In two separate rulings on Monday, the Florida Supreme Court backed that state’s abortion ban while also allowing a proposed constitutional amendment that could undo that ban to be placed on the November ballot. In a 6-1 vote, the court upheld the constitutionality of the state’s 15-week abortion ban, which has been in effect since… read on > read on >
Menopause may cause a big shift in plaque buildup in women’s arteries, quickly bringing their heart risk to levels that equal men’s, a new study finds. “After menopause, women have much less estrogen and shift to a more testosterone-heavy profile,” explained study lead author Dr. Ella Ishaaya. “This affects the way your body stores fat,… read on > read on >
Expecting or new mothers are much more likely these days to be diagnosed with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, new research shows. However, more women are also getting treated for these problems rather than roughing it out, researchers report in April 1 issue of the journal Health Affairs. “Taken together, these studies show a… read on > read on >
In a letter sent to teaching hospitals and medical schools across the country, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Monday that written consent must be obtained from patients before performing sensitive procedures such as pelvis and prostate exams. The agency noted that it “is aware of media reports, as well as medical… read on > read on >
Folks are turning to Twitter for advice on contraception, but it doesn’t look like they’re getting answers from informed authorities, a new study finds. Only about 6% of tweets on reversible birth control methods come from official news or health care sources, according to a review of thousands of posts. On the other hand, more… read on > read on >
U.S. rates of suicide by all methods rose steadily for adolescents between 1999 and 2020, a new analysis shows. During those two decades, over 47,000 Americans between the ages 10 and 19 lost their lives to suicide, the report found, and there have been sharp increases year by year. Girls and minority adolescents have charted… read on > read on >
The contraceptive injection Depo-Provera and two drugs used for menopause relief could be linked to a heightened risk for brain tumors in some women, a new study warns. Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) increased the risk of intracranial meningioma 5.6-fold if used for longer than a year, researchers report in the BMJ. “In countries for which the… read on > read on >
Following oral arguments presented on Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court looked poised to rebuff a legal challenge to women’s access to the abortion pill. Mifepristone is part of a two-drug regimen now used for the majority of abortions nationwide. In the case now before the Supreme Court, the plaintiffs claim the U.S. Food and Drug Administration did… read on > read on >
Chemicals found in common household products might damage the brain’s wiring, a new study warns. These chemicals — found in disinfectants, cleaners, hair products, furniture and textiles — could be linked to degenerative brain diseases like multiple sclerosis and autism, researchers report. The chemicals specifically affect the brain’s oligodendrocytes, a specialized type of cell that… read on > read on >
As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments Tuesday in a case that could determine nationwide access to the abortion pill, a new study finds requests for the medication made outside the traditional health care system surged after Roe v. Wade was overturned. There were about 26,000 more self-managed medication abortions than expected, based… read on > read on >
