In this episode, Dr Lucy Whitaker discusses one of the most common yet least understood conditions in reproductive health: endometriosis. She explains what's actually happening in the body when cells similar to the womb lining grow elsewhere, why some women live with severe disease and no symptoms while others are in daily pain, and why the current one-size-fits-all approach to treatment doesn't reflect how differently this condition shows up in each person.

The conversation also explores why diagnosis so often takes years, the ground-breaking ENDO 1000 project that's making research more accessible through at-home participation, and the search for new treatments - from repurposed drugs to CBD trials - that offer real hope for the future.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women yet the amount of disease someone has doesn't reliably predict how much pain they're in
• Endometriosis doesn't stop when your period does; many women lose that cyclical pattern over time, and being told “it can't be endo” for that reason is a myth
• There's still no reliable blood test for endometriosis, which is a major reason average diagnosis takes years
• New research is opening up the potential for faster diagnosis and more personalised treatment

To find out more about Lucy's work, visit the EXPPECT website and read about the groundbreaking ENDO 1000 project.

You can find support and information at Endometriosis UK, Wellbeing of Women, and NHS Inform.

Hosted by Dr. Erin Williams @DrErinWill

Theme Song: youth - ghost

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/youthghost

Watch: http://ncs.lnk.to/AT/youtube

In this episode Prof Colin Duncan and Prof Mick Rae reveal why Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) was never really about ovarian cysts and why the condition has now been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).

The Profs explain what the name change means for people living with the condition, why PCOS/PMOS is much more than a reproductive disorder, and how changes in metabolism, hormones and even early fetal life may shape the development of the condition. From irregular periods and fertility challenges to weight gain, insulin resistance and new treatment approaches including GLP-1 medications, Colin and Mick explore the science behind one of the most common reproductive health conditions.

They also take us behind the scenes of their pioneering research using sheep as a model to understand how PMOS develops and how discoveries in the lab could lead to better treatments and support for people affected by the condition.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why PCOS was never actually caused by ovarian cysts and why the name is changing to PMOS
• How early life and fetal development may influence the risk of developing PMOS
• What current and future treatments could mean for people living with PMOS
• Why understanding PMOS as a whole-body condition could transform how it is diagnosed and treated

To find out more about Colin and Mick's work, you can find them online:

• Duncan group
• Prof Mick Rae

Hosted by Dr. Erin Williams @DrErinWill

Theme Song: youth - ghost

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/youthghost

Watch: http://ncs.lnk.to/AT/youtube

In this episode, Professor Rod Mitchell discusses the critical factors influencing fertility and reproductive health, emphasising that these factors begin much earlier than adulthood. He explores how early life experiences, environmental impacts, and medical treatments can affect future fertility.

The conversation also delves into the importance of fertility preservation for children undergoing cancer treatment and the innovative techniques being developed in this field. Additionally, the episode addresses the ongoing decline in male fertility rates, and gives an insight into the future of reproductive health research.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Fertility is influenced by factors that begin before birth meaning fetal development and early life are crucial for future fertility
• Environmental factors impact reproductive health and conflicting information can be overwhelming, especially for pregnant women
• Male fertility is declining, but it might not be as bad as we think
• Fertility preservation is vital for children with cancer and recent successes in fertility preservation provide hope

To discover more about Rod’s work you can find him on LinkedIn or follow him on X @RodTMitchell.

You should also run out immediately and buy tickets to his upcoming Edinburgh Festival show 'SPERMAGEDDON - 30 Minutes to Save Humankind' at the Stand Comedy Club!

Hosted by Dr. Erin Williams @DrErinWill

Theme Song: youth - ghost
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/youthghost
Watch: http://ncs.lnk.to/AT/youtube