Menstrual Health Research Network Hui 2023

Our second annual hui was held on the 6th and 7th of November 2023. This was a huge success where we had over 50 people in attendance in Ōtepoti Dunedin. Feedback from our attendees highlighted that this was

A well organized and welcoming space where there was an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature and variety of talks.

This was hosted in the hunter center at the University of Otago and we had exceptional catering provided by Dylan Henry and his team from Cumberland College.

Over the two days we had a variety of sessions that highlighted different areas of work in menstrual cycle health research. These included presentations and panels on endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome, menstrual tracking apps and menstrual information in Aotearoa, as well as exploring the diverse experiences of menstruators in our healthcare system.

We were able to hear from many of our PhD students and early career researchers whose projects we are watching develop and hope to hear back from our members as they progress through their research.

Along side our quickfire research sessions we also had key talks by individuals from around the country:

“Research activism for equitable cervical screening outcomes”

- Tania Slater and Jane McDonald

Te Tatai Hauora o Hine - National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aoteroa, Te Herenga Waka - University of Victoria Wellington

“Menstrual health across the lifespan”

- Deborah Brunt

Ōtepoti Integrative Health

“Empowering choices: redefining the paradigm of ovulation autonomy in clinical settings”

- Elizabeth Zizik

Hekate

“Towards trans inclusivity in menstrual health: Insights from the Trans Pregnancy Care Project”

- George Parker

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington

“Endometrial Cancer Research: The value of Māori and Pacific women”

- Roimata Tipene and Olivia Perelini

Māori Health Pipeline, Te Whatu Ora-Waitematā