A Comparison of Pelvic Floor Connective Tissue Remodeling in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women Study
Principal Investigator: Pamela Moalli MD, PhD
PARTICIPATION:
This study applies to women over the age of 25. Women in premenopausal groups must have regular periods over the previous 12 months and postmenopausal women must have no menstruation over the previous 12 months. Those on hormone therapy must have been on it for at least the previous 12 months, and those not must have been off for at least the previous 12 months.
Recruitment for this study primarily takes place in the pre-operational area at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.
DESCRIPTION:
Vaginal and arcus tendineous tissue biopsies are collected from both pre- and post- menopausal women, with and without prolapse. These biopsies are then analyzed to determine differences in these tissues among the different subsets of women. Specifically, we are interested in the structural proteins that confer the properties of strength (collagen) and resilience (elastin) as well as the enzymes that regulate their synthesis and breakdown.
We are not compensating our participants, but we will provide free parking in the Montefiore parking garage or bus tickets for all visits to the research office.