Dr Jacqueline Maybin (BSc, MBChB, PhD, MRCOG)
Reader and Honorary Consultant Gynaecologist
Address
- Street
-
Centre for Reproductive Health
Institute for Regeneration and Repair
4-5 Little France Drive - City
- Edinburgh
- Post code
- EH16 4UU
Background
I am a Reader and Consultant Gynaecologist at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian.
In my clinical role, I run a specialist menstrual disorders service offering medical and surgical treatments. My research team aims to develop better preventative and therapeutic strategies for problematic menstrual bleeding, a common and debilitating symptom. Currently, I hold a Wellcome Clinical Career Development Fellowship to investigate the role of hypoxia in menstrual physiology and pathology. We are also examining the potential link between COVID and menstrual disturbance. I sit on the Editorial Board of Reproduction, Journal for Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders and Physiological Reviews. I am president of the RCOG Blair Bell Society, a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Young Academy of Scotland and Chair the National Menstrual Clinical Network for the Scottish Government.
Open to PhD supervision enquiries?
Yes
Research summary
Our current research focuses on the physiology of menstruation and the aberrations that lead to problematic periods. We have a particular interest in the cause of heavy menstrual bleeding, a condition that has a severe negative impact on the quality of life of many women. We study the role of hypoxia during menstruation, particularly during the repair of the denuded endometrial surface. Our aim is to develop new, acceptable treatments for women with heavy periods to minimise the need for fertility removing surgery.
Current research interests
We aim to improving the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding to enhance quality of life for women, their families and society. We do this by defining the mechanisms that underpin abnormal menstrual bleeding through translational laboratory research and clinical studies and collaborate across disciplines and sectors to increase the impact of our work. Current research areas include (1) Translational studies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (2) Translational studies to investigate menstrual disturbance during the COVID-19 pandemic (3) Research to reduce the negative impact of menstruation on women and girls.Knowledge exchange
We hosted BBC5Live Radio Show with Naga Munchetty to discuss the latest research and policy on problematic menstrual bleeding. https://www.ed.ac.uk/centre-reproductive-health/news/2023-news/bbc-radio-5-live-airs-from-the-crh-lab
Featured in the award winning BBC Radio 4/BBC Sounds series ‘28(ish) Days Later’ in episodes 1, 2, 7, 14, 16&24. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bvg9nm
Scottish Government and Alliance Webinar ‘Periods are normal – but what are normal periods?’ https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/blog/events/webinar-periods-are-normal-but-what-is-a-normal-period/
Menstrual Health Video for NHS Inform Women’s Health Platform to explain ‘typical’ and ‘problematic’ periods as part of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan. https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/girls-and-young-women-puberty-to-around-25/periods-and-menstrual-health/periods-menstruation
The University of Edinburgh’s Research Insights Dr Jackie Maybin ‘Too much blood: when periods are a problem. https://www.ed.ac.uk/medicine-vet-medicine/news-events/college-events/research-insights/winter-21-22-programme/when-periods-are-a-problem. Research Insights is the University of Edinburgh’s free online public event programme exploring the science and research taking place within CMVM.
Development of the HOPE Menstrual Health website (Healthy, Optimal Periods for Everyone) in collaboration with the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Young Academy of Scotland. www.ed.ac.uk/hope.
Development of research animations (Menstrual problems). ISSF3 CMVM Public Engagement with Research Seed Fund. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQxrARdTVwk.
BBC Radio 5 Live. https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/short/what-causes-heavy-periods
New Scientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/2096346-womens-heavy-periods-could-be-explained-by-missing-protein/
Radio 4 “Leading Edge” interview on their program on Funding Research, 2009. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mwwgc
Max Perutz/Guardian science writing prize, 2009 http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/aug/31/max-perutz-science-writing-prize.
Affiliated research centres
Current project grants
Wellbeing of Women Clinical Research Training Fellowship (PhD). Watters M, Maybin JA (Principal Supervisor) ‘Can the analysis of menstrual fluid inform the clinical management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)? August 2023 to July 2026.
Wellcome Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship (Stage 2). Maybin JA (PI), Walmsley S, Saunders PKT, Weir C, Carmeliet P, Pollard J, Critchley HOD. Examining physiological hypoxia at menstruation to define the mechanisms that underpin endometrial resilience and heavy menstrual bleeding. August 2019 to July 2025.
Wellbeing of Women James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership for Problematic Menstrual Bleeding. Maybin JA (PI), Sharp G (Co PI). January 2024 to January 2026.
Past project grants
Wellbeing of Women Project Grant. Maybin JA (PI), Kershaw L (CoI), Mcnaught G (CoI), Critchley HOD (CoI). Does increased endometrial perfusion and lack of hypoxia at menstruation lead to heavy menstrual bleeding? July 2016 to June 2019.
Wellcome Trust Early Postdoctoral Training Fellowship for Clinician Scientists, Maybin JA (PI), Hirani N (CoI), Saunders PKT (CoI), Carmeliet P (CoI), Critchley HOD (CoI). The role of hypoxia inducible factor in endometrial repair: a potential therapeutic target for heavy menstrual bleeding. August 2013 to August 2015.
Tenovus Scotland Pilot Grant. Maybin JA (PI). The role of hypoxia in miRNA regulation at menstruation to influence menstrual blood loss. Sept 2019-May 2020.
Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Reboot (COVID-19 Impact) Research Grant. Maybin JA (PI). The effect of the menstrual cycle on longer-term symptoms of COVID-19. May 2021 to Nov 2021.
Academy of Medical Sciences Starter Grant for Clinical Lecturers, Maybin JA (PI), Critchley HOD (CoI), Webb D (Collaborator), Carmeliet P (Collaborator). Is hypoxia required for hypoxia inducible factor stabilisation at menstruation to drive efficient endometrial repair and limit menstrual blood loss? July 2016 to July 2017.
Society for Endocrinology Early Career Grant, Maybin JA (PI), Duncan WC, Critchley HOD. Is aberrant TGF-β superfamily signalling involved in defective endometrial repair and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)? May 2013 to May 2014.