Institute themes

The Institute for Women and Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Health focuses on five main themes and two cross-cutting themes.

Mains areas

Sexual and reproductive health and rights

This area of research explores issues relating to sexuality, contraceptive practices, assisted reproduction, abortion, and access to health information and services. It also focuses on women’s ability to enjoy a fulfilling sexuality, freely chosen and protected, in particular against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.

Based on the definition of sexual and reproductive health proposed by the World Health Organization, this theme adopts a global approach, integrating not only the physical aspects, but also the mental and social dimensions, which are essential for a thorough understanding of these issues.

Particular attention will be paid to the differences between women and men in the field of sexual and reproductive health, as sexuality is an area where gender stereotypes are still very strong and influence behavior, expectations and access to care.

Gynecological Health

This research area explores women’s gynaecological health and its management from historical, social and medical perspectives. Particular focus is given to endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and gynaecological cancers, such as uterus cancer and breast cancer.

Women’s health related to pregnancy

In this area, we see pregnancy and immediate postpartum as a window in women’s lives. We wish to focus on the links between women’s health events in this window and, on the one hand, their preconception health, and on the other, their mid- and long-term health after pregnancy, particularly cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health. The pregnancy window is seen both as a window of vulnerability, but also as an opportunity to implement prevention and screening strategies, since women are in contact with the healthcare system. Finally, research in this area includes exploring the impact of the mother’s health on that of the fetus and young child, in line with the objectives of the national 1000 first days plan.

Mental Health

We focus on women’s mental health through the impact of different stages in women’s lives, such as puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, PMA, contraception and menopause. But also, by studying the specific features of mental disorders in women: their clinical manifestations, determinants, risk factors and treatment. Finally, we are particularly interested in the impact of certain female pathologies, such as PCOS, endometriosis and certain female cancers, on women’s mental health.

Specificities of women in chronic conditions

This research area focuses on the study of women’s specificities in conditions not directly related to reproduction and sexual organs. We study primarily sex and gender differences in cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, with the ambition to extend this approach to neurological, endocrinological, autoimmune, infectious, osteoarticular and cancer conditions.

Cross-cutting themes

In addition to these 5 main areas, 2 cross-cutting themes are also defined, whose themes are intended to be invested within the five main areas.

Living, growing, and aging in good health

This area encompasses research focused on health promotion, the prevention of major diseases affecting women, and age-related health consequences. In this context, the institute’s mission is to advance research on lifestyle interventions that enhance women’s well-being, extend longevity, and improve quality of life across the life course.

Environment & climate change

In a world undergoing profound social and environmental mutations, mutations that mutually determine each other, women’s health, and in particular that of particularly vulnerable sub-groups, is a research and knowledge-sharing issue in which the institute is fully involved.

In this context, the institute’s mission is to promote research on the role of the environment in both its social and physical dimensions, to inform and to raise awareness on women’s health issues.

 

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