From Oxford to Empowerment: Why Fertility Awareness Matters
14 November 2025
We’re delighted to share an inspiring piece by Maryam Rahbar, a former MSc in Clinical Embryology and DPhil student in Women’s & Reproductive Health at Oxford. Drawing on her academic journey and passion for translating science into empowerment, Maryam explores the science and significance of fertility awareness and preservation. Her reflections remind us that informed choice, grounded in knowledge, not fear, is one of the most powerful forms of reproductive autonomy.
Oxford researchers awarded funding to pioneer ovarian cancer vaccine development
14 November 2025
Ovarian cancer remains a devastating global health challenge: each year, over 300,000 women are diagnosed, and nearly 200,000 lives are lost, largely because the disease is detected at a late stage. Women carrying inherited genetic changes face a significantly elevated lifetime risk, over 40%, and current preventive strategies often require invasive surgery that compromises fertility. These limitations underscore an urgent need for non-surgical preventive options, and vaccines could offer a groundbreaking solution.
From pain to policy: global reviews call for urgent action on endometriosis in most world regions
5 November 2025
First global mapping shows half the world’s countries lack policies or guidelines for endometriosis, affecting >200 million women and girls.
Places available for IF Oxford Festival panel discussion
5 November 2025
Why is women’s pain often dismissed or misunderstood? Attend our panel discussion on the realities of pain in women, from endometriosis and period pain to IUD insertion and pain during consensual sex.
Celebrating Excellence: MSc in Clinical Embryology 2024–25 Prize Winners Announced
24 October 2025
We are delighted to announce the prize winners from Cohort 17 (2024–25) of the MSc in Clinical Embryology. These awards recognise outstanding achievement, dedication, and excellence across research, academic performance, and professional development.
NDWRH Announces Two New MSc Programmes in Global Women’s Health and Reproductive Genetics
5 October 2025
The Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health is pleased to announce that applications are now open for two new postgraduate taught courses, commencing in Michaelmas Term 2026. Both courses further strengthen our department’s commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in reproductive and women’s health worldwide.
A new paradigm of pancreatic islet adaptations in pregnancy
1 October 2025
University of Oxford researchers have uncovered surprising new insights into how the pancreas adapts during pregnancy to meet the body’s increased demand for insulin. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, challenge long-standing assumptions based on animal studies and highlight key differences between human and mouse biology.
No evidence that Paracetamol use in pregnancy causes Autism Spectrum Disorder
23 September 2025
Current evidence does not support a causal link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder. A 2025 review of pivotal studies concluded that in-utero exposure to paracetamol is unlikely to confer a clinically important increased risk of ASD, and clinical guidelines on treating pain and fever in pregnancy should not change. Untreated pain and fever can harm both mother and fetus; when needed, paracetamol remains the recommended option.
Teenage period pain linked to higher risk of chronic pain in adulthood
1 September 2025
Teenagers who experience moderate or severe period pain are significantly more likely to develop chronic pain in adulthood – including pain beyond the pelvis – according to a major new study from the University of Oxford, funded by the Medical Research Foundation.
Katy Vincent and Jean Campbells interview discussing Chronic Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis
17 August 2025
Professor Katy Vincent, Professor of Gynaecological Pain, and Jean Campbell, chronic pain sufferer and model discuss the staggering scale and impact on women and girls, from untreated period pain in adolescence to endometriosis, painful sex and fertility. Katy helps Jean explore why women's pain is still so often ignored, misdiagnosed or minimised - and what needs to change in both healthcare and research.
Babies made using three people's DNA are born free of hereditary disease
21 July 2025
Eight babies born free of hereditary disease using DNA from three people.
New Research Identifies Disrupted Protein Aggregation as Potential Early Trigger in Alzheimer’s Disease
18 July 2025
The research, led by Professor Deborah Goberdhan (Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health) and Professor Clive Wilson (Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics) and published in EMBO Journal on 17 July, reveals that the Alzheimer’s-associated Aβ-peptide disrupts a normal and essential process of protein aggregation within cells, potentially triggering a cascade of damage.
New Study Reveals AI's Potential in Detecting Heart Defects Before Birth
10 June 2025
A recent study with insight from Prof. Aris Papageorghiou, published in The Lancet, highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) could help detect congenital heart defects (CHDs) in unborn babies, with research conducted by one of our research teams and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering.
Team presents Headline Data at the World Congress on Endometriosis in Sydney
22 May 2025
Dr Tatjana Gibbons, an investigator on the ongoing DETECT study, presented results at the World Congress on Endometriosis 2025. The study aims to determine the feasibility of detecting endometriosis using 99mTc-maraciclatide and single-photon emission computed tomography.
CRG part of pregnancy trial to prevent anaemia
15 May 2025
A new research trial, known as the PANDA study, has been launched to explore whether iron supplementation during pregnancy can reduce the risk of stillbirth.
New Research Unveils Shared Genetic Link Between Endometriosis and Immune Conditions
29 April 2025
Research published in the journal Human Reproduction reveals that women with endometriosis are at a significantly higher risk for developing a range of autoimmune, autoinflammatory, and mixed-pattern diseases. This new study, of unprecedented scale, examines not only clinical associations, but also for the first time the biological basis for these comorbidities - through genetics. It identifies osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, coeliac disease, and psoriasis among the comorbid conditions significantly linked to endometriosis.
Nathalie Conrad receives Wellcome Award to research congenital heart disease
7 April 2025
Dr. Nathalie Conrad has received a prestigious Wellcome Career Development Award to support her research investigating the epidemiology of congenital heart disease.
Research Finds Animal Dung Could Help Save Endangered Species
18 March 2025
Researchers are exploring an innovative approach to boost genetic diversity and help endangered species by using animal dung. Dubbed the “Poo Zoo” the project focuses on extracting living cells from fresh faeces, which could be used to aid conservation efforts.
No Strategic Call for ME/CFS: Why Patients Are Pushing Back
17 March 2025
The release of the government's ME/CFS delivery plan is imminent, but the lack of a strategic call for these complex, chronic conditions has left patients frustrated and demanding action.
Chris Yau becomes Co-Director for the new CTD in Fundamentals of AI- Partnership with EIT Oxford
17 March 2025
A huge congratulations to Professor Chris Yau on becoming Co-Director for the new CDT in Fundamentals of AI, an exciting new initiative in partnership with EIT Oxford (The Ellison Institute of Technology).