RELIEVE Study- Platelet-Rich Plasma to Reduce Postpartum Pain After Perineal Tears or Episiotomy (NCT07727213) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
RELIEVE Study- Platelet-Rich Plasma to Reduce Postpartum Pain After Perineal Tears or Episiotomy
Switzerland160 participantsStarted 2026-10-01
Plain-language summary
Perineal tears and episiotomies are common after vaginal birth and may cause persistent pain, impaired wound healing, pain during sexual activity, and concerns about genital appearance.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is prepared from a participant's own blood and contains a concentrated amount of platelets that release growth factors that may support tissue repair. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a single local injection of autologous non-activated PRP during the primary repair of a perineal tear and/or an episiotomy reduces postpartum perineal pain compared with an injection of 0.9% sodium chloride solution.
Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive PRP or saline. Participants, the clinician administering the injection, the clinicians assessing the outcomes, and the statistician will be unaware of the assigned treatment. Follow-up will assess perineal pain, wound healing, scar quality, sexual function, genital self-image, and safety through 6 months postpartum.
The study hypothesis is that PRP will reduce average perineal pain at 3 months postpartum compared with saline.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 18 years or older
* Vaginal birth with a second-degree or more severe perineal tear and/or an episiotomy
* Written informed consent obtained before any study-specific procedure
Exclusion Criteria:
* Refusal to participate or lack of decision-making capacity at the time of consent
* Inability to ensure an adequately informed consent process despite appropriate support measures, including adapted oral information and, when required, faithful translation or assistance from a professional interpreter
* Clinically significant hereditary or acquired coagulation disorder, including platelet count below 100 × 10\^9/L, international normalized ratio above 1.5, activated partial thromboplastin time above 1.5 times the upper limit of normal, congenital coagulation factor deficiency, von Willebrand disease, or prophylactic or therapeutic anticoagulation administered less than 24 hours before venous blood sampling for PRP preparation
* Aspirin or clopidogrel taken within 7 days before venous blood sampling for PRP preparation
* Previous enrolment in the RELIEVE study
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Perineal Pain Intensity Assessed by a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale at 3 Months Postpartum
Timeframe: 12 weeks postpartum, with an assessment window of ±2 weeks