Created by early-career researchers at the Wellcome Genome Campus, Gynaware is a pocket-size booklet that distils peer-reviewed science into clear illustrations and concise text. Inside you’ll find essential facts on female reproductive anatomy, the menstrual cycle, contraception, menopause and conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary
syndrome, and vulvodynia, all in a format that is easy to carry, read and share.
Classroom teaching often skims over gynaecological health, leaving many people unsure how to recognise symptoms or speak up for themselves. Recent figures from a 2023 YouGov survey for charity The Eve Appeal highlight the gap:
Gynaware sets out to close this knowledge gap within the Wellcome Genome Campus community. By presenting reliable information in an accessible, stigma-free way, we aim to help everyone advocate for their own and their loved ones’ reproductive health and to foster open conversation across campus.
How do the brain, ovaries and uterus stay in sync each month?
Follow the monthly hand-off of hormones from the brain to the ovaries and to the uterus. Quick checkpoints show what “typical” bleeding and discomfort look like, how hormonal contraception interrupts the signal chain and what shifts to expect as menopause approaches.
Misplaced or overgrown uterine-like tissue can cause significant pain, heavy bleeding and fertility hurdles. Compare the key features of these three conditions, review the main ideas about why they form, learn the early warning signs and see the current diagnostic and treatment routes.
Hormones, energy balance and brain chemistry all play a role in cycle regularity and mood. Discover what distinguishes these disorders, clear up common myths and explore lifestyle, medical and mental-health options that can help restore balance.
A stable microbiome, relaxed muscles and healthy nerves keep the vagina and vulva comfortable. Understand how dysbiosis develops, what can trigger vaginismus and vulvodynia, and the range of clinical and self-care strategies that reduce discomfort and support everyday wellbeing.
Five main cancers can affect the reproductive tract. Learn the early signs, risk factors and recommended screening schedules for cancers of the uterus, ovaries, cervix, vulva and vagina, and see how HPV vaccination and genetic testing support prevention and early detection.
The Gynaware content was shaped by early-career researchers in the Vento Lab with expertise across reproductive biology and genomics, and brought to life through original illustrations by talented artists and scientists at the Wellcome Genome Campus and beyond:
Writers and editors: Valentina Lorenzi, Charlotte Cassie, Marie Moullet, Ana Paredes, and Christina Kim.
Illustrators: Antonio Garcia, Petra Korlevic, Megan Gozzard, Lia Bote, and Isabelle Zane.
We’re grateful to everyone who contributed their time and knowledge to making this resource clear, accessible, and visually engaging.
