The NICHD funds and conducts research on many disorders that affect a woman's ability to get pregnant. Some of these conditions include:

Endometriosis
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)/Ovarian Insufficiency
Uterine Fibroids

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue like that lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. The two most common symptoms, pain and infertility, can deeply affect a woman's quality of life. In many cases, women who receive treatment for their endometriosis pain are able to get pregnant. But this is not the case for all women. Researchers estimate that nearly 5.5 million women in North America have endometriosis.

Endometriosis is not a cancerous condition. Also, current research does not prove an association between endometriosis and uterine, cervical, endometrial, or ovarian cancers.

The NICHD conducts and supports a great deal of research on endometriosis and on possible treatments for the condition. The NICHD's publications, Endometriosis and La Endometriosis (Spanish), describe what is currently known about the condition and outline some possible treatments.

In addition to clinical trials related to endometriosis, the NIH and NICHD are working with the Endometriosis Association to identify women to participate in a research study about pain related to endometriosis. For information on the study, visit http://endometriosis.nichd.nih.gov. 

For information on the study, visit http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Endometriosis.cfm.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility.

PCOS is a condition in which a woman’s ovaries and, in some cases the adrenal glands, produce more androgens (a type of hormone) than normal. High levels of these hormones interfere with the development and release of eggs as part of ovulation. As a result, fluid-filled sacs or cysts can develop on the ovaries.

Researchers estimate that 5 percent to 10 percent of women in the United States have PCOS.

Research shows that women with PCOS are also at higher risk than women without the disorder to experience other health problems, such as insulin resistance, obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Although researchers are still trying to learn about this disease, and to find ways to treat the infertility associated with PCOS, there have been some promising leads. One group of NICHD-supported researchers may have found a possible treatment for the infertility related to PCOS. To learn more about this and other research findings, read the news releases on PCOS. The NICHD also publishes a booklet about PCOS, PCOS Infertility and Beyond.

The NICHD's Reproductive Sciences Branch, through its Reproductive Medicine Network (RMN) is currently conducting a clinical trial for the treatment of infertility related to PCOS. The RMN Web site provides more information on this trial and on the RMN itself. In addition, the NIH is conducting a number of clinical trials on different aspects of PCOS.

For more information about PCOS, please visit http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Polycystic_Ovary_Syndrome.cfm.

Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)/Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

Health care providers use the terms POF or POI to describe a stop in normal functioning of the ovaries in a woman under the age of 40. (Women's ovary function naturally begins to decline at age 40). In POF, the ovaries stop making eggs and stop making certain hormones. An estimated 250,000 women under age 40 have POF in the United States.

Health care providers used to call this condition premature menopause, but premature ovarian failure is actually much different than menopause.

The NICHD booklet, Do I Have Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)? describes what is currently known about POF, what treatments are available, and what research is being conducted on this topic. The free booklet also provides contacts and resources that can offer more information about POF. The booklet is also available in Spanish, Tengo Falla Ovarica Prematura.

The NICHD is currently conducting a clinical trial on POF/POI through its Division of Intramural Research. In addition, the NICHD and other Institutes are conducting several clinical trials related to POF.

For more information on POF/POI, please visit http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Premature_Ovarian_Failure.cfm.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are the most common, non-cancerous tumors in women of childbearing age. These tumors are made of muscle cells and other tissues that grow within the wall of the uterus.

Uterine fibroids are the cause of more than 200,000 hysterectomies each year.

Uterine fibroids are not cancerous, nor are they associated with cancer. In very rare instances, less than 0.1 percent of cases, fibroids do develop into cancer.

The NICHD is studying the causes and characteristics of uterine fibroids, in an effort to find new treatments for the condition. The Institute's publications, Uterine Fibroids and Fibromas Uterinos (Spanish), provide patient information about this condition.

The NICHD leads the NIH Fibroid Treatment Study through its Division of Intramural Research.

The NICHD and other Institutes are conducting clinical trials related to uterine fibroids.

For more information about uterine fibroids, please visit http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Uterine_Fibroids.cfm.