News

By Theresa Neil, CEO of Femovate For years we’ve known that maternal mortality remains too high, even in wealthier countries. The data is clear but meaningful change has been slow. Now, there are signs that things may finally be shifting. New Momentum in Funding Funding for maternal health is beginning to grow, and it’s coming [...]

A US$50m pledge to establish an endometriosis research centre has divided academics and public health experts over the ethics of accepting funding linked to the poker machine industry. The 10-year commitment will support what is being described as a world-first institute focused on accelerating diagnosis and developing precision-based treatments for a condition affecting around 1 [...]

Women who remain sexually active during midlife may experience fewer symptoms such as vulvar dryness, pain and irritation, new research suggests. The study, involving more than 900 women aged 40 to 79, examined the relationship between sexual frequency and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) – a group of genital, urinary and sexual symptoms associated with [...]

People with autoimmune diseases face nearly double the risk of depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, with women significantly more affected than men, large-scale UK data shows. An analysis of 1.5 million participants from the Our Future Health dataset found that 29 per cent of those with autoimmune conditions self-reported a diagnosis of a mental health [...]

The founders of Mirvie are tapping into their expertise in RNA science and oncology to address gaps in maternal health with a platform that can predict pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, before they happen. With 46,000 maternal deaths and 500,000 fetal or newborn deaths related to preeclampsia every year globally, there is an urgent need [...]

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) will safeguard player rankings for those undergoing fertility procedures such as egg freezing and IVF, in what players have called a "safe space" for family planning. Under a rule announced on 11 June 2025, WTA players ranked inside the top 750 in singles or doubles will be able to retain [...]

A lawsuit settlement in Massachusetts over alleged medical harm at a crisis pregnancy centre is prompting new legal guidance for faith-based clinics across the US. Crisis pregnancy centres are now being advised not to perform ultrasounds on women with suspected ectopic pregnancies – a potentially life-threatening condition where an embryo implants outside the womb – [...]

Health secretary Wes Streeting has launched a national investigation into England’s worst-performing maternity units after a series of scandals involving baby deaths and maternal harm. The review will focus on up to 10 of the most underperforming maternity and neonatal services, including those in Leeds, Sussex, Gloucester, and Mid and South Essex. It will begin [...]

Pregnant women who vape are exposed to lower levels of toxic chemicals than those who smoke, new research led by scientists at City St George’s, University of London has found. The study recorded reductions ranging from 44 per cent to 97 per cent in levels of harmful substances among women who exclusively vaped compared with [...]

A healthy gut microbiome before chemotherapy may help protect breast cancer patients from heart damage caused by treatment, new research suggests. Scientists found that specific gut bacteria were linked to biomarkers associated with increased risk of cardiotoxicity – damage to the heart muscle as a result of cancer therapies. The study examined the gut microbiome [...]