Hear are the top things to know in women’s health and wellness so far this week:

• For the fourth year in a row the US got a D+ grade from the March of Dimes on pregnancy health. Preterm birth rates aren’t going down, and the report noted even more backsliding in more maternal health measures.
  

• A McKinsey report found that if women simply got the preventative screenings that are recommended, hospitals and providers could generate $38 billion in revenue. And that doesn’t account for how much those screenings could save in early treatment.
  

• A period blood facial? It’s happening on some corners of the internet...but you can probably guess where the evidence is at.

JUMP TO…

• Everything

• Menstruation

• Pregnancy and Postpartum

EVERYTHING

US Providers Could Gain $38 Billion by Just Getting Women to Do Recommended Screenings

What: A McKinsey analysis finds the US health industry misses out on $50 billion a year in revenue by failing to provide women consistent preventive care and by losing women clinicians to high turnover. They estimate that women getting guideline-based screenings could generate nearly $38 billion, while improving nurse retention could save roughly $12 billion annually. The report argues that investing in preventive care, clinician retention, and inclusive policies benefits both women’s health and system finances.

Key Line: “This estimate does not account for 1) the additional, much larger revenue potential for health systems that perform treatments in response to positive results identified by screenings, or 2) how additional healthy life years for millions of women could benefit the economy, or 3) the savings potential across the healthcare ecosystem from addressing health concerns earlier in the course of the disease.”

My Take: This is low-hanging fruit that could make a massive difference.

Source: McKinsey & Company

CDC Removes Assurance That Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism

What: Under the leadership of HHS Sec. Kennedy, the CDC quietly removed a statement on their website that explicitly said vaccines do not cause autism, reversing long-standing scientific consensus and prompting alarm from public health experts. The move drew immediate backlash from scientists and criticism from Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who essentially guaranteed Kennedy’s confirmation after getting a “pledge” that the secretary would not say vaccines cause autism.

Key Line: “The updated CDC webpage now includes an asterisk after the header ‘Vaccines do not cause Autism,’ explaining that the header was not removed as part of an agreement with Cassidy.”

My Take: This is a typical (childish) Trump administration move: adhere to a promise literally but violate the spirit of it and see how far they can push things.

Source: Washington Post

MENSTRUATION

People Are Putting Menstrual Blood on Their Faces for “Skincare”

What: This is NY Post clickbait, but it I must admit it caught my eye! The paper reports that some skincare fans are collecting their period blood to use as a face treatment, claiming it has rejuvenating effects. (They include pictures). Experts quoted in the piece warn there’s no proof this works.

Key Line: “However, experts do not agree with the comparison of sterile PRP [aka the vampire facial] to menstrual blood, as the latter can contain different bacteria and fungi. It can also include Staphylococcus aureus — a common microbe that lives on the skin’s surface but can spur infections if it gets caught in cuts or pores — and even sexually transmitted infections, or STIs.”

My Take: I genuinely do not know where the skincare trends will go next.

Source: New York Post

India’s Menstrual Leave Debate: Progress or Pitfall?

What: The Week has an op-ed on debate in India over menstrual leave. They write that while menstrual leave can improve wellbeing and inclusion, mandatory rules might backfire by reinforcing bias or privacy concerns. The author argues that flexible, stigma-free options—like wellness leave or remote work—could be the most practical path forward.

Key Line: “The idea of menstrual leave is not new. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan have had provisions for paid menstrual leave since the mid-20th century, with some policies dating back to the World War II era. These early adopters recognised that menstrual pain, fatigue and discomfort can significantly affect productivity for many women. In India too, the conversation has expanded beyond the medical aspect to include dignity, comfort and equality at the workplace.”

My Take: Meanwhile, in America, we can’t get paid leave guaranteed after giving birth.

Source: The Week

PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM

US Stalled on Pregnancy Health, March of Dimes Warns

What: For the fourth year in a row, the March of Dimes gave the US a D+ for pregnancy health, citing a steady 10% preterm birth rate and worsening racial and economic disparities. Black moms still face a nearly 50% higher risk of early birth than the national average, and fewer women are starting prenatal care in the first trimester. Chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes are rising among pregnant women, with maternal and infant deaths remaining unacceptably high.

Key Line: “‘This year’s report card shows that while we remain stalled in our progress on preterm birth, we are also losing ground in other critical areas of maternal and infant health…Our country is stuck in a maternal and infant health crisis where too many families are being forgotten,’ Rahman said.”

My Take: Unfortunately, this will only get worse as Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” massive cuts to Medicaid and Obamacare insurance subsidies start hitting in the coming weeks and months.

