New gel could ease menstrual cramps without pills
NCT ID NCT05752526
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-stage trial tested a vaginal gel containing diclofenac, a common pain reliever, in 42 women with painful periods. The gel is designed to deliver the drug locally, potentially reducing side effects. The study focused on safety and how much drug enters the blood and vaginal fluids, not yet on how well it works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- diclofenac vaginal gel
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new, localized option for managing period pain with potentially fewer side effects than oral painkillers.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 42 participants, focused on safety and drug levels, not on proving the gel actually relieves pain. The results may not lead to an effective treatment.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
42 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
May 2023
- Finished
-
Apr 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 50 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Females ages 18- 50 years old (inclusive) * Self-assessment of historic dysmenorrhea associated pain level of ≥ 5 on a scale of 0 - 10 in at least one of the following anatomic sites: pelvic/vaginal pain, low back pain, while not using NSAIDs or hormonal contraception. * Non-pregnant status * If applicable, agrees to be sexually abstinent and place nothing in the vagina during the 120 hours between visits 3 and 8 and the 3-day period of the multiple dose regimen. * Agrees to use adequate non-hormonal birth control during the trial (e.g. study provided male condoms without nonoxynol-9 lubricant, tubal sterilization, heterosexual abstinence) (Because hormonal birth control is a known off label treatment for dysmenorrhea, if the participant is on hormonal birth control other than Depo-Provera contraceptive injection, she agrees to discontinue it and have at least one spontaneous intervening menses before the start of the study period. If using Depo Provera, has not had an injection within the 4 months before Visit 1 and must have had a spontaneous menses prior to visit 2.) * Provides informed consent for participating in the trial * Willingness to use only study-provided oral paracetamol as rescue pain medication for dysmenorrhea, if needed according to investigator's instruction. * Patient is fluent in the English language. * Patient is capable of understanding and complying with the protocol and agrees to sign the informed consent document. * Patient has had a cervical screen performed within five years prior to Visit 1 and can provide documentation indicating normal test results consistent with Australian Health guidelines. If the patient cannot provide documentation, a cervical screen will be performed at Visit 1. Patients with abnormal findings will be excluded from study participation and be referred for follow-up medical care as appropriate. Exclusion Criteria: * Positive pregnancy test * Unwilling or unable to comply with protocol * Allergic to diclofenac or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) * Patients with severe liver, kidney or heart failure * After the use of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, asthma, nasal polyps, angioedema and urticaria have occurred in the past * Current active peptic ulcer bleeding or perforation * Have a history of significant upper gastrointestinal disease * Have a chronic pain syndrome other than dysmenorrhea which could confound preliminary efficacy data (e.g., chronic low back pain unrelated to menses) * Have a positive Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) test at screening for Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhea
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
PARC Clinical Research
Adelaide, Western Australia, Australia
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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