Woman's exceptional care, centered on you
Woman's Research
The research division of Woman’s Hospital’s lab services conducts clinical and molecular biology/genetic research, including technical and administrative support, for the medical staff and community.
Our goal is to promote women's and infant's health research while enhancing medical care and improving patient outcomes. Research initiatives are chosen by their potential to ultimately improve the health care of women and infants in this region.
You can help be a part of our mission by participating in these studies. May we contact you about participating in our research programs? If so, contact Woman’s Hospital Research Department at 225-231-5275.
Woman's Hospital researchers collaborate with many researchers at institutions across the United States, including: American College of Surgeons Oncology Group, Gynecologic Oncology Group, Louisiana State University, Pennington Biomedical Research Institute, University of Washington at Seattle, and several pharmaceutical companies.
All research studies are submitted to Woman's Hospital’s Research and Development Council (R&D). The R&D is a multidisciplinary group of individuals, appointed by the Woman's Hospital Foundation Chair, to oversee clinical research at the hospital and to refer studies involving human subjects to the Woman's Hospital Foundation Institutional Review Board (IRB) for review.
In addition to research endeavors, the hospital’s research staff provides non-research services to Woman's Hospital and surrounding communities. These activities include:
- Molecular-based clinical diagnostic testing
- Program development and support
Current Studies
1. The PILL Study
(Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Impacted by Low-dose Oral Contraceptive with FoLate)
Woman’s Hospital announces the PILL study to determine the effectiveness of a new, low-dose oral contraceptive containing folate (a B vitamin) in reducing excessive male hormone levels in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS, one of the most common endocrine disorders in reproductive age women, is characterized by elevated levels of male hormones (androgens) which often presents with symptoms such as facial and body hair, weight gain, and infertility.
The PILL Study is an open label, parallel-group study which means all women will be given the same oral contraceptives. The study will include 75 healthy, premenopausal women, ages 18 to 35 years with diagnosed PCOS who desire contraceptive therapy. All women must meet study requirements and will undergo clinical, metabolic, and lab evaluations before, during, and after the 6 month period to determine the pills’ effectiveness. For more information, patients may contact the Woman’s Hospital Research Department at 225-231-5275.
2. It’s never too early to prevent diabetes.
Woman’s Hospital Research Department is looking for women who recently were pregnant and diagnosed with diabetes during their pregnancy to take part in a Metabolic Screening Program.
If you had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant, you and your child have a lifelong risk for getting diabetes. Because of this risk, you need to be tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born, then every 1-2 years. We are performing a study to determine the best diabetes screening strategies after pregnancy to prevent or delay diabetes in women who have a high risk of getting diabetes for the rest of their lives.
All screenings are free of charge. All results will be kept confidential and test results will be available to you and your doctor.
3. Study to Prevent Diabetes in Post-Pregnancy, Overweight Women with History of Gestational Diabetes
This new study will focus on preventing the onset of diabetes in overweight women with a history of gestational diabetes who delivered less than a year ago. In a double-blind placebo trial, for the next two years, Woman’s will monitor 150 women in order to determine the effectiveness of two drug combinations in stabilizing sugar and insulin levels and promoting weight loss. The medications are Metformin and Metformin in combination with Liraglutide, a long-acting glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) derivative administered once daily.
Combined Liraglutide and Metformin Therapy in Women with Previous Gestational Diabetes Mellitus will study overweight women who were diagnosed with GDM in their last pregnancy, have not returned to normal metabolic function, and remain overweight with diagnosed insulin problems. Participants must have delivered infants at Woman’s Hospital and had GDM within the past year, be 18-45 years old, and meet all additional study requirements. Participants will be compensated for their time in addition to receiving free medication, clinic visits with the physician, and testing.
4. Expecting Success Study
Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Woman’s Hospital are seeking overweight and obese moms to participate in a weight management program designed to achieve healthy weight gain during pregnancy. Expecting Success offers personalized weight management during pregnancy for those who qualify.