Source: U.S. News & World Report

Hear are the top things to know in women’s health and wellness so far this week:

• A viral video from over the weekend captures just a sliver of why Black women may have a maternal mortality rate that is three to four times higher than white women in America.
  

• A South Carolina state senate committee (made up of all men) did not approve a bill that included such extreme punishments for women that even some antiabortion groups opposed it.
  

• The New York Times profiles Cindy Eckert and the more than ten-year saga of the “pink pill” comeback.

JUMP TO…

• Pregnancy and Postpartum

• Abortion Access

• Menopause

PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM

Texas Mom Captures Barbaric Care During Daughter’s Labor

What: The women’s health community is familiar with the statistic that Black women in America are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. But statistics can only go so far — a viral video this week captured just a slice of how this happens in real life. A Texas mother filmed her daughter, Karrie Jones, in active labor and screaming in pain while sitting in a wheelchair as a triage nurse at Dallas Regional Medical Center asks her mundane questions. The family says the baby was born only 12 minutes later. The hospital says it is reviewing the incident, and the videos have drawn wide outrage.

Key Line: “Her mother asked, ‘Are y’all for real right now? Does she have to give birth in a chair?’ The nurse responded that she ‘can’t take her upstairs,’ leading Jones’ mom to question why staff would ‘take a chance of infections and her having a baby in this chair.’”

My Take: This video is enraging — the idea of any women being essentially denied care while she is in an ER and TWELVE MINUTES FROM DELIVERY is barbaric. The question, of course, is how do we eradicate this racist culture?

Source: PEOPLE, TikTok Video

ABORTION ACCESS

South Carolina Bill Would Jail Women for Abortions, Ban Some Birth Control? Doesn’t Advance

What: A South Carolina Senate subcommittee made up of all men considered a bill that would not only make abortion entirely illegal, but would permit prison terms of up to 30 years for women and anyone who helps them. The proposal could also ban intrauterine devices (IUDs) and limit in vitro fertilization by outlawing contraception that stops a fertilized egg from implanting. The bill is actually getting opposition from some anti-abortion groups for being too punitive.

Key Line: ”Four of the six Republicans on the subcommittee refused to vote on the bill, which would ban all abortions unless the woman’s life is threatened. The three Democrats were then able to vote against sending the bill forward.”

My Take: The committee vote showed how little support there is for the bill, though the AP reports it is not completely dead yet. The story I want to know most is how this bill came to be—and was it just a game of oneup-manship, with members in the most red districts jockeying to show how cruel they can be to women.

Source: Associated Press

Abortion Bans Are Hurting Healthcare Across All Fields, Doctors Say

What: A Physicians for Human Rights brief based on interviews with 33 US physicians found abortion bans are causing substandard care across medical specialties beyond just reproductive health. Doctors in fields like oncology and dermatology report avoiding or delaying necessary treatment for women of reproductive age because abortion is restricted or banned. Researchers say these laws force clinicians to choose between obeying the law and providing evidence-based care.

Key Line: “Discussing the option of abortion is part of the standard of care, such as in the case of a pregnant patient with breast cancer, since some forms of chemotherapy that may be necessary are teratogenic. However, offering the option of abortion becomes problematic for physicians treating cancer in abortion ban states with a limited life-saving exception.”

My Take: It’s a small sample, but the data could soon show if this is a common effect in abortion ban states versus states that permit abortion.

Source: Ms. Magazine

MENOPAUSE

FDA Removes Harsh Warning on Menopause Hormone Therapy

What: Leana Wen, Washington Post columnist and a physician, has an op-ed praising the reversal of the FDA’s “black box” warning for menopause hormone therapy, after years of evidence showing the old risk label overstated dangers and discouraged use. But she also cautions against going further than the evidence currently suggests.

Key Line: "Regulators must guard against opportunistic companies attempting to portray hormone therapy as a cure-all for aging. The treatment should remain what science supports it to be: a valuable tool for women to relieve bothersome menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life."

My Take: Wen brings up a good point that skipping typical advisory committees means the FDA has not worked out, for now, how to appropriately label different dosages, delivery methods, and for women with a history of cancer or blood clots.

Source: The Washington Post

Cindy Eckert’s “Pink Pill” Comeback

What: The New York Times profiles Cindy Eckert, founder and CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, who regained control of her company and revived sales of Addyi, a prescription drug for premenopausal women with low sexual desire. Her success came years after critics accused her of hyping the drug and an FDA fight nearly sank it. Her unapologetically pink brand, once dismissed as a gimmick, is now central to her business’s new success. Ten years after approval, both her product and reputation have found fresh footing in a changed cultural moment.

Key Line: “‘We played the long game,’” Ms. Eckert said. ‘Culture caught up.’”

