The Australian Women and Girls’ Health Research Centre are conducting research into how menstrual disorders and pelvic pain impact the day-to-day lives of 11-19 year old girls*.
We will survey a large national cohort of teenage girls* and their mothers about their experiences of menstruation and pelvic pain, looking at numerous life factors, including education, physical activity, family and social life and wellbeing. We want to know if girls* are missing out on any important life activities because of their periods or pelvic pain.
The knowledge we gain from the MadeHER study, will inform policy and guide health professionals to improve risk assessment, prevention, and management of menstrual disorders and pelvic pain, as well as improve information materials for educators, teenagers, and their families.
MadeHER is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and will run for five years.
Download our flyer (PDF, 171.7 KB)
*Acknowledgement of gender identity: The MadeHER Study aims to gather information to inform policies and services focussed on improving the health and wellbeing of Australian girls and women. We acknowledge that the boundaries around what “girls and women’s health” incorporates are not always clear, and that sex and gender are distinct concepts. Although it is necessary for us to collect information on health topics related to the female sex (i.e., periods and pelvic pain), we acknowledge that not everyone who identifies as a girl/woman experiences these female-specific health issues or identifies as female. We value the contribution of all our participants.
- Professor Gita Mishra The University of Queensland
- Dr Lexie Prokopuk The University of Queensland
- Professor Martha Hickey The University of Melbourne
- Professor Jenny Doust The University of Queensland
- Professor Cynthia Farquhar The University of Auckland
- Associate Professor Leigh Tooth The University of Queensland
- Professor Deb Loxton University of Newcastle
- Professor Annette Dobson The University of Queensland
- Associate Professor Susan Evans Pelvic Pain Foundation Australia
- Dr Katrina Moss The University of Queensland
- Dr Lisa Buckley The University of Queensland
- Professor Grant Montgomery The University of Queensland
- Dr David Ireland CSIRO
- Ms Jessica Taylor QENDO
- Ms Sarah Kell The University of Queensland
To inform the development of the MadeHER study, we have established the MadeHER-Young Persons Advisory Group (YPAG). The MadeHER-YPAG is a consumer reference group of 11-19 year old girls and their role is to ensure that the MadeHER Study investigates issues most relevant to Australian girls and women. The MadeHER-YPAG will be vital in interpreting results and identifying the key messages of our study outcomes.
Using a co-designed approach towards the development of the survey, will improve accessibility of our research and increase the diversity and retention of our participants.
If you would like to be involved in the MadeHER-YPAG, please reach out and email us at MadeHER@uq.edu.au.
All hands on deck!
Our partners and collaborators for MadeHER:
- The University of Melbourne
- The University of Newcastle
- The University of Auckland
- Pelvic Pain Foundation Australia
- CSIRO
- QENDO
Check out MadeHER in the news!
- Research Australia: INSPIRE Issue 29 2023
- Modibodi + MadeHER: Period Pals
Withdrawing from the MadeHER project (Teens)
If you want to stop participating in the study, or have any questions about participating, please contact Dr Lexie Prokopuk, lexie.prokopuk@uq.edu.au.
You are under no obligation to continue with the consented release of your MBS, PBS, or AIR information. You may change your mind at any time about releasing this information to the study. You (if you are 14-19 years) or your parent ( if you are 11-13 years) can withdraw your consent to release your MBS, PBS, or AIR information by completing and signing the ‘Services Australia Child Study Withdrawal Form’ or ‘Services Australia Participant Study Withdrawal' (ages 14-19). You must supply this form to the research team, if you choose to withdraw your consent for the release of your linked data at a later date. If you withdraw your consent, you will be able to choose whether the study will destroy or retain the information we have collected about you. You should only choose one of these options. Where both boxes are ticked in error or neither box is ticked, the study will destroy all information it has collected about you. If you wish to withdraw your consented release of your NAPLAN, hospital, or emergency department data, please send your ‘Services Australia Child Study Withdrawal Form’ or ‘Services Australia Participant Study Withdrawal' (ages 14-19) to Dr Lexie Prokopuk, lexie.prokopuk@uq.edu.au. Please note that data about you that has already been analysed and/or included in a publication by the study will not be able to be destroyed. In such circumstances, your personal information will continue to form part of the project study records and results. Your privacy will continue to be protected at all times.
Withdrawing from the MadeHER project (Mothers)
If you want to stop participating in the study, or have any questions about participating, please contact Dr Lexie Prokopuk, lexie.prokopuk@uq.edu.au.
You/your child are under no obligation to continue with this study once you have consented. People withdraw from studies for various reasons, and a reason does not need to be provided to us. If you wish to withdraw the consented release of your survey information, NAPLAN, hospital, or emergency department data, please contact Dr Lexie Prokopuk, lexie.prokopuk@uq.edu.au. Please note, the information collected prior to your withdrawal, will still be used unless you explicitly request otherwise.
You are under no obligation to continue with the consented release of you/your child’s MBS, PBS, or AIR information. You may change your mind at any time about releasing this information to the study. You can withdraw your consent to release your/your child’s MBS, PBS, or AIR information by completing and signing the ‘Services Australia Child Study Withdrawal Form’ and 'Services Australia Participant Study Withdrawal Form’. You must supply this form to the research team, if you choose to withdraw your consent for the release of your linked data at a later date. If you withdraw your consent, you will be able to choose whether the study will destroy or retain the information we have collected about you. Please note that data about you and/or your child that has already been analysed and/or included in a publication by the study will not be able to be destroyed. In such circumstances, your personal information will continue to form part of the project study records and results. Your privacy will continue to be protected at all times.
Contact us
If you’d like to find out more about our study, please reach out and
email us.
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