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FERTILITY
Alabama’s IVF Bill Is Just a ‘Bandaid’
What: Legal experts tell Axios that Alabama’s IVF bill, which simply says IVF providers can’t be charged or sued, are just a band-aid and “courts could ultimately consider new legislation…contradictory to the state constitution’s provision on the sanctity of unborn life.”
Why it matters: This problem isn’t over for the families desperately trying to have babies in Alabama, and likely other states that have fetal personhood laws.
Source: Axios
MENSTRUATION
Covid Vaccine Before Ovulation Can Extend Cycle One Day
What: An NIH study of nearly 20,000 women found those who got the COVID vaccine during the first half of their menstrual cycle (the follicular phase, before ovulation) were more likely to experience a longer cycle than normal, compared to those who got the vaccine during the luteal phase (i.e. post ovulation).
Why it matters: The typical change in cycle length for those vaccinated in the follicular phase was a one-day increase, those in the luteal phase had a zero-day change. Having more information backed by science can help with any vaccine hesitancy, researchers said, not to mention calm any anxiety about a period being late!
Source: NIH
BIRTH CONTROL
After Nine Year Journey, American Women Can Get Birth Control Pill Without Prescription
What: The country’s first over-the-counter birth control pill has hit shelves, after a nine-year effort to get it there. Opill will be available for a price of just under $20 a month and can be purchased online at Opill.com as well as from retailers.
Why it matters: This makes it significantly easier for women to get birth control – no need for a doctor’s appointment (which costs time and money).
Source: NPR
ABORTION ACCESS
Major Pharmacies Will Stock Abortion Pill (Where It’s Legal)
What: Walgreens and CVS announced they will start dispensing the abortion pill, mifepristone, this month, after getting the special FDA certification announced last year. The pharmacies said they’d offer the pill where abortion is legal, eventually in about half of the states.
Why it matters: This should increase access and availability of the abortion pill, which as of now often needs to be stocked in a provider’s office or specialty pharmacy.
Source: New York Times
France Passes Law to Guarantee Abortion Access
What: France’s legislators approved a bill guaranteeing access to abortion in the country, on a vote of 780-72. The vote was in part a response to the loss of abortion access in the United States, after Roe vs. Wade fell.
Why it matters: As one French law professor put it: “It may not be an issue in France, where a majority of people support abortion…But those same people may one day vote for a far-right government, and what happened in the U.S. can happen elsewhere in Europe, including in France.”
Source: AP
MENOPAUSE
Dental Insurance Company CEO’s Experience With Menopause Led to Research
What: The CEO of Delta Dental, a dental insurance company, wrote a column about her own experience with menopause, and how being dismissed by her primary care physician led her to conduct research on oral health during menopause. The company surveyed women 50 and up and found 84% were unaware that hormonal changes during menopause could cause symptoms like dry mouth and more.
Why it matters: The more women in leadership talk about menopause, the faster we might get better acknowledgement of symptoms, research, and treatments.
Source: Fast Company
ONCOLOGY
Breast Cancer Becomes Less Deadly Since 1975
What: Breast cancer has become significantly less deadly from 1975 to 2019, with a JAMA study finding the mortality rate dropped 58% thanks to increased screenings and treatment. Better screenings accounted for 25% of the drop, 47% was from treating earlier stage breast cancers, and 29% came from treating metastatic breast cancers.
Why it matters: Screening improvements could save even more lives – especially among populations that didn’t see as much improvement, like rural, Black, and uninsured patients.
Source: Washington Post
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