My Take: This is a tale of perseverance against the odds — and crazy to think it was merely ten years ago the company was battling for FDA approval.

Source: The New York Times

Hear are the trends we spotted this week in women’s health, and as always, scroll for the top clicked stories.

• 🩺 A split-screen moment in women’s health: The FDA lifted the black-box warning on menopause hormone therapy — potentially one of the biggest wins for women’s health in decades — even as 60 Minutes showed how Trump-era politics arbitrarily cut major breast-cancer research (and many others) overnight.
  

• ⚠️ The top threats new mothers still face: Pregnant and postpartum women are most likely to die from two things the system still struggles with — homicide (often by gun) and obstetric complications like placenta accreta. Two stories this week show just how preventable both categories could be with better policy and better hospital readiness.
  

• 🌟 When a celeb tells the truth: Jennifer Lawrence sharing how Zurzuvae helped her postpartum depression — without an endorsement check — shows how powerful honest celebrity stories can be.

TOP CLICKED STORIES THIS WEEK

Jennifer Lawrence says new drug helped her postpartum depression // New York Post

FDA removes black-box warning from hormone replacement therapy // NBC News

Why placenta accreta is rising — and what C-sections have to do with it // The New York Times

Study: higher gun ownership means more pregnant women murdered with guns // Stateline

Talking to kids about puberty — when you're in perimenopause yourself // The 19th

Opinion: the political fight over abortion pills is about to escalate // The New York Times

Researchers say campus culture wars are hurting their work // CBS News

Hear are the top things to know in women’s health and wellness so far this week:

• The New York Time editorial board makes it clear: access to abortion pills is vital throughout the United States, and it is under threat.
  

• It’s not shocking, but the more guns a state has per capita, the more dead pregnant women by gun violence there are.
  

• A potentially deadly condition known as placenta accreta has increased over recent years. Reporters dig into how hospitals are trying (and often failing) to treat it.

JUMP TO…

• Everything

• Pregnancy and Postpartum

• Abortion Access

• Menopause

EVERYTHING

When Puberty and Perimenopause Collide at Home

What: The 19th looks at parents navigating perimenopause while raising kids in puberty, and how they deal with the overlapping emotional and physical upheavals. Through reader stories and advice from psychologist Lisa Damour, the piece highlights how both stages bring big but different neurological and hormonal changes. Damour urges separating kids’ “brain renovation” from adults’ hormone shifts and reminds that taking care of your own needs is part of good parenting.

Key Line: “One thing that’s true for both kids going through puberty and their grown-ups going through perimenopause? ‘Development is inherently challenging,’ Damour said. ‘Change equals stress.’ And this is hard on kids and parents alike.”

My Take: Gen X and Elder Millennials are perhaps the first generations entering this dual hormonal challenge with the knowledge of what’s happening. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Source: The 19th

PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM

C-Section Scars Tied to a Dangerous Pregnancy Complication

What: The New York Times has a deep dive on placenta accreta, a condition where the placenta grows into scar tissue from a prior C-section. It is becoming more common, and it can be fatal. They tell the story of Holly Baumstark, a woman who died at age 27 after doctors discovered her placenta had fused to her uterus during surgery.

Key Line: “Doctors are getting better at spotting accreta on ultrasounds before birth. But many women still go into labor undiagnosed. Obstetricians often do not have the expertise to handle a complex delivery, or even enough donor blood on hand. Dr. Julie Kang, a Miami obstetrician, took notice of the condition in 2016, when she treated two severe cases within a week of each other. ‘We’re going to see more of these,’ she recalled thinking. She opened a clinic specializing in the condition at her hospital, Memorial Regional, and treated nine accreta patients the next year. Her caseload has steadily marched upward, hitting 62 in 2024.”

My Take: We need research on why this is happening more often (simply an increase in C-sections?) and treating it should become the norm. Let me know what you think: [email protected]

Source: The New York Times

Study Links Higher Gun Ownership to More Homicides of Pregnant Women

What: A state-level study from JAMA Network Open found homicide rates among pregnant women increase with gun ownership rates. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital analyzed 7,063 homicides across 37 states from 2018–2021 and found pregnant women faced a 37% higher firearm homicide rate than nonpregnant women, with Black women making up most victims. For each 1% rise in state gun ownership, firearm-related homicides of pregnant women increased by 8%.

Key Line: “It is such an awful phenomenon that’s occurring in this country,” said Maeve Wallace, an epidemiologist and associate professor of public health at the University of Arizona. Wallace’s research has shown homicide to be a leading cause of pregnancy-associated death. Wallace, who wasn’t involved in the new study, said it points to how lax firearm policies put women at risk. ‘There’s been a real failure to address it at multiple levels, including in maternity care, in communities and addressing the ability for people to thrive and be safe and healthy,’ she said.”

