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.
Is the workplace designed for menstruating bodies?
If you’ve ever had to balance menstrual symptoms alongside work, you’re not alone. I’m carrying out a research study exploring how menstrual health — including symptoms often associated with PCOS — can shape people’s everyday experiences at work. While PCOS isn’t the sole focus of this research, I know that many people with PCOS live with ongoing symptoms that can affect working life in complex ways.
About the Study
In this study, I’m interested in how people manage menstrual symptoms at work, how supported (or unsupported) they feel, and how workplace expectations interact with health.
I’m conducting this research as a final-year undergraduate student at University College London (UCL), drawing on sociological perspectives that centre lived experience. The study has received ethical approval, and everything you share will be anonymous and confidential.
What’s Involved?
- Completing a short, anonymous online survey – with an optional opt in for an interview
- Reflecting on menstrual health and workplace experiences
- Takes around 10–15 minutes
- Entirely online, so you can take part whenever it suits you
Who Can Take Part?
You’re welcome to take part if you:
- Are aged 25 to 44
- Menstruate or have menstruated
- Are currently working in the UK
Why Take Part?
By taking part, you’d be contributing to research that aims to make menstrual health at work more visible and better understood. Your experiences can help inform future conversations around workplace support, flexibility, and inclusion — including for people living with PCOS and other long-term menstrual health conditions.
How to Get Involved
If this resonates with you and you’d like to take part, you can complete the survey here:
https://forms.microsoft.com/e/nq38MMUVVc
The survey will remain open until March 27th.
About Me
I’m a final-year undergraduate student at UCL with a strong interest in menstrual health, bodies at work, and health equity. This research is important to me because menstrual health is still often treated as private or invisible, despite how much it can shape people’s working lives.
Closing & Contact
Thank you for taking the time to read about this research. If you think this study might be relevant to someone you know, please feel free to share it. If you have any questions, I’d be very happy to hear from you at india.daniel.22@ucl.ac.uk.
Verity - The PCOS charity 