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FERTILITY
Millennial Jokes Graduate From Avocado Toast to Egg Freezing
What: Variety covers a new movie about a 34-year-old woman who has put major life decisions off, until she discovers her enemy is “the female reproductive system itself, which knows how to kill a party vibe by standing at the edge of the dance floor disapprovingly tapping its watch.” Cue adulting, millennial jokes!
Why it matters: The movie catalogues the challenges (and triumphs) of the fertility process – something all too often treated as if it is routine, and not a major medical commitment/process
Source: Variety
PREGNANCY
Heart Rate Changes Could Flag Preterm Labor
What: A study looking at women who wore heart monitors during their pregnancies found that a heartbeat measure steadily declined until they were 33 weeks pregnant, and then increased until birth. Researchers then looked at a larger group and found that among those women who went into preterm labor, the heartrate pattern was “far less consistent” but tended to still switch 7 weeks before labor.
Why it matters: This points to tracking heartbeat as a potential noninvasive way to screen for preterm labor.
Source: New Scientist
ABORTION ACCESS
Anti-Abortion Movement Focusing on Fake Pregnancy Centers
What: Ms. Magazine covers the shift in focus among anti-abortion activists, especially between last year’s “March for Life” rally and this year’s. Last year groups were laser-focused on getting abortion banned nationwide. This year they are trying to soften the message, talking about “crisis pregnancy centers” that aren’t upfront with women about the fact that they do not provide comprehensive health care.
Why it matters: The change in tone and message is likely inspired by losing elections, but that doesn’t mean the goal of banning abortion nationwide has changed.
Source: Ms. Magazine
CARDIOVASCULAR
The OBGYN and Your Heart
What: The American Heart Association recommends that OBGYNs and their patients actually talk about cardiovascular health. And in particular, how pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause can have an effect on the heart. For example, discussing how lower estrogen during menopause can impact the heart, or how having pregnancy complications can be a risk factor for cardiovascular issues later on.
Why it matters: Heart disease is the number one cause of death in American women.
Source: American Heart Association
PCOS
PCOS Tied to Several Mental Health, Cognition Issues
What: A study of women over 30 years found that those with PCOS scored lower on cognitive tests when they hit middle age. They also had higher depressive symptoms and higher rates of diabetes.
Why it matters: The results are not necessarily causal, but researchers say they can have important implications on public health given that up to 10% of women have PCOS. One change? Paying greater attention to mental health for women with PCOS,
Source: Medpage Today
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