My Take: Part of the failure is likely due to the decades-long ban on federal research on gun ownership that didn’t lift in 2018.

Source: Stateline

ABORTION ACCESS

Abortion Pills Kept Access Alive—But Threats Are Growing

What: The New York Times Editorial Board explains that despite post-Roe abortion bans in many states, overall abortion rates have risen because abortion pills are often prescribed via telehealth and let people safely end pregnancies at home. Roughly one in four U.S. abortions now occurs this way, showing how medication has reshaped access to care. But Republican lawmakers are pushing new state and federal limits that could shut down this critical option unless supporters of reproductive rights push back.

Key Line: “Instead, the number of women receiving abortions has increased nationwide, even in most states with bans. ‘That brings us to the more enduring solution to this problem: Congress should set a floor that allows for basic access to abortion in every state. Such a law would return the country to a version of the legal landscape before the Supreme Court allowed burdensome restrictions in the 1990s and then reversed Roe v. Wade entirely in 2022 with Dobbs.’”

My Take: That enduring solution is far off, but it still means something when the NYT editorial board says it should happen.

Source: The New York Times

MENOPAUSE

How Menopausal Hormone Therapy Reputation Has Swung Over Time

What: JAMA Internal Medicine tracks how menopausal hormone therapy has shifted from being praised as a cure-all for aging and menopause symptoms to a source of medical controversy. It notes that, for years, MHT was promoted to prevent a range of conditions without solid trial evidence. But it can still help millions of women.

Key Line: “Debate about MHT is unlikely to disappear soon. What is the path forward? One step is liberating MHT from the unrealistic cultural expectations weighing it down. Menopause—and more importantly, midlife aging in women—is not a simple estrogen deficiency state but a multisystem biological and psychological transition, driven by far more than change in any one hormone.”

My Take: The author makes these points but also points out that women—half of the world’s population—will spend half their lives in peri or post-menopausal years. 

Source: JAMA Internal Medicine

Hear are the top things to know in women’s health and wellness so far this week:

• The FDA lifted the black box warning on hormone replacement therapy for women approaching menopause, a move the FDA commissioner says could be the greatest improvement for older women’s health beyond vaccines and antibiotics.
  

• Meanwhile, 60 Minutes highlighted how the Trump administration abruptly cut long-running breast cancer research at Harvard — a reminder that progress in women’s health now happens alongside Trump’s arbitrary whims.
  

• Actress Jennifer Lawrence said she used Zurzuvae to treat her postpartum depression, and it worked well for her. Even more — she’s not a paid rep for the manufacturer.

JUMP TO…

• Everything

• Pregnancy and Postpartum

• Menopause

• Oncology

EVERYTHING

Young Women Confront Life with A.L.S. at Cape Cod Retreat

What: This article is a deep dive into young women diagnosed with A.L.S. who met on Cape Cod to find connection and humor in a brutal, degenerative disease. It also explores how ALS is associated with older men, prolonging diagnoses and treatment for young women.

Key Line: “By the time Ms. Northrop went to the doctor, she was losing her ability to speak. The doctor told her that she was fine, and that she was suffering from depression. She was puzzled. “About what?” she said. Ms. Kessler was pregnant when she first felt weakness in her right hand, but her obstetrician was dismissive. She was diagnosed shortly after she gave birth, at 29, when she started having trouble buttoning up her baby’s onesies.”

My Take: The article says there’s no data showing the disease is growing more common among young women but is another example of disease that can get overlooked in women.

Source: The New York Times

PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM

Jennifer Lawrence says new fast-acting drug eased her postpartum depression

What: Actress Jennifer Lawrence said Zurzuvae, a new 2-week antidepressant for postpartum recovery, helped her manage severe postpartum depression after the birth of her second child. The drug is unusual in how quickly it works, clinical trials showed it could ease symptoms within three days. It’s the first oral medication made specifically for postpartum depression.

Key Line: “But a fast-acting treatment pill can help new moms turn things around in just a couple of weeks — and it’s so new, many women don’t know it exists. Lawrence, 35, may be changing that: The mother of two spoke about the 14-day treatment that ‘really helped’ when it ‘felt like a tiger was chasing [her] every day.’”

My Take: Lawrence said she is not a paid rep of Sage Pharmaceuticals, which makes this commentary all the more meaningful.

Source: New York Post

MENOPAUSE 

FDA Drops Black Box Warning on Menopause Hormone Therapy

What: Big news on the menopause front: the FDA announced it is removing black box warning on estrogen and progesterone therapies for menopause after reviewing newer evidence showing the old cancer and heart risk data were based on outdated science. The change affects pills, patches, gels, and creams now used to ease hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness, though labels will still advise starting before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause.

