Want to help future generations of women? Getting involved in women's health research might be an option for you.
Research to gain and test knowledge is a critical part of the work of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health in helping women, girls and gender-diverse people to live full and healthy lives. On this page, you will find opportunities to be involved in research conducted by Jean Hailes partners, as well as some important research studies we are helping to promote.
Researchers are always trying to find better ways to help people stay healthy and well, or, for those with a disease or health problem, to have the best health ‘outcomes’ (meaning the disease has as little effect on the person’s quality of life as possible).
Research studies use volunteers to understand how people behave or think, or to carefully test new medicines, therapies, products, devices or information and education. All research studies in Australia are very strictly controlled to keep volunteers safe.
Researchers need volunteers who have a particular disease or health problem, and they often also need people who do not have that disease or health problem so that they can compare people with and without the disease or health problem.
There are different types of research studies. Some studies might involve simple tasks like filling in a survey, taking part in a focus group or being ‘observed’ while you complete tasks over time. Other studies, often called ‘clinical trials’, are more involved and require scans, blood tests or taking medicines.
Being part of a research study is a great way to help improve the health and wellbeing of future generations of women, girls and gender-diverse people. For example, your involvement might help improve what information is shared, and how it is shared, so that more people can benefit from new knowledge.
If you have a particular disease or health problem, you might also get a direct personal benefit. You might learn more about your own health, get access to new treatments before they are widely available, or get additional support and attention from researchers who really understand your disease or condition.
Choosing to join a study is a personal decision. Before you join a study, learn about what you will be asked to do and how much time this might take. Also ask about possible risks and benefits. Researchers can provide you with a ‘plain language explanation’ of the study which will help you with your decision.
Only studies that have received ethics approval from their relevant Human Research Ethics Committee are featured here. Human Research Ethics Committees review research studies involving human participants to ensure that they are ethically acceptable.
For more information (and to search for all clinical trials seeking volunteers), please visit Australian Clinical Trials.
Researchers are comparing an online mindfulness-based intervention for insomnia with a sleep hygiene program. This will help to determine whether such interventions are a helpful way to overcome some of the barriers to accessing sleep treatments for older adults.
If you are a woman over 55 years and residing in Australia, and you experience difficulties with going to sleep, waking at night or waking up early in the morning, you might be eligible to participate. You must have stable access to the internet and a computer, and you must be willing to complete an online sleep intervention program. By participating in the study, you will receive access to a self-paced online insomnia treatment program at no cost (normally $495).
Human research ethics approval: Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (#38104).
To participate, please register your interest.
Researchers are looking for women aged 18 to 45 years who are currently trying to conceive a baby or have tried in the past six months. The study aims to explore the pre-pregnancy diets of people with and without endometriosis. Participants will receive a free nutrition analysis summary and 15-minute session with a fertility dietitian to ask any nutrition questions.
Human research ethics approval: Monash University Ethics Committee (40311).
Researchers from Western Sydney University are looking for people with endometriosis to participate in a clinical trial testing two types of medicinal cannabis products on the symptoms of endometriosis. If you are aged over 18, live in New South Wales, and have a diagnosis of endometriosis, you may be eligible to participate.
Human research ethics approval: Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee (H15755).
Researchers are conducting a study to find out how stigma affects people with menstrual (period) pain. You may be eligible to participate in the online survey if you are currently living in Australia and aged between 18 and 45 years, have had at least one period in your life, and experience period pain at least occasionally.
Human research ethics approval: Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee (H16020).
Researchers at the University of Melbourne are looking for people who have had surgery to treat gynaecological cancer and now experience urinary incontinence. The study aims to test new treatments that may improve urinary incontinence after treatment for gynaecological cancer.
Human research ethics approval: Monash Health HREC (RES-21-0000-626A).
Researchers at Southern Cross University are looking for generally healthy adults aged 18 years and above with recurring cystitis or urinary tract infections (UTIs). The study aims to test a new treatment for recurrent UTIs and cystitis.
Human research ethics approval: Southern Cross University Ethics Committee (2023/151).