Name: Diabetes & Women’s Health and Fertility Specialist Group -Women with Diabetes: Health throughout the life cycle
Start: 2025-11-07T09:00:00
End: 2025-11-07T16:30:00
Location: The Studio Birmingham, 7 Cannon Street, Birmingham, B2 5EP

Hosted by Diabetes & Women’s Health and Fertility Specialist Group

We are excited to be hosting an upcoming study day focused on "Women with Diabetes: Health Throughout the Life Cycle" This event aims to bring together leading experts in dietetics, diabetes care, and women's health to share knowledge, discuss advancements, and collaborate on improving patient outcomes. Topic areas to share include fertility and diabetes, pregnancy through to menopause and we are delighted to include people with lived experiences. This event will be held as a hybrid meeting, accessible both online and at thestudio in Birmingham.

Take a look at the event programme

Speakers & Sessions

Natasha Marsland, Senior Clinical Advisor, Diabetes UK

More about Natasha - Natasha Marsland MSc RD is a senior clinical advisor within the clinical team at Diabetes UK working on a range of initiatives including content production, education modules and evidence based- guidelines. Natasha was a member of Diabetes UK nutrition working group which published evidence-based nutritional guidelines for adults with diabetes and those at higher risk of type 2 diabetes. She received a MSc in disability studies from the University of Bristol and explored the hospital experience of adults with learning disabilities and diabetes during the pandemic.
Diet, Diabetes, and Menopause: Evidence and Implications for Practice, Laura Clark, The Menopause Dietitian

About Laura's talk - This session explores how the menopausal transition intersects with diet and diabetes management, drawing on current UK evidence and practice guidance. It considers both physiological and behavioural dimensions of care, including emerging discussions around weight inclusivity and how our approach as dietitians can better support women’s health through midlife and beyond.

More about Laura - Laura is the founder of The Menopause Dietitian, specialising in women’s health and midlife nutrition. With over 20 years’ experience across the NHS, private practice and media consultancy, she helps women navigate menopause through evidence-based nutrition, mindset and behaviour change. Laura developed the Anchor Framework to guide sustainable wellbeing beyond diet culture and has contributed to media including BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, BBC1's Con or Cure and leading health publications.
The bidirectional links between gut health and diabetes in Women’s Health, Dr Emily Porter, Gastroenterology Dietitian

About Emily's talk - The gut microbiome may play a role in the development and progression of diabetes. Conversely, metabolic dysfunction can impact the gut. This session will consider how hormonal changes in women correlate with shifts in the gut microbiome, the impact this has on metabolic health, and how diet, lifestyle and gut focussed strategies can support diabetes management in women.

More about Emily - Emily started her career working in academic research, completing a PhD in virology and contributing to projects focussed on immune responses to viral infections, and the involvement of the gut and respiratory microbiomes. She has worked for the NHS both as a gastroenterology, and a diabetes specialist dietitian. Emily now continues to support patients with metabolic health conditions through her role as a consultant dietitian for The Gut Health Clinic, alongside teaching as a Senior Lecturer in Dietetics at Wrexham University.
From Screening to Birth: The Dietitian’s Role in GDM, Catherine Gallagher, Dietetics Manager, Liverpool Women’s Hospital

About Catherine's talk - This session will explore the pivotal role of the dietitian in supporting women with gestational diabetes from diagnosis through to birth. Drawing on clinical experience from maternity and diabetes services, Catherine will discuss the dietitian’s role in screening, education, and ongoing management, as well as collaborative working within the multidisciplinary team (MDT). The talk will also highlight patient perspectives, practical dietary strategies, and the importance of personalised nutrition in optimising outcomes for both mother and baby.

More about Catherine - Catherine Gallagher is the Dietetic Manager at Liverpool Women’s Hospital (LWH), one of the UK’s leading maternity hospitals. She works clinically across maternity and diabetes antenatal services and is a specialist dietitian with over ten years of NHS experience in diabetes preconception and pregnancy care.
Obesity and Women’s Health (Including GLP-1 Therapy in PCOS), Dr Ali Abbara, Associate Professor in Endocrinology, Imperial College , London

About Dr Ali's talk - Obesity impairs reproductive health and reduces fertility rates through several mechanisms including increasing the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is associated with abnormally increased hypothalamic function, whereas obesity impairs hypothalamic function. Thus, obesity-related hypogonadism represents a distinct form of reproductive dysfunction from PCOS. Weight loss can improve signs and symptoms of PCOS / obesity-related hypogonadism. Pharmacological treatments including GLP-1 based therapies and surgical treatments can help ameliorate features of PCOS complicated by obesity.

More about Dr Ali - Dr Ali Abbara is an NIHR Clinician Scientist / Associate Professor at Imperial College London / Honorary Consultant in Reproductive Endocrinology at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. He graduated with honours from St Bartholomews’ and the Royal London medical school in 2004 completing his PhD in Reproductive Endocrinology at Imperial College in 2014. His research has been supported by funding from the NIHR, MRC, and Wellcome Trust and been published in leading scientific journals. He has a specialist interest in the endocrine regulation of reproduction including the impact of metabolic dysfunction in women with PCOS and on obesity-related hypogonadism.
Thyroid Disorders in Pregnancy, Dr Martin Whyte, Consultant Diabetes, King's College Hospital.Associate Professor of Metabolic Medicine, University of Surrey

About Dr Martin's talk - This lecture will explore the impact of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on fertility, pregnancy, and fetal outcomes. It will highlight the importance of optimal thyroid function before and during pregnancy, and review current evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and management. The session aims to equip dietitians with a clearer understanding of the nutritional and clinical considerations relevant to supporting women affected by thyroid disorders.

More about Dr Martin - Dr Whyte received his medical degree from King’s College Hospital School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1998. During his training, he was awarded four academic prizes, including a Medical Research Council Scholarship which allowed additional study for a degree in Physiology. In 2010, he received a PhD in Medicine from King’s College London for studies on the metabolic consequences of insulin action in critical illness. Dr Whyte was awarded CCT in Diabetes and Endocrinology in 2010. His Consultant practice is at King’s College Hospital, London. He also has an active clinical research and teaching portfolio at The University of Surrey and was promoted to Associate Professor of Metabolic Medicine in 2021.
Optimising Fertility and Preconception Outcomes in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, Anita Beckwith - Specialist Dietitian: Diabetes, Fertility, Women’s Health, King’s College Hospital, London
Lived experience - type 1 diabetes and experiences of pregnancy and menopause with Abbott ambassador and patient advocate - Dawn Adams.

More about Dawn - Dawn was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1993. After more than a decade working in education, she returned to Queen’s University Belfast to train as a Midwife. Dawn volunteers with and fundraises for various diabetes charities. She is an advocate for diabetes research and is working with researchers from Ulster University and Diabetes UK on the unique experiences of women with Diabetes during Menopause. She has previously worked with Abbott Laboratories to highlight stigma surrounding Diabetes and Menopause. In her spare time, she facilitates peer support network groups for people with diabetes locally, nationally, and globally.