Verity - sharing the truth about PCOS

Senior Lecturer in Reproductive Endocrinology, St. George's, University of London

Helen has been carrying out research on polycystic ovaries for over 20 years. Having completed her PhD on the mechanism of anovulation in these patients her research interests expanded to cover many aspects of the function of polycystic ovaries and the ovary in general. Moving from Imperial College to St. George’s in 1998 she has established a group of scientists with a primary interest in this condition. She has published over 60 papers in the area, contributed to a number of books and has several grant-funded programmes.

Helen teaches science of reproduction to medical students and offers a number of programmes to educate students about this fascinating condition. She has been a scientific advisor to Verity for many years and is an executive director of PCOS UK the body established by Verity to educate professionals.

Consultant Gynaecologist at St Mary's Hospital

Lisa Webber is a consultant Gynaecologist and specialist in Reproductive Medicine at St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London.   Her PhD studied the development of small follicles in the polycystic ovary and she now specialises in disorders of ovarian function, especially the clinical aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome.  The association of obesity with PCOS has led to her being a founding member and treasurer of ESCO (Experts in Severe & Complex Obesity). 

PCOS specialist Dietitian, Bedford Hospital

Samantha Bailey is a registered dietitian currently working freelance alongside her NHS post at Bedford Hospital.  She has worked in many different areas of dietetics including nutritional support, oncology, cardiology, medicine, surgery, diabetes and gastroenterology.  She has experience working on wards and in outpatient clinics as well as community settings such as GP clinics and nursing homes.  Samantha has a special interest in PCOS and has been involved in specific multidisciplinary clinics at Bedford Hospital since 2002.  She also runs freelance clinics in Northampton.

Samantha was delighted to be asked to join the executive council at PCOS UK and believes her role is to ensure that evidence based nutrition education forms an important part of the management of PCOS. She is keen to promote the skills a dietitian can contribute to a multidisciplinary approach and has recently written a course for dietitians.

Director, Natural Health Clinic

Carol has been a Director at the Natural Health Clinic in Cardiff for five years. The clinic is the oldest one in Cardiff having started 25 years ago this year. Carol manages what is now a thriving clinic of over 20 therapists offering a wide range of complimentary therapies aswell as her own busy reiki practice. She has been practising reiki for 10 years and also teaches it to students at the clinic. Carol has a wealth of experience and knowledge of complimentary therapies and has just opened another clinic in Caerleon, Newport.

Chinese Herbalist and Acupuncturist

Henry has practiced oriental medicine since 1993, having studied, shiatsu, acupuncture and Chinese herbs for nine years.   He specialises in gynaecology and oncology, and has undertaken placements in the gynaecology wards in several Chinese hospitals, where PCOS is treated.  His latest book is called “Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches to Cancer” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers).  He lives with his wife and three children in Bristol.  Articles about his work can be read at henrymcgrath.com.

Acupuncturist and Shamanic Healer

Maxine is an Acupuncturist and Shamanic Healer trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine here in the UK and China.   She has a special intrest in womens health and has over 10 years experience working with women with conditions of the womb, such as PCOS.  Acupuncture works to help the body to restore, healing the unbalances and working with the uniqueness of each individual woman.
 
Maxine is a member of the Zita West Fertility Network, working with couples and individuals through assisted fertility treatments eg IVF and with those wishing  to conceive naturally.