Researcher bios and how their research backgrounds relate to this study

The principal investigator, Dr. Dana Ménard, has significant experience conducting sex research and collecting survey data from members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Current student research assistants have experience with collecting and analysing survey data and have previously worked on research with members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Purpose of this research project

Current research on endometriosis and sexual well-being primarily centers on surgical diagnoses, emphasizing high rates of sexual dysfunction but neglecting exploration of sexual satisfaction. Sexual research typically fixates on physical aspects, disregarding the holistic nature of sexual functioning pivotal to overall well-being. The sexual impacts of the disease may have additional repercussions for mental health and relationship satisfaction. Sexual wellbeing has received some research attention in cis-gender women and the results tend to indicate significantly higher experiences of sexual dysfunction and generally decreased reports of sexual satisfaction and wellbeing. Any individual Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB) may be vulnerable to endometriosis, however, only two studies have reported on the experiences of endometriosis in non-cis individuals and both have found much, much higher prevalence rates than comparable samples of cis-gender women.  

This study aims to address these critical gaps and better understand the impact of endometriosis on sexual health and wellbeing. The study will be conducted through an online survey shared internally through endometriosis organizations, support groups, and 2STNB groups. The same recruitment method may be extended to physicians and clinics if recruitment numbers are not being met through organizations alone. The survey includes multiple-choice and write-in questions that ask about demographic information (e.g., age, relationship status, residing province), gender identity, sexual self-esteem, resilience, mental wellbeing, sexual wellbeing, sexual functioning, sexual activities, sexual satisfaction, sexual and relationship communication, physical health symptoms, and experiences with endometriosis. The survey will take between 30 to 40 minutes to complete. Participants will be compensated with a $15 Tim Horton’s gift card and given a list of mental and sexual health resources.  

How this research will help LGBT2SQ people and communities

There are multiple benefits of this research to the scientific community and society given that endometriosis is a very under-researched disease relative to its prevalence worldwide. The experiences of gender diverse individuals have been omitted in most research to date despite some studies finding very high rates of the disease in this group. It is important to understand the experiences of gender diverse individuals with endometriosis to help clinicians, educators, and public health officials address the impacts of this disease through evidence-based practice. This research may also benefit the wider gender diverse community who have endometriosis and results will be shared with them through trans-specific and endometriosis support groups.

Participants

- Participants must identify as gender diverse and have been assigned female at birth (AFAB). This includes all transmasculine identities and AFAB non-binary identities.
- Participants must be 16 years of age or older.
- Participants must be English-speaking as study materials are in English.

Compensation

Participants will be awarded a $15 online gift card for Tim Horton’s as compensation for their time.

Mitigation measures

Participants will be reminded at the outset of the survey that they are free to refuse to answer any questions not pertaining to eligibility and remain in the study or to withdraw at any time. Prior to completion of the questionnaires, participants will be given a list of mental health resources available in the community so if they become stressed during completion and close their browser to end the session they will still be able to use the resources and seek help. The information provided by the participants will be treated as confidential. Participants will be reminded to complete these in a private area and provided with instructions on how to clear their browser history. Participants’ data will be stored in a password-protected OneDrive folder to which only research team members will have access. We will also provide participants with directions on how to clear their computers browser if they are using a shared computer to further protect their privacy. Identifying information (i.e., emails) will be removed from survey responses as quickly as possible after the survey closes.

Promoting the Study

Participants will be recruited primarily through support groups for individuals with endometriosis and organizations supporting the health and wellness of two-spirit, trans, and non-binary (2S/TNB) individuals, as well as 2S/TNB friendly clinics solicited via email. Recruitment materials will instruct individuals interested in participating to contact the researchers via email (endostudy@uwindsor.ca) to determine eligibility via responses to a screening email.