days
Currently using spermicides for birth control

If you think you are eligible and are interested in participating in the study, please contact Barbara Hall at (217) 383-6199 or (217) 326-4508 for further information and instructions.