Key Line: “In the JAMA editorial, Makary and three other FDA officials wrote that the warnings — which appear on medication packaging — will be removed from products that contain estrogen or progestogen only, as well as the two combined. ‘With the exception of antibiotics and vaccines, there may be no medication in the modern world that can improve the health outcomes of older women on a population level more than hormone therapy,’ they wrote.”

My Take: The black box warning change seems like it will help patients already seeing doctors trained to treat menopause…but will this change things with (most) other doctors? I lean towards no but let me know if you think I’m wrong!

Source: NBC News

HHS Removes Black Box Warnings on Estrogen Therapy, SWHR Urges Balanced Caution

What: The Society of Women’s Health Research supported the removal of the black box warning, especially on local estrogen treatments for vaginal dryness and related menopause symptoms are proven safe. But they cautioned against removing all warnings without evidence-based review and called on the FDA to clearly communicate to patients and clinicians.

Key Line: “Labeling practices should reflect evidence-based risks and benefits and align with the latest guidelines from medical professional societies in women’s health, allowing women and their health care providers to make fully informed shared decisions. While the use of vaginal estrogen for the treatment of GSM has a wealth of evidence in favor of its use and the backing of leading medical experts and professional societies, there are important considerations when it comes to the use of systemic hormone therapy.”

My Take: This is the devil in the details.

Source: SWHR

ONCOLOGY

Trump Administration Freeze Joan’s Research (And Much More)

What: 60 Minutes dives into the Trump administration withholding over $2 billion in federal research grants from Harvard after the university refused to change campus policies tied to free speech. It halted hundreds of science projects, including research from Joan Brugge, the director of the Ludwig Cancer Center at Harvard Medical School. For 50 years, Brugge won competitive federal grants to detect and treat breast cancer. Then her million-dollar annual funding was cancelled last spring, for research on identifying the earliest signs of breast cancer.

Key Line: “Joan Brugge: So our progress has been significantly affected. Now, I'm spending most of my time ringing doorbells to find alternate funding so that we can keep the lab going. …There's now this existential threat that this could happen again. …It will eventually draw people away from the United States to carry out research, where that kind of threat and that kind of insecurity doesn't exist.” 

My Take: This is just one study of hundreds focused on women’s health that remain in funding limbo, as courts find the cancellations illegal, and the Trump administration continues to appeal.

Source: CBS News

Hi everybody,

It’s been a few weeks since I started sending the new weekend wrap-up, and I wanted to see what you think of them. Sometimes I worry they start to feel repetitive, but then again, I am the one reading them most closely. 😅

You can take the quick poll below or just hit reply. I love to hear your feedback!

— Meghan

TOP CLICKED STORIES THIS WEEK

The inflammation gap // The Atlantic

Robust implementation of Medicaid postpartum extensions key to maintaining maternal-health momentum // Milbank Memorial Fund

Mayo Clinic study finds majority of midlife women with menopause symptoms do not seek care // Mayo Clinic News Network

Postpartum psychosis: International experts seek to save lives of mothers, babies // Biological Psychiatry

What Tuesday’s elections mean for the future of abortion rights // The Guardian

Hear are the top things to know in women’s health and wellness so far this week:

• Democrats swept the elections Tuesday night, defending abortion access in states and nationwide. (But keep an eye on the filibuster talk…)
  

• A randomized clinical trial found women with early-stage breast cancer don’t survive any longer if they get radiation treatment.
  

• Another potential women’s health casualty of the Republican’s reconciliation package? Extending Medicaid coverage for women a year after they’ve given birth.

JUMP TO…

• Everything

• Pregnancy and Postpartum

• Abortion Access

• Oncology

EVERYTHING

Mexico’s President Presses Charges After Being Groped in Public

What: Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum filed a police complaint after a man groped and tried to kiss her on a Mexico City street, an incident caught on video. She said she did so to set an example for other women and called for consistent national laws making sexual harassment a crime. The man, identified as Uriel Rivera Martínez, was arrested, sparking debate in Mexico about everyday harassment and safety for women in public spaces.

Key Line: "'We need to make this visible and say no — a firm no,' Ms. Sheinbaum said. 'Women’s personal space must not be violated. How do we address this? Through awareness campaigns, through schools — because this is also about educating men. And we must make sure that when women file complaints, they are taken seriously and not made to waste a whole day, which discourages them from reporting.'”

My Take: It's not straight women's health news, but a remarkable reminder of a women's place in the world too often.

