‘The Wonder Down There’ is a short musical science documentary that takes us on a journey of discovery into the vagina. The Isala research project, led by Professor Sarah Lebeer, is investigating a subject that has been largely overlooked: the vaginal microbiome. The team collects and examines more than 6,000 samples, quickly becoming the largest study of the vaginal microbiome in the world and winning several awards. ‘The Wonder Beneath’ is a collaboration between researcher Sarah Ahannach, who is part of the Isala project at the University of Antwerp, and filmmaker Nina Landau.

After the documentary is broadcast, Nina will give a brief explanation of the how and why of this documentary, how it came about and what her connection is with female pain symptoms. Inas Rahou, fellow endometriosis patient and Isala employee, briefly explains their work on the vaginal microbiome, its importance for women’s health and what future research (including links to endometriosis) is planned.

Isala will then host a lively and interesting panel discussion on women’s health between several prominent figures in the healthcare and endometriosis landscape in Belgium:
– Prof. Dr. Petra De Sutter (Rector of Ghent University)
– Colette Peeters (osteopath DO-MSc. – specialising in gynaecology, endometriosis and fertility)
– Dr. Roos Leroy (Scientific Director of the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE))
– Dr. Francesca Donders (endometriosis expert and gynaecological surgeon at UVC/CHU Brugmann / Clinical Investigator & Research Coordinator at Femicare vzw)