It All Starts Here – Details, episodes & analysis

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
 

This episode hosted by Olivia Moir, looks at the importance of the Placenta in human development with special guest Prof Eric Jauniaux. We discuss his background and how he got into the study of this organ, why it is so important to understand it's role, and the interactions and influence of the Placenta with the environment. 

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: 2023-05-19
Duration: 00:28:32
Language of episode: English 
Presenter: Olivia Moir
Guests: Prof Eric Jauniaux
Producer: Olivia Moir, UCL Arena

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this episode dives into science communication with guest Dr. Kim Botting. We discuss the progression of this field across time and the importance of continual developments and contributions being made. We unpack the barriers faced by scientists attempting to contribute to this field, as well as flaws of this field from the perspective of the public.

For more information and to access the transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/episode-1-science-communication

Date of episode recording: 2023-05-17
Duration: 00:31:32
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Olivia Moir
Guests: Dr. Kim Botting
Producer: Olivia Moir

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 

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this week's topic looks further into fertility education with Dr. Zeynep Gurtin, focussing specifically on the topic of egg freezing. Dr Zeynep Gurtin is a sociologist of reproduction and gender with research interests in the social, ethical, and relational issues surrounding fertility, infertility, assisted reproductive technologies, and new family forms. Her work brings together  changing social trends in fertility with women's own personal accounts of their expectations and experiences, to provide insights about contemporary reproduction and relationships.  We discuss what this process really looks like, who is using this kind of technology, the success rates and some of the ethical concerns around this topic.

Date of episode recording: 2023-06-20
Duration: 00:35:46
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Olivia Moir
Guests: Dr. Zeynep Gurtin
Producer: Olivia Moir, UCL Changemakers