Research Participant Information and Consent

AIAH.Health conducts research to advance understanding of women's health across the life course — including hormones, symptoms, reproductive health, menopause and the interaction between lifestyle and biomarkers. The specific purpose of the study you are being invited to join is described in the study-specific addendum you will receive.

Participation is entirely voluntary. Choosing not to take part will not affect your access to the AIAH.Health Service or any care you receive from us or a third party.

You may be asked to allow use of data you have already entered in the Service, to answer additional questionnaires, or to attend interviews or focus groups. The study-specific addendum details the exact activities, time commitment and any compensation.

You can withdraw at any time without giving a reason and without affecting your rights. On withdrawal, data collected up to that point may still be used in an anonymised form to preserve the integrity of the research; new data collection stops immediately.

Direct identifiers (name, email, contact details) are separated from research datasets and stored under stricter access controls. Study staff are bound by confidentiality obligations. Research outputs (papers, presentations) do not identify individual participants.

• Data will be used only for the purposes described in the study-specific addendum.
• Legal basis: consent under Article 6(1)(a) plus explicit consent under Article 9(2)(a) UK GDPR, or scientific research under Article 9(2)(j) with Article 89 safeguards, as applicable.
• Pseudonymised datasets may be retained for up to 10 years after study close to enable verification and follow-on analysis.
• Where relevant, aggregated results may be shared with academic collaborators or partner NHS organisations under written agreement.

Results may be published in peer-reviewed journals, at conferences and in AIAH.Health educational materials. Publications are in aggregated or anonymised form only.

The main risks in most studies relate to the sensitivity of the topics; participation may involve reflecting on personal experiences. The study-specific addendum explains any specific risks and safeguards. Direct benefits vary by study; broader benefit is to advance women's health knowledge.

Studies involving NHS patients, tissue or interventions are submitted for review by an appropriate Research Ethics Committee. Non-NHS studies are reviewed by AIAH.Health's internal ethics review process.

Study-specific queries: as set out in the addendum. General queries: [hello@aiah.health]. Data protection queries: [dpo@aiah.health]. Complaints: [dpo@aiah.health] or the UK Information Commissioner's Office.

By signing/ticking below I confirm that:

1. I have read and understood the Participant Information and the study-specific addendum, and have had the opportunity to ask questions.
2. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I can withdraw at any time, without giving a reason.
3. I consent to my personal data (including special category health data) being processed for the purposes of the study as described.
4. I understand how my data will be stored, shared and retained.
5. I consent to my pseudonymised data being retained for up to 10 years for verification and follow-on analysis.
6. I understand that anonymised aggregated results may be published.
7. I agree to take part in the study.

Participant name: _____________________ Signature: _____________________ Date: __________

Researcher name: _____________________ Signature: _____________________ Date: __________