Source: The New York Times

PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM

Meta-analysis finds acetaminophen safe for use in pregnancy

What: A systematic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry looked at 16 human studies on acetaminophen use during pregnancy and found no evidence it causes autism or ADHD in children. They said that while a small initial link to ADHD appeared, it likely stemmed from bias and genetics, not the drug itself. The authors conclude current evidence supports continued acetaminophen use in pregnancy, in line with CDC and ACOG guidance.

Key Line: "In the resulting novel systematic review and meta-analysis, the investigators applied rigorous systematic review methodologies to determine the extent to which current data can support an association between prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and the risk of NDDs in children. They also used quantitative bias analysis to provide an estimate of the direction, magnitude, and uncertainty arising from systematic errors when assessing acetaminophen use during pregnancy and the risk of ADHD in children and performed sensitivity analyses."

My Take: This likely won't make it into the discourse now, but might be useful in court cases.

Source: EurekAlert

 Medicaid’s Postpartum Extensions Face Funding and System Hurdles

What: An analysis looked at the relatively new development that nearly all states extended Medicaid coverage for new mothers to a full year after childbirth. Interviews with state officials, providers, and Medicaid enrollees show the policy keeps women in the health care system, but faces administrative errors, provider shortages, and looming federal funding cuts. The authors warn that new budget restrictions could slow or reverse progress unless states protect postpartum benefits and fix eligibility issues.

Key Line: "Moreover, the [Republican budget] law will reduce federal Medicaid spending by about a trillion dollars over 10 years and redirect much of state Medicaid agencies’ capacity and resources to implementation of new policies, which could lessen focus on maternal health."

My Take: This is another slow-rolling but substantial hit to women's health care in America under the Trump administration, just like the backdoor destruction of Title X clinics.

Source: Milbank Memorial Fund

ABORTION ACCESS

Democrats’ Election Wins Bolster Abortion Rights in Key States

What: Democrats scored major victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, securing governors’ offices and state courts that will protect abortion access. These wins, plus California’s approval of a redistricting measure favoring Democrats, strengthen abortion rights after years of restrictions since Roe v Wade was overturned.

Key Line: “In Pennsylvania, voters decided to retain three liberal supreme court justices, maintaining Democratic control of a bench that could decide the future of abortion rights in the deeply purple state. The sweeping support for California’s Proposition 50, a redistricting measure that will help Democrats pick up extra seats in the US House, will also likely defend national access to abortion."

My Take: The next thing to keep an eye on? What happens to the 60-vote threshold (aka the filibuster) in the Senate. Trump is pushing that, and if Senate Republicans don't tell him no...we could see a national abortion ban by the end of next year.  

Source: The Guardian

ONCOLOGY

Study Finds Radiation Adds No Survival Benefit for Many Breast Cancer Patients

What: A randomized clinical trial of 1,600 women with early-stage breast cancer found no survival difference between those who received chest-wall radiation after mastectomy and those who did not. After nearly 10 years of follow-up, survival rates were 81.4% with radiation and 81.9% without it. The findings suggest some women can safely avoid radiation if other treatments are working well.

Key Line: “'It was clear for low-risk cancer that you did not need radiation after mastectomy and that for high-risk patient you did need radiation and still do it after mastectomy,'” said Dr. Harold Burstein, a medical oncologist at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and a professor at Harvard Medical School, who was not involved in the study. 'That left open the question of the intermediate group of patients — there was still a question of whether adding radiation therapy would be helpful,' he said. The study results suggests that radiation is not necessary for these women."

My Take: Science at work -- it's still happening!

Source: The New York Times

Hear are the top things to know in women’s health and wellness so far this week:

• Mother Jones points out that abortion was indirectly on the ballot in many states today. So far, the results are looking good, most notably in Pennsylvania which maintained a Democratic majority in the state’s highest court.
  

• Inflammation is a health influencer buzzword. The Atlantic looks at how that’s affecting treatment, particularly of autoimmune diseases (where the majority of patients are women.)
  

• Postpartum psychosis needs its own entry in the handbook doctors use to treat mental health issues, so women suffering from it can get faster, more precise care.

JUMP TO…

• Everything

• Pregnancy and Postpartum

• Abortion Access

• Menopause

EVERYTHING

When “Inflammation” Stops Meaning Anything

What: The Atlantic digs in to how the word “inflammation” has drifted from its medical meaning into vague wellness-speak, creating confusion between real autoimmune illness and everyday discomforts. One doctor shares the story of treating patients with severe autoimmune disease and how it muddies understanding and delays proper care.

Key Line: "One recent study showed that, among people with an autoimmune condition, more than 80 percent have tried some form of complementary and alternative medicine. In my experience, most patients gravitate toward interventions on the milder end of the spectrum, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies, but even these can be problematic if taken to the extreme. One patient of mine told me that, at a certain point, he was consuming 60 supplements a day, putting him at risk of adverse interactions with his prescription medications.'

