Participate in Research at CU Anschutz

This research hopes to learn more about the relationships between reproductive hormones, metabolic health, and energy restriction. We also hope to learn how reproductive hormones influence weight and elements of metabolism.

Are you interested in a research study on women's reproductive hormones? We are conducting a study among women aged 18-40 years old who have regular menstrual cycles, are not using hormonal birth control, and have a body mass index between 27-45 kg/m2.

Main Procedures Involved: If you volunteer for this study you will be asked to complete a study visit to see if you are eligible where we will collect your blood. If you are eligible for the study and decide to participate, you will be asked to complete questionnaires online and come in for three study visits: (1) Baseline visit which is about one hour and includes a blood draw and body composition assessments, weight, and body measurements, (2) Mid-study visit that which is about 15 minutes and happens 2 months after your baseline visit. During this visit, we will only collect your weight, (3) Follow-up visit which is about 30 minutes and happens about 4 months after the baseline visit. During this visit, we only take body composition and weight measurements. Following each of these study visits you will wear a device that tracks your physical activity and keep a written record of your physical activity and what you eat for 7 days. You will collect urine samples each morning over 4 consecutive menstrual cycles (~28 days/cycle), store them in your freezer, and bring them back to us at 2 timepoints. You will track how long each of your cycles last.

Duration of Participation: This study takes place at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and your home. Your participation will be about 4 to 5 months.