Researchers have identified a gene that can trigger obesity, behavior problems and postpartum depression when missing or damaged. The finding could lead to new treatments for postpartum depression and overeating: The study in mice suggests the so-called “love hormone” — oxytocin — may ease symptoms. Obesity and postpartum depression are major health problems worldwide. The… read on > read on >
Exposure to air pollution can significantly reduce the odds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) leading to a live birth, a new study says. The odds of a live birth are nearly 40% lower in women heavily exposed to particle pollution in the two weeks before her eggs were collected for IVF, compared to those with… read on > read on >
Wartime appears to increase the risk of chronic pain for military women, a new study suggests. Active-duty servicewomen who served between 2006 and 2013 – a period of heightened combat deployments – had a significantly increased risk of chronic pain compared to women serving at other times, according to results published July 5 in the… read on > read on >
After a mastectomy, some women are less likely than others to have breast reconstruction surgery. Rates of the surgery are consistently lower among American Indian and Alaskan native women than among non-Hispanic white women, according to a new study that pointed to age, stage of cancer and insurance as contributors. “Despite an upward trend in… read on > read on >
Urinary incontinence is a common aftereffect of delivering a baby, but it can have a devastating effect on new moms, a new study warns. These bladder leaks are significantly associated with anxiety and depression in new mothers, researchers discovered. “If you have bad enough incontinence, you might feel isolated and embarrassed and have difficulty connecting… read on > read on >
Pregnant women enrolled in a federal aid program have better outcomes than those who are struggling to put food on the table, new research shows. More than 1 in 10 households nationwide lack access to adequate and nutritious food, U.S. government data show. The U.S. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)… read on > read on >
If you and your partner fall silent when vexing money issues arise, new research suggests you are not alone. A team from Cornell University found that the more stressed people were about their finances, the less likely they were to discuss those concerns with their romantic partners. The findings were published recently in the Journal… read on > read on >
Millions of Americans struggle to fall or stay asleep, a new survey finds. Some struggle more mightily than others: Roughly 12% of Americans polled said they have been diagnosed with chronic insomnia, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) survey revealed. Who was the most likely to miss out on good sleep? Men (13%) were… read on > read on >
Going to the gym is good for your overall health, but if you and the gym aren’t practicing good hygiene you could still catch a nasty illness, an expert says. “Good hygiene prevents sicknesses like a cold, influenza and even salmonella, but cleanliness can also indicate that a gym is well-maintained overall, including the quality… read on > read on >
It may sound far-fetched, but new research suggests that living in dangerous neighborhoods could trigger an unintended health harm: higher smoking rates among residents. “High levels of neighborhood threat shape perceptions of powerlessness among residents, amplifying a general sense of mistrust, that can promote maladaptive coping behavior like smoking,” said researcher Michael Zvolensky, a professor… read on > read on >
