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MENSTRUATION
More on the Moons’ Menstruation
What: A fun essay from writer Emma Alpern on the never-ending allure of menstruation being tied to the cycles of the moon. Alpern digs into the science, too, and finds a little (but not conclusive) evidence that there could be a tie between our bodies and our moon.
Why it matters: As Alpern put it: “Even for those allergic to the tiniest hint of woo, there’s something picturesque about the possibility of a secret relationship to the moon. After all, it seems like something is wrong with the way we live.”
Source: The Cut
ABORTION ACCESS
What’s at Stake at SCOTUS? Women’s Lives (Again)
What: The Washington Post has more horror stories of women getting turned away from the ER because they are pregnant, and extreme state abortion bans have scared providers. In this case, WaPo writes about a Florida hospital that stands to lose federal Medicare status (i.e. tons of money) if they don’t fix things.
Why it matters: That could change after Wednesday’s Supreme Court hearing, though, which will turn on the federal law requiring hospitals treat patients until they are stabilized. Extreme abortion ban states don’t want that to apply to abortions, even if women are at risk of dying. And as the Washington Post reports: “The case has rattled health experts, particularly after the White House twice lost in federal appeals court, and some Biden officials say they are bracing for defeat at the high court.”
Source: Washington Post
Group Wants State AGs to Investigate Crisis Pregnancy Centers
What: A progressive group, Campaign for Accountability, sent letters to state attorneys general in Idaho, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, asking them to investigate if crisis pregnancy centers are “gathering and retaining sensitive medical information and what they do with it — and potentially charge the centers with violating state consumer protection laws.”
Why it matters: The crisis pregnancy centers are typically free, which means the usual health data privacy laws don’t apply to them.
Source: NBC News
ENDOMETRIOSIS
Preliminary Results Are Good for Non-Surgical Endometriosis Test
What: Hera Biotech company said they got good interim results from clinical trials of their endometriosis diagnostic tool. In the first 38 patients tested, the diagnostic test, which looks at swabbed endometrial cells, has an accuracy rate of 94%.
Why it matters: More data is needed, but Hera CEO said the result “suggests that Hera’s molecular diagnostic test has the potential to replace surgical diagnosis and greatly improve the woefully inadequate state of endometriosis diagnosis and treatment that exists today.”
Source: Hera Biotech via BusinessWire
WELLNESS + BEAUTY
CDC Warns Docs About That Bad Botox
What: The CDC formally warned doctors Tuesday about counterfeit Botox that has sickened 22 people across 11 states. Negative symptoms were first reported in November, and most recently in March.
Why it matters: Now bad Botox reactions will officially be on physicians’ radar screens, especially if patients present with “localized paralysis.”
Source: Reuters
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