Hosted by Olivia Moir, this episode with Dr. Bassel Wattar guides us through heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB); what it is, how common it is, how do we diagnose it, and how do we treat it? We also talk about research in this area, and specifically the importance of including community perspectives in research practise, and how Dr. Bassel Wattar's team has been going about this. Dr. Bassel Wattar has been a guest on the pod previously where we talked about PCOS. If you missed that episode, definitely go and check it out. For anyone who hasn't listened to the PCOS episode, Dr. Wattar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist based in London. He has advanced expertise in various areas including fertility, assisted conception, endocrine gynaecology, menopause and importantly for today, heavy menstrual bleeding! I also have to mention, he is the co-leader of a research group dedicated for evidence synthesis at UCL, which is something so important and we have focused a lot on in this pod, the importance of evidence based research.

To read more about Bassel's work, visit: https://basselwattar.info/
Charities and Communities affiliated with HMB:
Menstrual Health Project: https://linktr.ee/menstrualhealthproject
Wellbeing of Women: https://www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/what-we-do/

Date of episode recording: 2024-05-14T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:26:57
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Olivia
Guests: Dr. Bassel Wattar
Producer: Olivia, UCL changemakers

We are back for season 2 of It All Starts Here! Listen in as your longtime host Olivia Moir introduces you to our new hosts joining us this season, Kathryn Hunwick and Niamh Kenny. Kathryn is a long-time educator, therapist and yogi, who’s all about helping women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) to understand and support themselves holistically: body, mind and spirit. She is currently completing her masters in women's health at UCL to further her work. Niamh has always been extremely passionate about science and in particular menstrual health. She completed her bachelors in Molecular Medicine in Dublin and is currently pursuing a masters in women’s health here at UCL. This season, our mission remains the same: to bring awareness to critical topics in the fields of reproductive science and women's health, that are often pushed to the sidelines of conversation. We will also be shining a spotlight on the social aspects that shape these fields. From societal stigmas to cultural influences, we'll dive into the intersectionality of reproductive science and women’s health uncovering the layers of complexity that often go unnoticed. On top of this, we will be branching out and bringing in guests from various institutions around the UK. Tune in to learn more, we are so excited to guide you through another season of learning and communicating about reproductive science and women's health! Follow us on instagram @itallstartsherepodcastucl

Date of episode recording: 2024-02-28T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:05:52
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Olivia Moir, Kathryn Hunwick, Niamh Kenny
Guests: N/A
Producer: Olivia Moir, UCL changemakers

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this very special episode discusses prenatal therapy with Prof Anna David, Director of the Institute for Women's Health here at UCL. Today we cover the basics of what the field of prenatal therapy is about, discussing the general lack of prenatal therapy in clinic and some of the factors behind why this is. We talk about the importance of conducting research to advance clinical practise in this field, supporting mums and the new generations to come.

For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/it-all-starts-here-ega-ifwh-institute-womens-health-podcast

Date of episode recording: 2023-12-04
Duration: 36:15
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Olivia Moir
Guests: Prof Anna David
Producer: Olivia Moir, UCL Changemakers

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this week we dip our toes into the field of immunology as it relates to the functioning of our lungs. Ever wanted to learn more about why this organ is so key to our survival? Dr. Jens Madsen, who is an associate professor at the IfWH here at UCL, has spent many years researching lung function and is here to explain! We focus our attention on a group of proteins called collectins, and their importance when it comes to the proper functioning of our lungs right at birth and throughout our lives. We also discuss the clinical applications of studying these collectins, called surfactant, and their administration in cases such as premature birth. If you don’t know very much about lungs or immunology, as always, don’t worry, because today we will dive into the basics of what is so important about them and their development for our early life and throughout our life course.

For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/it-all-starts-here-ega-ifwh-institute-womens-health-podcast

Date of episode recording: 2023-10-25
Duration: 00:18:40
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Olivia Moir
Guests: Dr. Jens Madsen
Producer: Olivia Moir, UCL changemakers

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this episode discusses ectopic pregnancy with Dr. Annie Solangon, who is a who is an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist specialising in Early Pregnancy, Gynaecology and Advanced Ultrasound at UCLH. Presently she is undertaking a PhD in ectopic pregnancy and pregnancies of unknown location, under the supervision of Professor Jurkovic here at UCL. We discuss what ectopic pregnancy is, risk factors involved, the management of this condition - including the controversial use of methotrexate, and you guessed it: the importance of evidence based research in this field! Ectopic pregnancy generally results in pregnancy loss. If you or someone you know is currently coping with pregnancy loss, charities and support groups in the UK such as Tommy's the Baby Charity, and The Miscarriage Association, advocate for and support individuals who have lost babies.

Date of episode recording: 2023-09-13
Duration: 00:33:13
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Olivia Moir
Guests: Dr. Annie Solangon
Producer: Olivia Moir, Changemakers Funding

This week's episode is about PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome. To do this, we have Dr. Bassel Wattar, who is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist based in London – United Kingdom with advanced expertise in the fields of fertility, assisted conception, endocrine gynaecology, polycystic ovary syndrome, and menopause. He is a experienced clinician scientist and currently co-leads a research group dedicated to evidence synthesis at University College London. We discuss what PCOS is, the different signs and symptoms associated, and the management of this condition.

Date of episode recording: 2023-09-05
Duration: 00:33:17
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Olivia Moir
Guests: Dr. Bassel Wattar
Producer: Olivia Moir, UCL Changemakers

Hosted by Olivia Moir, today we discuss Gene Therapy with Professor Simon Waddington. He is a professor and researcher in the field of Gene Therapy here at UCL. The topic of gene therapy can come across as slightly daunting to those who may not have a background in the field, but this episode dives into the nitty gritty to help clear things up! We cover what gene therapy really is about, from the different types and their methods, to the applications of this in clinic - and the little bits in between.

For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/it-all-starts-here-ega-ifwh-institute-womens-health-podcast

Date of episode recording: 2023-07-18
Duration: 00:33:13
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Olivia Moir
Guests: Prof Simon Waddington
Producer: Olivia Moir

Today's episode, hosted by Olivia Moir, discusses preconception health, or health before pregnancy with Dr. Jenny Hall. She is a Clinical Associate Professor and NIHR Advanced Fellow here at the Institute for Women's Health. When it comes to reproduction, socialization often focusses on two main areas: either not getting pregnant or being pregnant. But there is more to it, and it’s important to educate on and consider the additional areas in between and the seemingly tiny details are part of these topics – because when it comes to reproduction, it’s often those tiny details that can go on to make a huge difference in terms of pregnancy outcomes and maternal health.

For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/it-all-starts-here-ega-ifwh-institute-womens-health-podcast

Date of episode recording: 2023-06-12
Duration: 00:35:56
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Olivia Moir
Guests: Dr. Jenny Hall
Producer: Olivia Moir