Low sex drive

Postmenopausal women ages 40 to 70 who are in a stable, committed relationship and have low sex drive are invited to take part in a study being conducted at the University of Iowa College of Public Health. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of an investigational testosterone patch in restoring natural sexual desire compared to a patch containing a placebo (inactive substance). The study will consist of nine to 11 visits to the UI Lipid Research Clinic with visits that are one month apart. Qualified participants will receive a physical exam, mammogram, blood work evaluation, pap smear, and study medication. Compensation will be provided. For more information, call the UI Lipid Research Clinic at 319-384-5048 or toll-free at 800-887-6917.

Cervical cancer

Women ages 16 to 23 are invited to participate in a Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center clinical trial to help determine the effectiveness and safety of a vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus is associated with most cases of cervical cancer. Women interested in participating in the trial must be in general good health and must not be pregnant or planning to conceive during the first seven months of the study. Participants must be willing to make approximately eight visits to the UI Family Planning Clinic at UI Hospitals and Clinics. Over the course of the study, participants will receive three injections of either vaccine or a placebo. Follow-up includes up to four years of gynecological exams that will test for the presence of HPV infection or precancerous cells. In addition, routine gynecologic care, contraception, and compensation will be provided. The study is led by Kevin A. Ault, M.D., who has led previous UI studies on cervical cancer vaccines. For more information, call 888-884-8946 and ask for Tracy Peters, research nurse, or call Peters directly at 319-384-4531. Ask about the HPV vaccine trial.

Health care decision-making

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery invites adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15 and their parents to participate in a research study. Participants will spend approximately one hour reading information on a computer and answering questions. This survey can be completed anywhere a computer and Web access is available. The project will help researchers design another study to determine the best treatments for a type of scoliosis that is very common among school-aged children. Participants do not have to be diagnosed with scoliosis. Compensation is available. For further information, contact Lori Dolan at 319-356-1075 or Vani Sabesan at 319-353-6743.