My Take: The vast majority of patients with autoimmune diseases are women. 

Source: The Atlantic

Cuts to Lab Test Payments Threaten Women’s Health Access

What: The president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association warns that Medicare payment cuts that start next year could reduce access to hundreds of diagnostic tests vital to women’s health, including those for breast cancer, heart disease, thyroid disorders, and diabetes. The cuts stem from a 2014 law that based Medicare rates on incomplete private lab data.

Key Line: "Protecting women’s health requires access to the tests that provide important and actionable insights to improve care and save the lives of our mothers, sisters, and daughters. Absent action by Congress, reimbursement cuts will go into effect that could jeopardize early detection, prevention, and treatment for millions of women nationwide."

My Take: Another important issue, flying under the radar. But also one that seems like it could have a shot if it gets attached to a big "must pass" bill in Congress.

Source: SWHR

PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM

Experts Urge Reclassification of Postpartum Psychosis to Improve Care

What: A review in Biological Psychiatry called for postpartum psychosis to be recognized as its own mental illness category in the DSM-5, the official handbook for diagnosing mental health conditions. They argue that clearer classification would speed diagnosis, enable proper treatment, and save lives, since the condition can lead to suicide or infanticide if untreated.

Key Line: "The experts argue that postpartum psychosis does not fit into the existing categories of mental illness in the two billing and coding resources. The current descriptions only recognize 'peripartum onset,' meaning the illness strikes during the period around childbirth. This, the authors say, incorrectly describes how postpartum psychosis can set in weeks or months after delivery."

My Take: A good reminder how the arcane elements of medical bureaucracy can affect real life treatment. 

Source: Biological Psychiatry

ABORTION ACCESS

The Hidden Abortion Fights on Tuesday’s Ballots

What: The article explains how state elections in California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia—though not directly about abortion—could heavily influence reproductive access nationwide. From California’s redistricting measure that could reshape who runs Congress next year to Texas’s “Parents Bill of Rights” amendment and Virginia’s battles over a constitutional abortion-rights amendment, the threat to abortion access exists through many elections.

Key Line: “In five states, the results will also have major statewide and even national implications for access to reproductive care."

My Take: I've got the benefit of writing this after some election results have come in, and we can consider New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia safe for now. The results in California will take much longer -- and have the greatest potential consequence for the nation.  

Source: Mother Jones

 MENOPAUSE

Most Midlife Women With Menopause Symptoms Aren’t Getting Care, Mayo Clinic Finds

What: A Mayo Clinic survey of nearly 5,000 women ages 45–60 found that over 75% experience menopause symptoms, yet more than 80% never seek medical help. About one-third reported moderate to severe issues that affected their daily life, including sleep problems and weight gain. Researchers say the findings show a major care gap and urge more proactive, accessible menopause management in primary care.

Key Line: "While many women said they preferred to manage symptoms on their own, others said that they were too busy or unaware that effective treatments exist."

My Take: None of this is shocking, but more data is always better to get treatments we deserve. 

Source: Mayo Clinic

Hear are the trends we spotted this week in women’s health, and as always, scroll for the top clicked stories.

• 💊 Women’s health systems are fracturing in plain sight — from family-planning clinics losing federal funding to widening gaps in contraception and menopause care, access is quietly collapsing even as awareness grows.
  

• 🧬 Precision is replacing one-size-fits-all medicine — studies on exercise, PCOS, and hormonal contraceptives show how sex-specific and subtype-based research is reshaping prevention and treatment.
  

• 🌍 Women are building their own information networks — whether it’s fertility tourism or WhatsApp menopause referrals, patients are turning to global and peer-to-peer routes to fill the care void.

TOP CLICKED STORIES THIS WEEK

• Men Need Twice as Much Exercise as Women to Lower Heart Disease Risk // The Guardian
  

• The Perimenopause Whisper Network // The New York Times
  

• America’s Family Planning Network Is Quietly Falling Apart // KFF Health News
  

• Four PCOS Subgroups Identified for More Tailored Care // Nature Medicine
  

• Protein Powders Still Contain High Lead Levels // Consumer Reports

Hear are the top things to know in women’s health and wellness so far this week:

• KFF Health News has a detailed piece on one of the most overlooked stories in women’s health: the backdoor shuttering of federally-funded clinics that serve nearly 3 million Americans with family planning and basic care.
  

• PCOS can be a catch-all diagnosis for women. This JAMA Oncology study finds four subtypes that could lead to more precise treatment.
  

