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FERTILITY
How Antiabortion Groups Shape US IVF Policies
What: The fertility industry, especially IVF procedures, are sometimes criticized as being a “wild west” in the United States that lacks regulation. The problem? Sometimes those critics are anti-abortion advocates who feign concern over “safety” but have a main goal of just shutting down access.
Why it matters: There are some regulations that could make sense, but reproductive procedures are so political in the US that federal action is nearly impossible right now.
Source: Vox
ABORTION ACCESS
Even Some Conservative Justices Skeptical of Abortion Pill Case
What: Based on the questions asked by Supreme Court justices, there was widespread agreement that it seemed unlikely that the court would mess with the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, the abortion pill. Even conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett pointed out that an affidavit filed by one of the doctors claiming to be “harmed” by the pill’s approval referred to a D&C procedure done after miscarriage, which “does not necessarily mean that there was a living embryo or a fetus.”
Why it matters: More than half of abortions in the United States are done via the abortion pill.
Source: NPR
Having Women Justices and Lawyers Leads to Actually Informed Discussions Over Abortion Basics
What: The Washington Post points out that the Supreme Court got into the nitty-gritty of the medical questions during Tuesday’s arguments over the abortion pill. That was in large part thanks to the four women who serve as justices, and the female lawyers making arguments. Topics covered included the specifics of pregnancy dating, whether a procedure is an abortion if there is no fetal “live tissue”, and how tissue after a medical abortion doesn’t necessarily require surgery.
Why it matters: “The result appeared to be strikingly candid, specific and non-euphemistic exchanges about women’s health, highlighting the high court’s changing gender ratio.”
Source: Washington Post
MENOPAUSE
Halle Berry, Herpes, and Menopause
What: In a conversation with First Lady Jill Biden on Monday, Halle Berry shared how her doctor misdiagnosed perimenopause as herpes. And not just any case, but “the worst case of herpes” he’d ever seen. What prompted this diagnosis? Berry felt extreme pain during sex, saying it felt like she had “razor blades in my vagina.” She and her partner got tested and were negative. Instead, it was vaginal dryness brought on by perimenopause.
Why it matters: As Berry said: “My doctor had no knowledge and didn’t prepare me. That’s when I knew, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve got to use my platform. I have to use all of who I am, and I have to start making a change and a difference for other women.”
Source: People
ENDOMETRIOSIS
One Trial Looking for More Ways to Diagnose Endometriosis
What: NBC profiles three women who spent years trying to get diagnosed with endometriosis, struggling with chronic, debilitating pain. All three women are now participating in a clinical trial run by Dr. Christine Metz, who believes “major alterations” can be detected in menstrual blood of women with endometriosis versus women without it. Women collect the menstrual blood at home and send it into the lab.
Why it matters: Endometriosis is potentially widespread, effecting 1 in 10 women. But women have to wait an average of eight years for a diagnosis, which only comes via surgery—for now.
Source: NBC News
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