Endometrial Biopsy in Progestin Contraceptive Users

Overview

The purpose of the study is to learn more about menstrual changes in progestin contraception users. The investigators are hoping to find out what changes in the endometrium lead to different bleeding patterns during the first year of progestin contraception use. Participants will choose to receive the contraceptive implant (Etonogestrel implant also called Nexplanon) or the contraceptive injectable (Depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) also called Depo-Provera) for up to 12 months. They will be asked to have 4 endometrial biopsies over the course of the study, as well as blood draws, physical exams, and pregnancy tests. Participants will also use a daily text message or email diary to report bleeding patterns. This study's plan is to comprehensively phenotype bleeding patterns and profile the entire endometrium using single-cell RNA seq data (sCRNAseq).

Interventions

• Drug DMPA
  The participant will receive the contraceptive injectable, Depo-Provera at the enrollment visit and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Participants will have endometrial biopsies at the enrollment visits and at 3, 6, and 12 months.
• Drug Etonogestrel implant
  The participant will receive the contraceptive implant, Nexplanon at the enrollment visits and have endometrial biopsies at the enrollment visits and at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Primary outcome measures

• The proportion of participants who experienced endometrial changes [Time frame: Baseline to 6 months]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• 18-4 0 years of age at time of enrollment in good general health
• Regular menstrual cycles (25-35 day cycle length with bleeding 8 days or less)
• Body Mass Index of 19-35
• Confirmed ovulation with a screening serum progesterone of greater than 3ng/mL
• No contraindications to DMPA or hormonal implant

Exclusion criteria

• Hormonal or intrauterine contraceptives or other hormone use prior to start of study enrollment \[No oral hormonal contraceptives or other hormones for at least one month, no implantable contraceptives or hormonal or non-hormonal intrauterine device for at least two months (2 cycles), no injectable hormonal contraceptives or other hormones in past 9 months from the most recent injection and resumption of regular menstrual cycles\]. Of note, patients could have used an implant or DMPA in past but must have the same washout time periods as noted before.
• Any known uterine pathology (endometriosis, leiomyoma or adenomyosis; bacterial, fungal or viral infection, active cervicitis). For bacterial infection such as gonorrhea (GC) /chlamydia (CT) enrollment should be delayed until treatment complete. For vaginitis (bacterial vaginosis or yeast) enrollment can occur at time of diagnosis if patient prefers. Test of cure is not required to proceed with enrollment.
• Positive gonorrhea/chlamydia screening performed at screening visit, unless treated as noted above.
• Routine or chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs once daily or more 14 or more days per month)
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Currently pregnant or planning pregnancy during the study
• Less than 6 month postpartum or breastfeeding, post abortion 6 weeks, not breast/chest feeding (cessation 4-6 weeks from enrollment)
• Centers for Disease Control Medical Eligibility for Contraceptive use category 3 or 4 for contraceptive usage (Current or prior medical history of thrombosis or thromboembolic disorders, Liver tumors or active liver disease, Current or prior medical history of breast cancer, Hypertension defined as 160/100 or greater, Ischemic heart disease or multiple risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, Rheumatoid arthritis on immunosuppressive therapy, History of stroke, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Unexplained vaginal bleeding, Diabetes of greater than 20 years duration or with evidence with end-organ disease)
• Anticoagulation use
• Bleeding dyscrasia
• Use of P450 pathway inducing drug(s)
• Inability to tolerate uterine sounding (at screening visit)
• Chronic use of Cannabidiol, THC, or marijuana (More than 3 times per week). Of note, patients could have used Cannabidiol, THC, or marijuana chronically in past, but must have a washout time period of no use for at least one month prior to the study.
• Chronic use of cigarettes (More than 1 cigarette per week). Of note, patients could have used cigarettes chronically in past, but must have a washout time period of no use for at least six months prior to the study.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation

Non-randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

United States · 1 center

• OHSU — Portland

Identifiers

NCT: NCT05760144 · OHSU IRB 25084

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