Tests ear nerve stimulation for chronic pelvic pain from endometriosis
Tests a non-invasive ear device for pelvic pain in people with endometriosis.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain Due to Endometriosis by Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Key facts
- Where
- Suresnes, FranceSee the site
Where in France
- Hopital FochSuresnes, FranceTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Hopital Foch
- Trial code
- NCT04177511
- Record updated
- 21 November 2025
- Original description
6-10% of women of childbearing age suffer from endometriosis, which is mainly manifested by dysmenorrhea, non-menstrual pelvic pain and dyspareunia. Several treatment strategies, including surgical ones, are proposed but they are sometimes insufficient because endometriosis-related pain is frequently accompanied by sensitization. Endometriosis surgery, when indicated, is therefore changeably effective, even though the lesions have been completely resected. Patients therefore consult Pain Units seeking for the effective treatment as the pain persist even after surgical management of endometriosis.Read full original descriptionShow less
Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain Due to Endometriosis by Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation
6-10% of women of childbearing age suffer from endometriosis, which is mainly manifested by dysmenorrhea, non-menstrual pelvic pain and dyspareunia. Several treatment strategies, including surgical ones, are proposed but they are sometimes insufficient because endometriosis-related pain is frequently accompanied by sensitization. Endometriosis surgery, when indicated, is therefore changeably effective, even though the lesions have been completely resected. Patients therefore consult Pain Units seeking for the effective treatment as the pain persist even after surgical management of endometriosis.
Vagus nerve stimulation is a non-invasive technique that includes an anti-inflammatory effect and a modulation of neurotransmitter production (adrenaline, norepinephrine; serotonin, acetylcholine). Yuan and Silberstein published a general review on the technique. Migraine and depression are one of the selected indications. In addition, Napadow et al. published favourable results in a short series of patients with chronic pelvic pain. The Investigators of this study have treated some patients with this technique with a result deemed satisfactory which leads to propose a randomized study to confirm this impression.
Inclusion: Women aged >= 15 years; With chronic pelvic pain and/ or dysmenorrhoea and/ or dyspareunia; Who has been cared for by a gynecologist in one of the institutions participating in the study; Diagnosed with endometriosis; Having signed an informed written consent; Affiliated to a health insurance scheme.
Exclusion: patient with atria trans vagal neurostimulation in the 12 months prior to inclusion; contraindication to the use of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (cardiac pathology, asthmatic patient); pregnant or breastfeeding women; patient undergoing in vitro fertilization; associated pathology requiring long-term analgesic treatment; patient deprived of liberty or under guardianship.