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Giving birth at an older age is linked to a longer life in women

14 July 2023

Every additional year before a woman gives birth to her last child is associated with an extra 22 days of life


First over-the-counter birth control pill approved in the US

13 July 2023

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the oral contraceptive Opill for use without a prescription. It is the first hormonal contraceptive available over the counter in the US


A scanning electron micrograph of blood from someone with iron deficiency anaemia, showing irregularly-shaped, small red blood cells

Almost 40 per cent of US girls and young women have low iron levels

27 June 2023

Rising rates of vegetarianism and veganism may be causing iron deficiency, a condition that also commonly occurs due to heavy periods


Endometriosis may be caused by bacterial infections

14 June 2023

Bacteria that contribute to gum disease may be a cause of the gynaecological condition endometriosis, which means it could be treated with antibiotics


Bacteria Klebsiella, 3D illustration. Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria which are often nosocomial antibiotic resistant

Gut bacteria that break down oestrogen linked to depression in women

17 March 2023

A form of oestrogen known to be related to positive mood was found to be 43 per cent lower in premenopausal women with depression than those without the condition


Human endometrium tissue, which lines the uterus, from a person without endometriosis

Endometriosis could be controlled with monthly antibody injections

22 February 2023

Injections that block an inflammatory protein halved the size of endometriosis lesions in macaques. The treatment is now being tested in people


Polycystic ovary syndrome

A better understanding of PCOS offers fresh hope for new treatments

26 January 2023

New insights into polycystic ovary syndrome are revealing more about the causes of this common but misunderstood whole-body condition, and these could lead to new treatments


An unrecognisable mature pregnant woman lies on a hospital delivery bed as she has fetal monitoring. Cardiotocography is usually called a 'CTG' by medical staff. It can be used to monitor a baby's heart rate and a mother's contractions during pregnancy

Vaginal swabs could be used to predict likelihood of preterm births

12 January 2023

We often don't know the causes of preterm birth – but analysing metabolic substances in the vaginal microbiome may be a way to predict the risk of premature labour


Human sperm

Sperm-blocking vaginal gel could be a reliable contraceptive method

30 November 2022

A gel that has prevented almost all of 1 billion sperm getting past the cervix in sheep could become an alternative to hormonal birth control methods but without the side effects


E. coli bacteria

Vaccine to prevent UTIs could be taken as a dissolving tablet

23 November 2022

Recurrent UTIs could one day be prevented with a vaccine instead of antibiotics if promising results in mice and rabbits are replicated in clinical trials


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