• The New York Times chronicles perimenopause treatment that required a whisper network.

JUMP TO…

• Everything

• Birth Control

• Menopause

EVERYTHING

America’s Family Planning Network Is Quietly Falling Apart

What: KFF Health News has a deep dive on how the country's reproductive health safety net is collapsing. The federal office for Title X family planning programs has effectively shut down, cutting a funding lifeline for clinics serving millions of low-income patients. Maine Family Planning recently closed three rural sites, and experts warn that combined funding freezes across Medicaid, the CDC, and HRSA will leave many without contraception, STI testing, or basic preventive care. The article traces how a bipartisan public-health success built over 50 years is now unraveling through neglect and stalled federal action.

Key Line: "Marcella, the former OPA leader, warned of a “backdoor dismantling. 'If there aren’t people to administer the grants, then the administration can later argue the program isn’t working and redirect the funds elsewhere,' she said. 'This is a functional elimination, done quietly.'”

My Take: This is an excellent piece that on what is likely one of the biggest issues in women's health in America and is getting lost in the shuffle.

Source: KFF Health News

Four PCOS Subgroups Identified for More Tailored Care

What: A study of nearly 12,000 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) found four distinct subgroups based on hormone and metabolic profiles, confirmed across five global cohorts. Each subgroup showed different risks for issues such as miscarriage, metabolic disease, or IVF complications, suggesting the need for more individualized treatment. The team also developed an online tool, PcosX, to help classify patients into these groups for better care planning.

Key Line: "This international collaboration has provided robust evidence that could change how we diagnose, treat, and follow up on women with PCOS. It also emphasises that treatment can be tailored to the PCOS subtype to better capture the biological variation in PCOS,“ says Elisabet Stener-Victorin."

My Take: Women's health deserves precision!

Source: Nature Medicine

BIRTH CONTROL

Different Hormonal Contraceptives Carry Different Breast Cancer Risks, Swedish Study Finds

What: A large observational study tracked more than two million women ages 13–49 from 2006–2019 and found that some hormonal contraceptives were tied to a higher risk of breast cancer than others. Products with the hormone desogestrel showed the greatest increase—about 50% higher with long-term use—while others, such as drospirenone-containing pills and certain injections, showed little or no increase. The study emphasizes that hormonal contraception remains effective and beneficial but understanding risk differences helps people and clinicians choose safer options.

Key Line: “'Not all hormonal contraceptives have the same effect on the risk of breast cancer,' says Professor Åsa Johansson, research group leader at Uppsala University and SciLifeLab and the study’s senior author. 'Our results indicate that some progestins – particularly desogestrel – are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, while others, such as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injections, showed no increase.'”

My Take: This information is important and certainly warrants more investigation but will almost certainly be weaponized to scare more women about contraceptives. (That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done, though!)

Source: JAMA Oncology

MENOPAUSE

How Women Rely on Word-of-Mouth for Perimenopause Care

What: The New York Times has a deep dive into the challenges women face getting treatment for perimenopause symptoms. One woman profiled had symptoms around age 40, but found her doctors dismissive, saying she was too young. She eventually turned to an herbalist who listened but recommended an expensive specialist who didn’t take insurance. The story highlights how many women rely on informal networks and personal referrals to access care for hormonal changes that mainstream medicine often overlooks.

Key Line: "It was not until her friend, an art gallerist, shared Ms. Ellenberg’s story on a WhatsApp group chat, that Ms. Ellenberg learned of a medical practice that offered comprehensive hormonal consultations, took insurance and did not make patients wait more than a year to be seen. 'Perimenopause is firmly in the cultural zeitgeist,' Ms. Ellenberg said — but the care does not feel like it’s caught up."

My Take: This is why we need a good, evidence-based guide for women to understand the basics and work the system we've got now, not the one we may have in 10 years. (More on that.)

Source: The New York Times

Influencers Overstated a Study Linking Estrogen in Perimenopause to Lower Disease Risk

What: A recent study reviewed over 120 million patient records and found that people who used estrogen during perimenopause for at least 10 years had roughly 60% lower rates of breast cancer, heart attack, and stroke compared with other groups. The 19th talks with the lead author on what more information is needed -- and how some in the media exaggerated the findings.

Key Line: “Pope said she’s excited about the online conversations about her research but noted that the amount of misinformation about it gets at what is so complicated about the menopause content landscape right now. 'I love that awareness of perimenopause and menopause is happening through social media. I appreciate seeing physicians and health care providers out there giving people information and empowering women to come in and seek care,' Pope said. 'What I try to caution people about is that you should not stop there. You can’t take advice for your individual health care from a social media post.'”

My Take: Ditto to my last take above. :)

Source: The 19th