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

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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

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In this episode of The Didn't Teach Us This in Sex Ed podcast, we’re at the Fertility 2026 conference, where I managed to nab four experts for a quickie about their work, to give you a taste of what's to come.

Professor Bola Grace tells us about the role of digital media in disseminating reproductive health information; Professor Paul Fowler explains the impact of environmental chemicals on fetal development; Dr Sugha Murugesu tells us about new advancements in miscarriage diagnosis; and Porsche racing driver Toby Trice shares his unique personal journey through male infertility and how he’s using his platform to raise awareness about male fertility issues.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How to navigate the wealth of reproductive health information online and how to find information you can trust
• Which environmental chemicals pose a risk to fetal development, and what steps we can take to minimise those risks
• How miscarriage diagnosis can be improved with more accurate thresholds, and what new clinical tools that are currently being developed to help women.
• How sharing personal experiences of infertility can help drive advocacy and awareness

Plus, for the petrol heads, there's some fun facts about Toby's Porsche Cayman at the end!

Hosted by Dr. Erin Williams @DrErinWill

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What if I told you that sex education only ever gave us part of the picture? That behind the awkward lessons and basic diagrams, there’s a much deeper picture about how our bodies work, and how our fertility is shaped, but that we were never taught?

This is They Didn’t Teach Us This in Sex Ed. The official podcast from the Society for Reproduction and Fertility.

In this series we get up close and personal with the world’s leading experts in reproductive health and fertility to bring you the latest science, insights, and practical takeaways we weren't taught, but probably should have been.

Join us for fascinating conversations with the scientists and medics shaping this field. We’ll dive into breakthroughs in human fertility, uncover the weird and wonderful mating secrets of exotic species, tackle the controversies that spark debate, and deliver evidence-based answers without the jargon. (Well, maybe just a wee bit of jargon!)

Please share and make sure you subscribe so you never miss a beat.... or a breakthrough!

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