Tag

Reproductive Health

All articles tagged with #reproductive health

health4 days ago•4 min saved

Cryptic pregnancies: When women deliver without realizing they were pregnant

Cryptic pregnancies, where individuals remain unaware of their condition until late stages or delivery, are rare but real. While some cases involve women with irregular cycles or those who mistake symptoms for other conditions, others experience minimal physical changes. Medical experts emphasize that while at-home tests are accurate, false negatives can occur early on. Lack of prenatal care poses risks for both mother and infant, though many women ultimately embrace the unexpected child after initial shock.

via USA Today|

#cryptic-pregnancy #health #obgyn

health-and-wellness12 days ago•1 min saved

Chicago mother celebrates son's first birthday after 20 miscarriages and two infant losses

Ranim Haddad, 36, is celebrating her son Emmanuel's first birthday on October 1, 2025, after enduring 20 miscarriages, one stillbirth, and one infant death over 11 years. Despite exhaustive medical evaluations at Northwestern Memorial Hospital failing to identify a cause for her losses, Haddad persisted in trying to conceive. Her obstetrician, Dr. Susan Gerber, attributed her eventual success to her resilience rather than a specific medical intervention, noting that a cervical stitch used in her final pregnancy likely did not prevent the earlier first-trimester losses. Haddad, who lives in the Chicago suburbs, is now sharing her story to encourage other women facing repeated pregnancy loss to continue their efforts, despite the emotional and physical toll.

via USA Today|

#family-planning #health-and-wellness #maternal-health

science-and-technology14 days ago•8 min saved

Origin Genomics Pushes Gene-Edited Embryo Research Amid Legal and Ethical Backlash

Cathy Tie, CEO of New York-based Origin Genomics, is testing AI-assisted gene editors on human embryos to prevent inherited diseases like familial adenomatous polyposis. While the company aims to prove safety to eventually lift U.S. legal bans on embryo editing, critics warn of 'designer babies' and unregulated overseas clinics. Tie argues that pursuing this technology is ethical given the suffering of affected families, despite current prohibitions and safety concerns.

via NPR|

#bioethics #biotechnology #gene-editing

science18 days ago•6 min saved

Hidden Evolutionary War in Testicles Boosts Disease-Causing Sperm Mutations

A new study reveals that mutations in sperm-producing stem cells compete for dominance inside the testes, often at the expense of healthy cells. This 'survival of the fittest' process favors mutations linked to developmental disorders and cancer, significantly increasing the likelihood that older men pass these genetic risks to their offspring.

via ScienceAlert|

#evolutionary-biology #genetics #human-health

science-and-health18 days ago•3 min saved

Revisiting the Rete Ovarii: New Research Challenges Its Status as Vestigial

Researchers have challenged the long-held belief that the rete ovarii, a small structure connected to the ovary, is a useless vestigial remnant. New studies suggest it actively communicates with the ovary, responds to hormones, and releases proteins that may regulate ovarian function. While the findings are promising, they are based on mouse models, and it remains unclear if the structure is essential for human fertility. The discovery has sparked broader discussions about historical gaps in female anatomical research.

via AOL.com|

#anatomy #female-biology #medical-research

science-and-health19 days ago•2 min saved

Rediscovery of the Rete Ovarii Challenges Century-Old Medical Assumptions

A 2024 study by researchers at the University of Michigan has revived interest in the rete ovarii, a small horseshoe-shaped structure in the female reproductive system that was removed from medical textbooks over a century ago because it was deemed functionless. The research, published in eLife, demonstrates that this 'mysterious orphan structure' is not vestigial but actively secretes fluids and interacts with the nervous, circulatory, and immune systems. Findings indicate the rete ovarii contains receptors for estrogen and progesterone and releases proteins involved in egg maturation and follicle maintenance. This rediscovery has sparked social media backlash against historical medical neglect of female anatomy, with critics noting that the male equivalent, the rete testis, remains in standard textbooks.

via New York Post|

#anatomy #gender-studies #medical-history

health1 month ago•208 min saved

Prenatal acetaminophen exposure linked to smaller ovaries in girls, study suggests

A Danish study found that prenatal acetaminophen exposure is associated with smaller ovarian and uterine volumes and fewer egg-containing follicles in newborn girls, plus lower ovarian-reserve hormone levels. Experts caution the findings show correlation, not causation, and long-term fertility effects are unknown. The study does not suggest changing current pregnancy-treatment guidelines, and medical groups say acetaminophen remains one of the safer options when needed, though limits and alternatives should be discussed with a clinician as more research is needed.

