Wellness

Toxic PFAS chemicals have been detected in some reusable menstrual underwear and pads, with one-third of tested items showing signs of intentional use. Researchers analysed 59 products, including 43 pairs of period underwear, eight reusable pads, four menstrual cups, three reusable incontinence underwear and one reusable incontinence pad. PFAS – short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl [...]

Talkspace has partnered with women’s healthcare provider Tia to integrate mental health services into primary care across all stages of a woman’s life. The agreement will see Tia’s clinicians refer patients to Talkspace for therapy and psychiatric care, creating what the companies describe as a comprehensive model that addresses both physical and mental health. The [...]

Parents in their early 30s report fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety than peers without children, but gender and income gaps in mental health still remain. A new study shows that mothers and fathers aged 32 in England reported slightly lower levels of anxiety and depression, and greater life satisfaction, than those without children. However, [...]

UK MPs have proposed regulating digital fertility services after Apricity’s collapse left patients in limbo at a critical point in their IVF treatment. Conservative MP Caroline Dinenage introduced a ten-minute rule bill to extend the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s (HFEA) powers to include online providers and wellness clinics offering fertility-related services. The move reflects [...]

Targeted radiotherapy is as effective as full-breast treatment for low-risk breast cancer but causes fewer side effects, a decade-long UK study has found. Partial-breast radiotherapy, which directs radiation only to the area around the tumour rather than the entire breast, reduced long-term complications while maintaining a 3 per cent recurrence rate. More than 9,000 women [...]

Ovum has launched clinical trials at two Australian hospitals to test whether its AI assistant can improve participation in women’s preventative healthcare. The six-month studies at the Royal Hospital for Women and St George Hospital are among the first in the country to assess AI as a preventative health tool designed specifically for women. The [...]

Language barriers are putting both patients and healthcare professionals at risk, a new survey has found. The revealed that with two-thirds (65 per cent) of healthcare workers in female care are worried about safeguarding when it comes to language barriers – while 37 per cent believe that non-English speaking women receive a poorer standard of [...]

Mounjaro may significantly reduce breast cancer tumour growth in obese patients, according to early-stage research in mice. The weight loss drug, which contains tirzepatide, showed what researchers described as a “beneficial impact” on cancer outcomes, though they stress more testing is needed. In a study involving 16 nine-week-old mice with breast cancer tumours who were [...]

By Laurent van Lerberghe, Founder and Managing Partner, KELES In my years working in life sciences investment, I’ve encountered brilliant minds developing next-generation medical technologies, from AI-driven therapeutics to advanced diagnostics. We now see these going one step further, delivering even greater impact on women’s and family health by integrating design with cutting-edge, AI-enabled science [...]

Women’s health is being neglected by researchers, prompting calls for urgent action to address major gaps in care across both high- and low-income countries. Dr Anita Zaidi, president of the Gates Foundation’s gender equality division, said a lack of research is holding back progress in tackling common but often overlooked conditions. She pointed to innovations [...]