We Need to Talk… About Women’s Health

On 13 March 2025, Dr Nighat Arif and researchers from The University of Warwick’s Women’s Health Mission came together to share insights into women’s health. We were in the B2 Studio at the Belgrade Theatre in central Coventry, and almost 100 attendees joined us for an evening of accessible science and fascinating new discoveries.

Women spend a significantly greater proportion of their lives in ill health compared to men despite statistically living longer. Not enough is known about conditions that only affect women (and those assigned female at birth) such as miscarriage and menopause, and because of an under-representation of women in clinical trials we also have gaps in knowledge about how conditions affecting both men and women impact them differently.

Dr Nighat Arif opened the night by talking about the menopause. Nighat is a GP specialising in women’s health and family planning, who makes educational women’s health content on her wide-reaching social media channels. We learnt about symptoms and treatments for menopause, and how women can advocate for themselves in medical settings.

The University of Warwick’s Women’s Health Mission are working to transform the health of women across their lives. Professor Andrew McAinsh introduced the Mission by talking about how women’s health impacts everyone, as we all come into contact with people affected by it.

Assistant Professor Alexiane Decout discussed the Vaginal Microbiome, stressing just how different it is from the gut microbiome, which we’ve heard of far more.

Associate Professor Erin Greaves talked to us about her research into macrophage directed therapy as treatment for endometriosis.

Associate Clinical Professor Beck Taylor explored social inequalities in health, including differences between men and women, as well as the differences between different groups of women.

Finally, Sioda Adams from Earthbound explained the project she has been working on with Erin, fusing research and lived experience to create a new dance performance.

You can find out more about the University of Warwick’s Women’s Health Mission here.

Find out more about Earthbound here.