Hormones may shape how we feel pain, new study suggests
NCT ID NCT05787470
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at how hormones like testosterone and estradiol influence pain sensitivity in cisgender and transgender individuals. Researchers will test pain responses to heat, cold, and pressure, and analyze blood samples for hormone levels and immune markers. The goal is to understand biological factors behind pain differences, which could lead to better pain treatments in the future.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could reveal how hormones influence pain perception, potentially guiding personalized pain management approaches.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study with no treatment, so it won't directly change medical practice. Results may not apply to all populations.
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.
- Participants
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About 120 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2023
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Study population will be chosen from the general public within the Birmingham as well as participants recruited through the Birmingham Aids Outreach (BAO), Magic City Acceptance Center (MCAC) and the Transgender Advocates Knowledgeable Empowering (TAKE).
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * self-identification as one of the above gender identities * understanding of verbal and written English. * participants that have been on/off hormone treatment for at least 6 months Exclusion Criteria: * pain in at least 3/7 days/week for the past 3 months * HIV positive diagnosis * cardiovascular or pulmonary disease * regular use of opioid pain medications * uncontrolled hypertension (i.e. SBP/DBP of \> 150/95) * current illness accompanied by fever (body temperature \>38 °C) * prostatectomy, hysterectomy or oophorectomy * hospitalization due to psychiatric illness within the last 6 months.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Alabama at Birmingham
RECRUITINGBirmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States
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