Clinical Trial Trends: Fertility, Vaccines, Genetics & Pelvic Pain

Clinical trial activity across fertility, vaccines in pregnancy, cancer genetics and pelvic pain is shifting from siloed studies to patient-centered, adaptive programs informed by real-world data and better participant access.

Fertility preservation and oncology: moving upstream

Clinical research increasingly integrates fertility preservation options during cancer treatment into oncology trials rather than as separate services; this reflects stronger survivorship endpoints and more routine referrals. ASCO and oncology societies now emphasize early fertility counseling, and trial protocols commonly include fertility preservation windows and ovarian suppression arms to preserve reproductive potential while not compromising cancer outcomes.

Vaccination during pregnancy and lactation

Safe vaccination guidance for pregnant and breastfeeding patients has become more proactive as regulators and professional bodies push for deliberate inclusion. Post-marketing registries and dedicated pregnancy cohorts have produced higher-quality safety signals, leading to clearer recommendations for many vaccines. Many patients find clinical trials through dedicated platforms that match their condition with relevant studies.

Genetics after a family breast cancer diagnosis

Navigating genetic testing after family breast cancer diagnosis is now routine in clinical pathways: risk assessment tools and broader panel testing have increased detection of actionable variants beyond BRCA1/2. USPSTF and professional society guidance support targeted screening and genetic counseling for those with strong family histories, and trials increasingly test tailored prevention strategies for variant carriers.

Managing pelvic pain: non-hormonal therapies and trials

Managing pelvic pain: non-hormonal therapies and trials are receiving renewed investment as hormonal treatments are limited or contraindicated for many. Recent and ongoing trials emphasize pelvic floor physical therapy, neuromodulation, centrally acting analgesics, cognitive behavioral therapy, and device-based interventions, shifting outcome measures toward function and quality of life rather than only pain scores.

Regulatory trend signals

Regulators are updating frameworks to promote inclusion, decentralization, and patient-reported outcomes: FDA draft guidance on including pregnant and lactating individuals, USPSTF recommendations on genetic risk assessment, and ICH drafting modernization of trial conduct signal a more inclusive research era.

Forward-looking implications include more decentralized consent, remote monitoring, adaptive designs that add fertility or pregnancy sub-studies, and integration of genetic endpoints in survivorship trials.

Practical guidance for trial participation

Consider timing: for fertility preservation options during cancer treatment, request an expedited fertility consult and discuss temporary treatment delay windows where safe. For vaccine or drug trials in pregnancy/breastfeeding, ask about registry follow-up plans and neonatal outcomes. For genetic testing, seek pre-test counseling and inquire whether trial protocols offer cascade testing for relatives. For pelvic pain, prioritize trials that include patient-reported function and access to multidisciplinary care.

• Ask about travel, remote visit options, and reimbursement for fertility procedures.
• Confirm how pregnancy/lactation status will be monitored and reported.
• Clarify whether genetic results are returned and implications for family members.
• Review non-hormonal therapy options and multidisciplinary supports offered in the trial.

Patient advocacy groups are shaping research priorities: RESOLVE members lobby for fertility access during oncology care; FORCE and Susan G. Komen communities push expanded BRCA testing and trial inclusion; March of Dimes engages on vaccine safety in pregnancy; Endometriosis Foundation and pelvic pain networks prioritize non-hormonal trial portfolios. Genetic counselors, survivor advocates, and patient-researcher partnerships are increasingly co-designing protocols. In the next 3–5 years expect more trials to embed fertility and genetic endpoints, expanded pregnancy registries tied to post-market surveillance, and a surge of non-hormonal pelvic pain interventions tested in decentralized formats—trends likely to improve access and outcome relevance for patients.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Will joining a trial affect my fertility plans or offer preservation resources?
• How does this study monitor vaccine safety for pregnant or breastfeeding participants?
• Can I get genetic counseling before testing, and will results be shared with my family?
• Are non-hormonal pelvic pain options available through the trial, and what outcomes are measured?
• What remote participation or travel supports are available?