News

US startup and breast pump innovator Willow Innovations has acquired UK femtech company Elvie, as Elvie enters into administration, During its 12 years of operations Elvie has developed a number of innovative women's health technologies such as kegel trainers and breast feeding products, raising more than $186 million in that time. Facing market challenges, strong [...]

Age, economic status, number of children and religiosity — are the key predictors of LGB parents’ desire to expand their families, new research has found. In contrast to the findings of previous studies, experiences of discrimination, stigma, and social support were not found to have a significant impact on parental aspirations. The researchers now aim [...]

Artificial intelligence (AI) could help sonographers identify any abnormalities at the 20-week pregnancy screening scan almost twice as quickly, without reducing the accuracy or reliability of diagnoses, a new study has shown. This will help improve patient care by allowing sonographers to focus on other aspects of the scan, such as communicating with parents or [...]

Steroid hormone levels in healthy adults are influenced by oral contraceptives and smoking, as well as other lifestyle choices and factors such as biological sex and age, according to new research. The objective of the research was to expand knowledge and understanding of steroid hormone levels, including corticoids and sex hormones, in healthy women and [...]

Women experience a significant fall in earnings in the years following a menopause diagnosis, with more women stopping work and others working fewer hours, according to a new study. Economists calculated that women experience a 4.3 per cent reduction in their earnings, on average, in the four years following a menopause diagnosis, with losses deepening [...]

Women shoulder a significantly greater out-of-pocket cost burden than men when it comes to prescription medication spending, according to a US report. The data shows that in 2024, women spent $8.8 billion – or 30 per cent – more than men on out-of-pocket prescription costs. Combined with the common responsibilities of managing a career, family [...]

Uresta, non-invasive solution for bladder leaks, is to launch in the United States. Uresta, a female-owned and led health startup, aims to help women to regain confidence and control over stress urinary incontinence (SUI) without surgery or absorbent products. To support its expansion, Uresta recently secured $3 million in funding, including $1.5 million from BDC [...]

Many UK fertility patients are being offered unnecessary add-on treatments that are unlikely to improve the pregnancy, according to a new report. According to regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), 73 per cent of the 1,500 patients surveyed reported using an add-on in their most recent treatment cycle, the majority following recommendation from [...]

US researchers have identified a key protein whose increased presence helps promote breast cancer brain metastasis, opening a new area of research into the condition. In their recent findings, the research team found the MUC5AC protein is upregulated in patients whose cancer has spread to the brain. The finding provides a rationale for developing a new [...]

A recent study has highlighted the importance of the emotional bond that a mother establishes with her child during pregnancy. The study team followed 160 young, low-income, racially diverse mothers from pregnancy until their children were two and a half years old. Mothers who felt more connected to their babies during pregnancy were more likely [...]