via CNN|

#acetaminophen #denmark #health

entertainment1 month ago•16 min saved

Olivia Rodrigo's Daisy Chain Fields to Give $10M to 10 Reproductive-Health Nonprofits

Olivia Rodrigo announced that her first Daisy Chain Fields festival will donate $10 million to 10 nonprofits supporting reproductive health and maternal care, with net proceeds funding groups like Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the Center for Reproductive Rights, FreeFrom, Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Institute for Reproductive Health, National Women’s Law Center, and Planned Parenthood. The Irvine festival—featuring acts such as Chappell Roan, Doechii, Bikini Kill, and Stevie Nicks—celebrates women in music, and iHeartRadio will air a 30-minute live-performance special the day after. Daisy Chain Fields runs 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m. PT at Great Park, Irvine, with proceeds supporting reproductive-health initiatives.

via USA Today|

#charity-philanthropy #daisy-chain-fields #entertainment

health1 month ago•6 min saved

From womb to heart: reproductive history signals women's cardiovascular risk

A new review links women's reproductive health history to later heart disease risk, highlighting pregnancy complications (preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, premature birth, gestational diabetes), PCOS/PMOS, endometriosis, migraine with aura, and menopause timing as potential risk markers; three French programs show gynecological clinics can help identify undiagnosed cardiovascular risk, suggesting perimenopause and menopause as key windows for heart health screening—though these are risk factors, not guarantees.

via ScienceAlert|

#cardiovascular-disease #health #menopause

politics2 months ago•6 min saved

AOC's Egg Freezing Sparks Debate Over Women, Career, and Choice

NY Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez documented her decision to freeze her eggs at 36 on Instagram, saying it’s about control and normalizing options for working women, and she’ll pay about $8,000 out of pocket with roughly $1,200 yearly for storage. Conservative critics argue it undermines traditional motherhood, but doctors say egg freezing can be viable at 36 and many freezes go unused yet still offer peace of mind. A UCLA Health study notes only about 6% of frozen eggs are used for IVF within seven years, while the broader trend shows later childbearing and rising costs; average total costs for egg freezing run around $16,000, with insurance rarely covering it.

via The Guardian|

#aoc #conservatives #egg-freezing

politics2 months ago•109 min saved

Egg-Freezing Sparks GOP Rift Over AOC

After Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reveals she’s freezing her eggs while undergoing fertility treatment, MAGA allies attack her personal decision, triggering intra‑party backlash. A White House official cautions against attacking a woman starting a family, signaling that the messaging may hurt Republicans ahead of the midterms, while some conservatives and allies praise her openness about reproductive care.

via The Daily Beast|

#alexandria-ocasio-cortez #maga #midterms

health2 months ago•204 min saved

Africa’s Hidden Reproductive Health Crisis: Fibroids and Cysts Amid Care Barriers

CNN reports that ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids affect hundreds of millions worldwide, with Africa showing high prevalence and many women remaining undiagnosed due to cost, stigma, and limited ultrasound access. The piece follows Evelyn Okinyi Owala’s journey from painful periods to a lifestyle-driven improvement and surgery, Lupita Nyong’o’s fibroid experience, and Sierra Leonean doctors noting cultural barriers and the need for better education. While lifestyle changes can help address root factors, medical care remains essential, underscoring the urgency for improved diagnosis, treatment access, and research in Africa.

via CNN|

#access-to-care #africa #fibroids

politics2 months ago•2 min saved

AOC chronicles egg-freezing journey to empower working women

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced she is freezing her eggs and will share the process online, calling it a way to take control of her life while balancing her duties as a congresswoman; she documented injections in a dressing room, emphasized the need for more information for women, and highlighted broader conversations about reproductive care and women’s health.

via The Guardian|

#aoc #egg-freezing #fertility-treatment

health3 months ago•9 min saved

Global drop in men's testosterone over 50 years sparks health concerns

A meta-analysis of six longitudinal studies across five countries shows average total testosterone in men fell about 54% from 1972 to 2019, a decline over 1% per year. While natural variation exists, the population-wide drop could signal broader health issues linked to obesity, diabetes, and environmental factors affecting male health, warranting further investigation.

via ZME Science|

#diabetes #health #mens-health

health3 months ago•23 min saved

Men's Testosterone Drops by About 54% Over 50 Years, Meta-Analysis Finds

A meta-analysis of 118,593 men from Israel, the U.S., Brazil, Finland, and Denmark found average testosterone levels declined by about 54% between 1972 and 2019, a finding presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology meeting in London.

via Ground News|

#epidemiology #health #mens-health