Longitudinal Study of Teenagers with Endometriosis, Period and Pelvic Pain (LongSTEPPP) Project
Research area: Population Health > Adolescent Health | Status: Active

We believe that periods shouldn't ruin your life.
LongSTEPPP stands for the Longitudinal Study of Teenagers with Endometriosis, Period and Pelvic Pain in Australia and is a 5-year study starting in 2022.
We believe that period and pelvic pain can be managed to prevent chronic pain and endometriosis.
Recruitment for LongSTEPPP is now open.
LongSTEPPP stands for the Longitudinal Study of Teenagers with Endometriosis, Period and Pelvic Pain in Australia and is a 5-year study starting in 2022.
We believe that period and pelvic pain can be managed to prevent chronic pain and...
LongSTEPPP stands for the Longitudinal Study of Teenagers with Endometriosis, Period and Pelvic Pain in Australia and is a 5-year study starting in 2022.
We believe that period and pelvic pain can be managed to prevent chronic pain and endometriosis.
Recruitment for LongSTEPPP is now open.
Overview
We are trying to find out how to best care for young people experiencing period or pelvic pain and endometriosis.
Most young people who have periods will experience some pain. For some people, this is manageable and will not change normal everyday activities. For others, the pain they experience will stop them from doing everyday activities and may impact their quality of life and mental health.
We believe that period and pelvic pain can be managed to prevent chronic pain and endometriosis. We want to measure and track periods, pain, quality of life and mental health in young people affected by period or pelvic pain and endometriosis.
Information for participants
The LongSTEPPP project is led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and combines yearly questionnaires with information collected by other services. This means it takes only a few hours of your time each year.
The LongSTEPPP project is led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and combines yearly questionnaires with information collected by other services. This means it takes only a few hours of your time each year.
Who can take part?
You may be eligible to take part in this study if you:
- Are aged between 10 -18 years
- Experience period pain, pelvic pain or endometriosis
- Have been referred to Gynaecologist (a doctor who specialises in women’s health)
- Live in Australia
We are currently recruiting young people and their parents/guardians to join LongSTEPPP.
Who cannot take part?
- If you have already seen a Gynaecologist
What will I do?
- Complete up to 8 questionnaires in the first year
- Complete between 6 to 7 questionnaires yearly for up to 5 years or until the end of 2027
- The parent/carer of the young person will be asked to complete 3 questionnaires yearly.
Optionally, young people and their female parent/guardian enrolling at some sites (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane) can take part in pain-orientated sensitivity testing.
Get involved
Register your interest in the LongSTEPPP project.
Research team
- Study Investigators: Professor Sonia Grover
- Project Coordinator: Dr Courtney Munro
- Study Nurses: Michelle Hartwell and Saranga Senanayake
Collaborators
- Deakin University
- Orygen
Funders
The work is supported by a grant from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Positions available
We are currently recruiting for a PhD student with a background in psychology or a related discipline to undertake postgraduate research into mental health trajectories in young people with period, pelvic pain, and endometriosis. Interested applications, please contact us using the details below.
Contact us
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
The Royal Children's Hospital
50 Flemington Road
Parkville VIC 3052
Australia
Ph: 0450707234
Email:
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