Overview/Mission
GHDB aims to improve women’s reproductive health by guiding and supporting gynecologic research and career development programs in pursuit of a future in which women lead lives free of the effects of gynecologic disorders.
The branch portfolio includes studies of healthy functioning endometrium and typical menstruation, as well as menstrual problems and pain, especially related to gynecologic disorders such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, and polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition to their association with other overall health problems, these disorders may affect fertility potential, delay pregnancy, and contribute to maternal morbidity and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The branch also has an interest in pelvic organ prolapse as well as urinary and fecal incontinence related to pelvic floor dysfunction. Obstetric fistula and female genital cutting, which affect international and U.S. immigrant communities, are also areas of interest.
Highlights
- Our branch is hiring! Visit the NICHD Jobs page to learn more about our program officer listings.
RADx® Tech ACT ENDO Challenge: Learn about this $3 million prize competition to shorten the time to diagnosis for endometriosis, eliminate the invasiveness of current techniques, and/or improve accessibility, safety, convenience, and costs of diagnosis.
- NICHD Women’s Health Research Fact Sheets
- Uterine Fibroids and Women’s Health. Learn about NICHD support of research on uterine fibroids and women's health, and review some recent advances in understanding, diagnosing, and treating them.
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Women's Health. Learn about NICHD support of research on ART and women's health, and review some recent advances in advancing ART methods, achieving optimal conditions for ART, and understanding its long-term effects.
- Pelvic Floor Disorders (PFDs) and Women’s Health. Learn about NICHD support of research on PFDs and women's health, and review some recent advances in understanding, diagnosing, and treating these conditions.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Women's Health. Learn about NICHD support of research on PCOS and women's health, and review some recent advances in understanding, diagnosing, and treating this condition.
- Infertility and Women's Health. Learn about NICHD support of research on infertility and learn about some recent advances in understanding, diagnosing, and treating this common condition in males and females.
- Endometriosis and Women's Health. Learn about NICHD support of research on endometriosis and learn about some recent advances in understanding, diagnosing, and treating this common gynecologic condition.
- Femtech Small Businesses and Women's Health. Learn about NICHD support for small business projects in "femtech," health care technology that focuses on women's health.
- COVID-19 and Women’s Health. Learn about NICHD research on the effects of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines on women’s health, fertility, and pregnancy.
- Get to Know NICHD! Learn more about what inspired GHDB Chief Dr. Candace Tingen to pursue science and how her decisions and experiences led her to her career with NICHD.
- Third Annual Gynecologic Pain Research Virtual Meeting. This virtual meeting brought together investigators in the field of gynecology and pain research to facilitate collaboration and networking. During this event, participants shared ideas and discussed emerging trends within gynecologic pain research and within the wider field of chronic pain research as it relates to gynecologic pain. Additionally, staff from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided an overview of the FDA review of gynecological devices and investigational new drug processes. Visit the meeting page to access the meeting recording, speaker list, and agenda.
- Hot Topics and Emerging Trends in Gynecologic Pain Research. At this meeting, held March 2, 2022, investigators in the field of gynecologic pain research presented on emerging topics within their fields of expertise and discussed progress, successes, challenges, gaps, and potential future directions within both gynecologic pain research and the wider field of chronic pain research as it relates to gynecologic pain. Access the meeting recording or the meeting agenda (PDF 161 KB) for more information and links to speaker bios.
- Physiomimetics and Organoids for Reproductive Health. At this workshop, held September 23-24, 2021, multidisciplinary experts on physiomimetics, sometimes called “organs-on-a-chip,” and organioids—complex, self-organized 3D-cell culture models that derive from stem/progenitor cells and maintain tissue-like architecture and structure—discussed applications of these technologies for reproductive health research. Access recordings from Day 1
and Day 2
, or the meeting summary (PDF 469 KB) for additional information.
- Advancing Bioprinting and Regenerative Medicine Solutions for Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Pediatric Applications Workshop. At this workshop, held November 16-17, 2021, multidisciplinary experts in regenerative medicine research came together for a transdisciplinary discussion on the state-of-the-art of tissue-construct manufacturing using 3D printing of biological, cellular, and tissue-based products (a.k.a., bioprinting) and regenerative medicine in the context of obstetric, gynecologic, and pediatric applications.
- Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. Former GHDB Chief Dr. Lisa Halvorson served as one of the guest editors as well as author of two articles in the November 2020 issue of New Perspectives on Adenomyosis (PMID: 33232984). Adenomyosis, defined as the presence of endometrial tissue within the uterine muscle (myometrium), is associated with pelvic pain, pressure symptoms on the bowel and bladder, atypical uterine bleeding, infertility, and pregnancy loss. The issue is a useful resource for clinicians and investigators and encourages increased study of this common disorder.
- Progression of Gynecologic Cancers: Report of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and NICHD workshop. GHDB and the Division of Cancer Prevention and the Division of Cancer Biology at NCI organized a workshop in April 2019 to explore current insights into the progression of gynecologic cancers from benign conditions. This report highlights the key questions and challenges that emerged from the working group discussions and presents potential research opportunities that may advance our understanding of the progression of gynecologic benign conditions to cancer. PMID: 32835714
- Revisiting Menstruation: The Misery, Mystery, and Marvel. GHDB Program Officer Dr. Candace Tingen and former Chief Dr. Lisa Halvorson are joined by NICHD Director Dr. Diana W. Bianchi to discuss the need for renewed research about menstruation and an end for stigma surrounding the topic. PMID: 32709301
- Menstruation: Science and Society. Speakers from the Menstruation: Science and Society meeting convened by GHDB in 2018 provide an enhanced meeting report, capturing the spectrum from when the basic processes of menstruation commence and role of stem and progenitor cells in monthly regeneration to how dysregulation leads to abnormal uterine bleeding and other menstruation-related disorders such as adenomyosis, endometriosis, and fibroids to the clinical challenges in diagnostics, treatment, and patient and societal education. The work concludes with an overview of how the global agenda concerning menstruation, and specifically menstrual health and hygiene, are gaining momentum, ranging from increasing investment in addressing menstruation-related barriers facing girls in schools in low- to middle-income countries to the more recent “menstrual equity” and “period poverty” movements spreading across high-income countries. PMID: 32707266
- Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders: Information for New Moms:
NICHD grantees at the University of Utah worked with the American Urogynecology Society to create a series of videos and educational information about changes to pelvic floor health that new moms may experience. The information, available in English and Spanish, includes some common changes, possible symptoms, and tips for when to talk with a health care provider. The series also offers stories from moms about their experiences and the treatments that worked for them.
- How to Work Out Your Pelvic Floor (and Why Everyone Should):
Dr. Donna Mazloomdoost, program director of the NICHD PFDN, offers insight on the importance of a strong pelvic floor and suggestions for how women can improve their pelvic floor strength.
- Menstruation as a Diagnostic Tool for Women's Health (Podcast): GHDB Program Officer Dr. Candace Tingen spoke with NICHD Milestones about the science behind using a woman's menstrual cycle as a diagnostic tool.
- Gynecologic Health and Disease Research at NICHD: A Scientific Vision (PDF 2 MB)
Learn more about the scientific portfolio of the branch and its planned research directions.