FACTS Conference Speaker Highlight: Pilar Vigil, MD
Championing Restorative Reproductive Health through Research and Practice
By: Molly Franzonello
Director’s Note: In anticipation of our virtual conference this month, we are delighted to highlight Dr. Pilar Vigil, a leading expert in the field of restorative reproductive medicine and a longtime friend of FACTS. We first met Dr. Vigil through her work with TeenSTAR International and quickly bonded over our mutual dedication to empower young people with knowledge about their reproductive health. Our collaboration has continued through her role as director of the Reproductive Health Research Institute (RHRI) and her work with FEMM Health. She was also a co-author on our groundbreaking research review article on Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Women’s Health and Family Planning. Dr. Vigil’s unique path, international scope, and expertise will enrich the 2024 FACTS conference to be held virtually on October 18th (6pm – 8:30pm ET) and October 19th (9am – 4pm). Not able to join us live? Recordings will be available if you register in advance. Don’t delay, register today!
Inspiration and Early Career
Dr. Pilar Vigil’s passion for reproductive health began early in her medical career. Although her residency training was in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN), she soon realized her curiosity went beyond clinical practice. A fascination with reproductive medicine, the intricate world of hormones, and female physiology led her to pursue a PhD in reproductive physiology after residency. An innate drive to explore the deeper aspects of physiology and constantly ask “why” propelled her into the world of research. Her academic journey saw her flourish as a professor at the Faculty of Biological Sciences in Chile, where she made significant contributions to reproductive health and immuno-engineering, working with advanced technologies to unravel complex biological systems.
Balancing Research and Clinical Practice
Dr. Vigil has skillfully blended her academic and clinical interests. Conducting research at RHRI while also treating women in practice keeps her work clinically relevant and her research innovative. Reflecting on her practice, she explained it is “divided between research and clinical care, which is my wire to earth; it is so good to be aware of what is really happening in the world with real women.” This combination enables her to provide evidence-based treatments, particularly for metabolic issues, ovulatory dysfunction, and the intricate hormonal interactions that affect body and brain function. Identifying hormonal values throughout a patient’s normal menstrual cycle has been essential in managing ovulatory disorders. She finds great fulfillment in translational medicine, a field that bridges the gap between research and patient care.
“(My practice) is divided between research and clinical care, which is my wire to earth; it is so good to be aware of what is really happening in the world with real women.”
Challenges in Research and Practice
Like many pioneers in their field, Dr. Vigil has faced numerous challenges. One of the early battles involved raising awareness about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when the medical community largely dismissed the condition. PCOS is a common cause of irregular cycles, which Dr. Vigil will address in her presentation at the FACTS virtual conference. “Many years ago,” she recalled, “we were working with Dr. Emil Steinberger regarding polycystic ovarian disease, and everybody started saying this doesn’t exist. Yet, we were diagnosing all these women with PCOS.” In actuality, they demonstrated the existence of different subtypes of PCOS, which has enabled more prompt and appropriate treatment of this chronic medical condition.
Having also faced skepticism while working on human papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical cancer, she is aware that new medical ideas often encounter resistance. Despite these hurdles, Dr. Vigil remains steadfast, knowing scientific progress often requires pushing against established norms and protocols.
“Despite these hurdles, Dr. Vigil remains steadfast, knowing scientific progress often requires pushing against established norms and protocols.”
The Importance of Education and Curiosity
A firm believer in understanding the “why” behind medical conditions, Dr. Vigil emphasizes the critical role of physiology and the basic sciences in clinical practice. She encourages students and young clinicians to follow medical protocols, and challenges them by asking deeper questions. “My advice is to study. Study every day. And every day study something about physiology, because that will help everybody understand the ‘why’ of the things we do.” According to Dr. Vigil, this curiosity-driven approach is what encourages advancement in both research and clinical settings. She advises future generations of healthcare professionals to study continuously, as a deeper understanding of physiology will ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Vigil emphasizes the critical role of physiology and the basic sciences in clinical practice, and encourages students to study and “understand the ‘why’ of the things we do.”
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Dr. Vigil envisions a world where young women are no longer subjected to excessive hormonal treatments during adolescence, which she believes have detrimental effects on brain development and mental health. She advocates for alternatives that facilitate a more holistic and refreshing approach to reproductive health. Her dream is clear: “I would love to see that every woman has an alternative, every couple has an alternative.” Training physicians and educating medical institutions about these alternatives is at the forefront of her mission. Dr. Vigil hopes future generations will benefit from this understanding as women and couples are empowered to make informed, healthy choices about their reproductive goals.
“Dr. Vigil envisions a world where young women are no longer subjected to excessive hormonal treatments during adolescence… Her dream is clear: ‘I would love to see that every woman has an alternative, every couple has an alternative.’”
Dr. Pilar Vigil is a physician and researcher who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. She earned a PhD in Biological Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and completed postdoctoral studies at the Texas Institute for Reproductive Medicine & Endocrinology in the United States and at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Vigil has authored over 220 scientific publications in indexed journals and books on her specialty. She is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FACOG), past president of Teen STAR International, and medical director of the Reproductive Health Research Institute (RHRI).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Molly Franzonello
Molly Franzonello is the FACTS Communications & Social Media Coordinator. Molly brings extensive experience in health care management, program design, and health policy, holding a MS in Nursing and a Master of Health Administration. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Midwifery at Columbia University’s School of Nursing. She previously served as a Health Equity Specialist at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, working on ways to reduce maternal mortality through a special project. Molly contributed to the Defense Health Agency in several roles, improving access to primary care clinics. She will create engaging content and co-manage our online presence to promote fertility awareness and looks forward to continuing to advance healthcare through education!
