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the top things to know in women’s health and wellness today: 

  • A large analysis found women with endometriosis or fibroids were more likely to die younger than those without, largely due to gynecological cancers. 
     
  • The New York Times looks at the aches and pains potentially caused by menopause — or is it just getting older?
     
  • High-end skincare retailer Drunk Elephant recalled three products after an ingredient mix-up.

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Everything
Menstruation
Abortion Access
Menopause
Wellness + Beauty

EVERYTHING

History of Endometriosis and Fibroids Linked to Heightened Risk of Early Death

What: A BMJ study found among 110,000+ women that those with endometriosis or uterine fibroids had a higher risk of premature death compared to women without these conditions. The increased risk was particularly linked to gynecological cancers, suggesting that these conditions may require more intensive long-term health monitoring. The findings highlight the need for awareness and proactive care for women with these diagnoses. 

Key line: “After taking account of age and other confounding factors such as weight (BMI), diet quality, physical activity, and smoking status, endometriosis was associated with a 31% higher risk of premature death, largely driven by deaths due to gynaecological cancers. Uterine fibroids were unrelated to all-cause premature death, but were associated with a greater risk of death due to gynaecological cancers.”

Source: British Medical Journal
 
MENSTRUATION

Democrats Push for Medicaid to Cover Menstrual Products

What: Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) wrote a letter to Medicaid officials, asking them to cover menstrual products. Tampons and pads can be a luxury item for the lowest income Americans, especially for those who have particularly heavy periods.

Key line: “Their letter deemed menstrual products an ‘essential’ rather than personal care or hygiene products and encouraged the National Association of Medicaid Directors to classify them the same way.”

Source: The Hill

ABORTION ACCESS

Is Perfect Is the Enemy of the Good in Reproductive Health Battles After Election Losses?

What: Vox reports that reproductive rights groups are not ready to embrace compromises on abortion, IVF, and birth control access, arguing that they could harm access to reproductive care.

Key line: “Vox asked six major advocacy groups if they would consider pushing for new federal protections under a Republican-led Congress, be it for IVF, birth control or abortion. Most avoided giving a direct answer, instead directing the conversation to Republican accountability and the harm caused by abortion bans. The stance reflects a deeper calculation: that accepting anything less than people deserve — meaning access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care for any reason — would legitimize restrictions and undermine the broader fight for bodily autonomy. When asked about pursuing partial protections versus holding out for more Democrats, groups choose waiting.”

Source: Vox

MENOPAUSE

Menopause and Muscle Pain

What: The New York Times looks at how hormonal changes during menopause, particularly the decline in estrogen levels, can lead to muscle pain and body aches. Estrogen helps reduce inflammation and maintain joint and muscle health; its decrease can result in increased discomfort. 

Key line: “In a paper published in July, Dr. Wright gave this phenomenon a name: the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause. The syndrome refers to a constellation of conditions and symptoms that become more prevalent during perimenopause and beyond, including joint pain, frozen shoulder, a loss of muscle mass and bone density, and worsening osteoarthritis, among other things.”

Source: New York Times

WELLNESS + BEAUTY

Drunk Elephant Recalls Skin Care Products

What: Skincare brand Drunk Elephant has recalled some products due to contamination concerns, after ingredients were mixed up in several items. And those ingredients could cause irritation to people specifically sensitive to them–but they aren’t currently listed on the labels.

Key line: “Recalled products include the brand’s Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, Protini Polypeptide Cream, and Lala Retro Whipped Cream, including sample packets of the Lala cream found inside the carton of O-Bloos Rosi Drops. …According to Drunk Elephant, there was an ingredient mix-up for the three recalled products.”

Source: USA Today