Whole-body cryotherapy for pelvic pain in people with endometriosis
Tests very cold air exposure for pain in people with endometriosis.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Whole-Body Cryotherapy as a Non-Pharmacological Treatment to Reduce Chronic Pelvic Pain and Improve Quality of Life in People With Endometriosis
Key facts
- Where
- Edinburgh, United KingdomSee the site
Where in United Kingdom
- Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh and Royal Infirmary of EdinburghEdinburgh, United KingdomTaking 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
- University of Edinburgh
- Trial code
- NCT07603960
- Record updated
- 22 May 2026
- Original description
The aim of this study is to investigate whether whole-body cryotherapy (a brief exposure to very cold temperatures) can help reduce pain and improve quality of life in people living with endometriosis, and whether it may represent a safe, non-pharmacological approach to managing endometriosis-related symptoms.Read full original descriptionShow less
An Exploratory Clinical Trial to Determine the Impact of Whole-body Cryotherapy on Endometriosis-associated Pain
The aim of this study is to investigate whether whole-body cryotherapy (a brief exposure to very cold temperatures) can help reduce pain and improve quality of life in people living with endometriosis, and whether it may represent a safe, non-pharmacological approach to managing endometriosis-related symptoms.
Up to 30 participants with symptomatic endometriosis (chronic pelvic pain for more than six months) will be recruited over a 12-month period. Participants will attend two study visits at the hospital, approximately four weeks apart. Between these visits, participants will undergo five whole-body cryotherapy sessions, each lasting approximately 3 minutes. During cryotherapy, participants stand in a specialised chamber where the body is briefly exposed to cold, dry air (around -120°C).
During the study, will be assessed changes in systemic inflammation and biological markers using blood, saliva, urine, vaginal, and stool samples. Data will be collected using questionnaires evaluating pain and related symptoms, quality of life, sleep, fatigue, intestinal symptoms, and overall wellbeing.
The active study phase lasts approximately 4-6 weeks. A final follow-up assessment at 15 weeks will be conducted remotely using questionnaires and self-collected samples.
Inclusion: Women or assigned female at birth; Aged 16 or over; Endometriosis identified at laparoscopy or imaging, performed within the last ten years; Chronic pelvic pain for more than six months; Willing to comply with the treatment; Willing to use effective contraception throughout the trial (if needed); Willing and able to give informed consent.
Exclusion: Previous hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy; Previous venous thromboembolism or peripheral artery occlusive disease; Intoxication (alcohol, drugs); Raynaud's Disease; Current treatment for malignancy; Diabetes; Cardiovascular disease: severe hypertension (180/100, unstable angina, arrhythmia, recent (<6months) myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease, cardiac pacemaker, recent (<6months) stroke or transient ischaemic attack); Acute kidney and urinary tract diseases; Open wounds or ulcers, large-area bacterial and viral skin infections; Uncontrolled seizure disorder; Known coagulopathy (eg von Willibrand disease, haemophilia); Acute infections and fever; Signs or symptoms of cold allergy; Severe wasting diseases; Known Hepatitis B/C and/or HIV (due to Royal Mail restrictions on biospecimen postage); Pregnant, breastfeeding or actively trying to get pregnant; Post-menopausal (no periods for >12 months and not taking hormonal treatments to prevent periods, or bilateral oophorectomy performed); Known hypothyroidism; Pre-existing or current diagnosis of anaemia; Cryoglobulinemia; Cold urticaria; Livedo reticularis; Severe claustrophobia.