What is PCOS?

PCOS is the most common female endocrine disorder that affects women of reproductive age.  Common symptoms of PCOS include delayed or absent menstrual periods, weight gain, excessive hair growth, acne, depression and anxiety.  

What is your research about?

This particular research study is a feasibility and pilot study.  This means that we are interested in finding out whether or not it is possible to carry out a larger-scale study in the future and which will depend on a number of factors such as:

- are women with PCOS interested in using Chinese herbs for their symptoms?

- is taking Chinese herbs for 6 months acceptable to women with PCOS?

- are there measurable benefits from taking Chinese herbs?

Who can apply?

Women are eligible to apply who:

- are aged 18-44

- have been diagnosed with PCOS

- have delayed periods or no periods i.e. periods are typically more than 35 days apart

- have not been taking a hormonal contraceptive e.g. Dianette or mirena coil in the last 6 months

- are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

There are a number of other criteria that will also be checked before joining the study to make sure it it safe and suitable to take part.

Where can I get more information?

You can read more frequently asked questions and access a Participant Information Sheet via the study website by clicking on the following link:

the ORCHID study

Please also do not hesitate to get in touch directly if you have specific questions or concerns on:

info@ChineseMedicineResearch.co.uk

07527 929 322

Thanks very much for your interest and for your support!

MedicX is currently holding an Open Evening which will take place later on this month on:

Wednesday 20th March 10am-8pm

Drinks and nibbles will be available, and I am planning to be there for at least 10am-12pm to answer queries:

• for practitioners/therapists interested in finding out what it's like to work here
• for members of the public interested in finding out more about acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine
• for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are interested in finding out more about the Chinese herbal medicine research study that is currently open and inviting women to join

If you are thinking of popping in and want to confirm the time that I will be there, please feel free to contact me directly.

Hope to see you there on the 20th!

• Has polycystic ovary syndrome?
• Has irregular or no periods?
• Is aged 18-44?
• Would be able to attend clinic visits in either Hertfordshire (Berkhamsted/Hemel Hempstead) or London (Primrose Hill)?

If so, they could be suitable to join a Chinese herbal medicine PhD pilot study that Lily is currently organising and seeing participants for.

As part of this study, women will be randomised to one or two types of Chinese herbal treatment - no placebo or dummy treatment will be used.  All women will have access to consultations with a Chinese medicine herbalist and to 6 months' worth of Chinese herbal medicines free of charge.

For further information about the study and about how to join, please visit the study website for more details, or contact Lily directly on: 

07527 929 322

info@ChineseMedicineResearch.co.uk

Website

Today is the first day I'm seeing patients from my new premises in MedicX Pharmacy in Hemel Hempstead and I look forward to welcoming everyone over the next few weeks in my new home!  

I am also excited to announce that I will  be officially opening my research study this month that will offer eligible women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) the use of Chinese herbal medicines for 6 months.  This work is being carried out as part of my PhD with the University of Southampton, and is being funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). 

If you know anybody with PCOS who may be interested, please direct them to the study website where they can found out information about the study, what it involves, and how they can join the study. 

PCOS Research Study

Thanks for your support, and I look forward to updating you with our progress over the coming months!

With best wishes,

Lily 

May 2013 be a fabulous, happy and healthy one for you and your family - I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone again in the New Year!

All the very best,

Lily

My new address from January 2013 will be:

Consultation Rooms

MedicX Pharmacy (within Lincoln House Surgery)

161 London Road

Apsley

Hemel Hempstead

Hertfordshire

HP3 9SQ

As always, any feedback about my new premises is always welcome - I look forward to welcoming both current and new patients here in 2013!

Thanks to all who have expressed very kind words of support and well wishes for Karen - I and along with other practitioners working at Revive wish her all the very best for her future ahead and hope that much success and excitement awaits her in the coming new year!

In the last few months, we have been asking for feedback about our study website which aims to provide information about the study to those who may be interested in taking part.  We have had some very useful feedback so far about the site and have already made a number of changes which have included the following:

• Improving on the clarity of some of the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions sections
• Making links to other websites embedded within the text clearer by altering the font colour
• Including some more Frequently Asked Questions

This feedback has been extremely useful and we would still very much like to hear from you if you have a spare moment to help review our website for us.  The website can be accessed by clicking on the Orchid Study and you can provide feedback by emailing us directly on:

info@ChineseMedicineResearch.co.uk

Anyone can help and you don't have to have PCOS in order to give us constructive feedback, so please do get in touch if you can.

Thank you in advance for all your comments!

I've just returned from a flying visit to Singapore which has in the most part been a lovely and much-needed holiday.  However, I was also fortunate to be able to make a few visits to some of Singapore's key figures in the Chinese medicine clinical and research world.  These visits involved some really stimulating conversation about how different (and similar!) research and clinical practice is between UK and Singapore and to share ideas about future projects and study designs.  One Chinese medicine hospital I visited in the central district sees 8000 patients per day - isn't that phenomenal?  Research funding is pretty tough out there which is much the same for the UK too, but the researchers I met form a superbly enthusiastic group and who share a strong passion for evidence-based Chinese medical research.  I sincerely hope to be meeting this inspirational group of researchers again sometime soon, perhaps back in Singapore or at an upcoming conference!      

Tomorrow I shall be meeting with Chinese medicine practitioners in London to speak about my upcoming research study that will be offering women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Chinese herbs for 6 months.  I found out recently that I secured 5 minutes of floor time at one of the professional body's conferences so I hope I manage to engage some practitioners about my work.  I know it's a PhD but it's not all dull, I promise...!  Hoping to start the study this Winter so watch this space for more updates along the way...!

For more information about the bands and comedians and to get tickets online, click here.