Sexual & reproductive health

One in three Europeans cannot identify cystitis as a bladder infection, with some mistaking it for conditions such as skin problems or food allergies. A survey of more than 3,000 adults in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK found 35 per cent could not define the condition. Awareness was lowest among 18–24 year olds, [...]

A hydrogel applied to vaginal tissue could offer hormone-free relief for menopause symptoms, new research suggests. The treatment may help with vaginal dryness and pain linked to genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). GSM occurs when the vaginal and urinary tissues become thinner and drier after menopause. Dr Marianna Alperin, professor and vice chair [...]

New York attorney general Letitia James will intervene in Texas’s bid to penalise a New York doctor accused of mailing abortion pills across state lines. The Democratic attorney general announced her intervention on Monday, escalating one of the most consequential fights in the US abortion wars since Roe v Wade was overturned three years ago. [...]

After decades of women carrying contraceptive responsibility, advancements in the development of male contraceptives could see products approved for use within the next few years, with the potential to shift the burden of birth control. For all the freedoms that come with it, for decades, women have borne the brunt of the responsibility for birth [...]

Scientists have warned that chemicals in plastics are driving falling sperm counts, after talks on a global pollution treaty collapsed over disputes about chemical regulation. Last week, after nearly two weeks of negotiations, delegates left Geneva on Friday without agreement, after oil- and gas-producing nations objected to production limits and chemical curbs. Almost 100 nations [...]

Missed medical appointments cost billions, and can mean the difference between early detection and a devastating diagnosis. A pioneering AI platform is tackling medical ‘no-shows’ and getting more women into lifesaving cervical screenings. The US loses US$150bn to missed medical appointments each year, with the cost of no-shows thought to be around £1.2bn in the [...]

A UK-based company has launched a nationwide survey to gain insight into women’s experiences with Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and prenatal screening, in an effort to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs. Forte Medical has launched the survey as many previously overlooked areas of women’s health are being discussed and transformed with research and [...]

The US decision to incinerate US$9.7m worth of contraceptives is expected to result in 174,000 unintended pregnancies and 56,000 unsafe abortions across five African countries. The medical supplies, many of which were not due to expire until between 2027 and 2029, would have supported more than 1.4 million women and girls in the Democratic Republic [...]

Menstrual data is finally being recognised for its value in medical science, but are period tracking apps putting our privacy at risk? Femtech World editor Sarah Sinclair reports. Period‑tracking apps don’t just collect data on our cycle. Under the banner of “personalised health insights”, they log information such as sexual activity, contraception use, exercise, moods, [...]

The Trump administration is seeking to ban abortions at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, including in cases of rape, incest or where a pregnancy endangers a veteran’s health. Documents filed on Friday propose reversing a Biden-era policy that allowed VA facilities to offer abortion counselling and procedures in limited circumstances to veterans and eligible family [...]