The below blog post has been written by the research team, and details of how to participate in the research can be found at the bottom of this post. Verity have sighted the ethics approval granted for the recruitment of this study.
Women with PCOS are frequently guided by their doctors to diet and exercise changes for symptom management. However, with the rise of diet culture and societal pressures around body image, this advice can lead women into a path of strict control over their body. This study aims to explore how women with PCOS make sense of the guidance provided from medical and cultural influences, and how this advice shapes their relationships with their bodies, food, and health behaviours.
My name is Katherine Ward, and this research is being completed as part of my Undergraduate dissertation for Human Sciences at the University of Oxford. The research project will interview several women with PCOS to understand how medical and cultural narratives about metabolism impact women’s experience with PCOS, with results contributing to the development of patient-centred treatment and support.
What’s involved?
- You will be invited to take part in semi-structured interviews for approximately 60 minutes via Microsoft Teams.
- You would be asked to talk about your PCOS diagnosis, symptoms and day-to-day experiences and emotions.
Who can take part?
Inclusion criteria:
- Adults aged over 18.
- Assigned female at birth AND identify as female.
- Diagnosed with PCOS by a healthcare professional.
Exclusion criteria:
- Currently pregnant.
Why Take Part?
By participating you will help improve insight into the impact of medical and cultural messaging surrounding PCOS, providing guidance for how to improve treatment and help other women with PCOS navigate their condition alongside their wellbeing and self-esteem. There will be no financial compensation for study participation.
How to Get Involved:
If you are interested and would like more information please follow the link below. Here, there is more detailed information about the process, as well as an online Microsoft form which you will need to complete if you wish to participate.
Click here to sign up and for more information
If you have any further questions please contact Katherine Ward at the Institute of Human Sciences, Oxford using katherine.ward@magd.ox.ac.uk. There is no obligation to take part.
For more support within topics of PCOS, body image, metabolism and wellbeing please reach out to your GP, Verity or BEAT UK (an eating disorder charity) via their websites.
Thank you for your interest! Please circulate this opportunity with others you know who may be interested.
———
Full communication details:
Institute of Human Sciences
The Pauling Centre, 58a Banbury Road, Park Town, Oxford OX2 6QS
Principal Investigator: Lys Alcayna-Stevens
lys.alcayna-stevens@anthro.ox.ac.uk
Katherine Ward, Undergraduate Student BA Human Sciences
Oxford University telephone number: 01865 274702
Oxford University email address: katherine.ward@magd.ox.ac.uk
Verity - The PCOS charity 