ABCD researcher Marlies Visser receives funding as one of the 2025 Impulse projects of the Amsterdam Cohort Hub.
Her research focuses on the prevalence of menstrual characteristics and complaints in diverse populations and their impact on well-being and social participation, such as at school, at work, in social life, or in sports.
To achieve this, Marlies will collaborate with multiple cohorts within Amsterdam UMC and conduct secondary data analysis using data from the ABCD, HELIUS, and OMEGA cohorts.
Menstrual problems such as pain and heavy bleeding affect millions of girls and women worldwide but often remain underrepresented in research. Particularly in ethnically diverse populations, little is known about the prevalence and impact of these complaints. However, previous literature suggests that menstrual problems can have major consequences for well-being and social participation, partly due to unmet healthcare needs, stigma, and a lack of knowledge.
This recognition provides a valuable boost for research into women-specific health.