511: The EndoCann trial: a preliminary analysis of participants� most impactful endometriosis symptoms

Topic: Clinical Science
Subtopic: Pain category (ICD-11), Chronic primary visceral / pelvic pain, Pharmacological treatments, Treatment/management

Background and Aims: Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and is often associated with a myriad of other symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, and bloating. Many people with endometriosis-associated pelvic pain report inadequate response to current surgical and medical therapies. Cross-sectional data demonstrate that cannabis (both illicit and medicinal sources) may help people with endometriosis manage their pain and other symptoms. Our trial is evaluating the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis for endometriosis-related symptoms. The present analysis aims to describe the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of participants enrolled to date, including participants’ most impactful symptoms.

Methods: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is evaluating the efficacy of two medicinal cannabis treatments (10mg/mL tetrahydrocannabinol: 10mg/mL cannabidiol; 100mg/mL cannabidiol) on endometriosis-related CPP. Baseline data are reported from adult participants enrolled, with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis and CPP, between July 2024 and January 2026. Measures include demographics, pelvic pain severity (0-100mm visual analogue scale), and the Most Impactful Symptom of Endometriosis-Questionnaire (MISE-Q). The association between pelvic pain severity and total MISE-Q score was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, while associations between pelvic pain severity and individual MISE-Q domain scores were assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficients.

Results: Thirty-eight participants had been enrolled and completed baseline measures. The mean age was 34y (SD 6.8). Most participants were diagnosed via surgery (78.9%) and had a stage 4 diagnosis (47.4%). Over 65% of participants had taken analgesics the week before baseline. At baseline, the mean pelvic pain severity score was 52 (SD=28.4) and MISE-Q score was 40.1/65 (SD=8). The most impactful symptoms were fatigue (mean=3.9/5, SD=0.9) and bloating (mean=3.8/5, SD=0.9). Total MISE-Q score was significantly associated with pelvic pain severity, specifically domain scores of abdominal pain, cramps, fatigue, heavy menstrual periods, and ovary pain.

Conclusions: These preliminary analyses demonstrate that the trial is recruiting a clinically representative sample of people with endometriosis who have substantial symptom burden. The associations between pelvic pain severity and other related, but often under-recognised, symptoms highlight the multidimensional impact of endometriosis beyond CPP alone. The final outcomes of this randomised controlled trial will provide insight into whether medicinal cannabis is beneficial for the management of these burdensome endometriosis symptoms.

References: NA

Presenting Author: Dr Amelia Mardon
Submitting Author: Amelia Mardon

Senior Author: A/Prof Mike Armour

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: No

• Dr Orit Holtzman - NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
• Ms Mary Horn - Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
• Ms Emily Kopp - Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
• Mr Damian Hall - NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
• Ms Toobah Farooqi - NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
• Mr Mahmoud Aldabbas - Novotech, Sydney, NSW, Australia
• Dr Zaynab El-Hamawi - School of Clinical Medicine, Medicine and Health, Discipline of Women’s Health, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
• Dr Akshara Shyamsunder - School of Clinical Medicine, Medicine and Health, Discipline of Women’s Health, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
• Dr David Krones - School of Clinical Medicine, Medicine and Health, Discipline of Women’s Health, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
• Dr Cecilia Ng - School of Clinical Medicine, Medicine and Health, Discipline of Women’s Health, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia, National Endometriosis Clinical and Scientific Trials Network (NECST), UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
• Dr Mitchell Low - NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
• Dr Deep Bhuyan - NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
• Dr Mathew Leonardi - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
• A/Prof Leesa Van Niekerk - School of Psychological Sciences, College of Health & Medicine, University of Tasmania, TAS, Australia; National Endometriosis Clinical and Scientific Trials Network (NECST), UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
• Prof Kerry Sherman - Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia; Smart Green Cities Research Centre, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
• Prof Jason Abbott - School of Clinical Medicine, Medicine and Health, Discipline of Women’s Health, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia; National Endometriosis Clinical and Scientific Trials Network (NECST), UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
• Prof George Condous - Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
• A/Prof Mike Armour - NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia