News
Research roundup: Advancing the understanding of female infertility, Hormone therapy in older women linked to tau accumulation, and more
Femtech World explores the latest research developments in the world of women’s health.
Breast cancer death rates have stopped going down
A new paper indicates that breast cancer mortality rates have stopped declining in women older than age 74, reconfirming that breast cancer mortality rates have stopped falling in women younger than age 40. This finding for older women is new.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American women, with over 42,000 women dying of the disease in 2024. Before 1990, female breast cancer rates had been rising, and breast cancer mortality rates had been flat or increasing. Since 1990 there has been a steady decline in breast cancer mortality rates, which public health observers attribute both to the widespread use of mammograms and improvements in treatment.
The investigators conducting this study contend that mortality rates have stopped declining for women under 40 and over 74 due to significant increases in stage IV breast cancers at diagnosis in these two age groups. Stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer at diagnosis has an extremely poor prognosis: a 31 per cent five-year survival rate.
This study indicates that increasing rates of advanced stage breast cancer at diagnosis is an important reason breast cancer mortality rates are no longer declining at the rate they once did. The researchers believe that this may be due to healthcare protocols.
The researchers say that the fact that breast cancer mortality rates have stopped declining for women over age 74 is an alarming new trend.
Menopause symptoms associated with future memory and neuropsychiatric problems
Women who exhibit more menopausal symptoms are more likely to later have poorer cognitive function and mild behavioral impairments, both markers of dementia, a new study has shown.
Females are known to have a three-fold greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and will be disproportionately affected by the increasing global dementia burden. A proposed factor that may confer special risk to females is the loss of estradiol at menopause.
In the new study, women who reported more perimenopausal symptoms had greater cognitive impairment, with higher ECog-II total scores as well as more mild behavioural impairment symptoms in mid- to late life, with higher MBI-C total scores.
Hormone therapy was not significantly associated with cognitive function but was linked to fewer behavioural symptoms.
The authors conclude that a higher menopausal symptom burden may indicate susceptibility to cognitive and behavioural changes later in life.
Findings may advance understanding of infertility in mothers
Oxytocin may have a newfound purpose in mammalian reproduction. In times of maternal stress, the hormone can delay an embryo’s development for days to weeks after conception, a new study in rodents shows. According to the authors, the findings about so-called “diapause” may offer new insights into pregnancy and fertility issues faced by humans.
Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, the study explored diapause, in which an embryo temporarily stops growing early in its development before it attaches to the lining of its mother’s uterus, a key step leading to the formation of the placenta.
Known to occur in species ranging from armadillos to giant pandas to seals, diapause is thought to have evolved to help expectant mothers preserve scarce resources (e.g., breast milk) by delaying birth until they have enough to successfully take care of their offspring.
Although recent studies have uncovered evidence that a form of diapause may occur in humans, the underlying mechanisms behind it have until now remained unclear.
The findings in mice showed that one type of stress that may cause diapause is milk production and release (lactation), as it requires a mother to expend bodily nutrients to both nursing, already-born pups and to those growing in the womb.
The study revealed that the time between conception and birth (gestation), typically 20 days for these animals, was delayed by about a week in pregnant rodents that were already nursing a litter.
Further, the research team showed that this delay was brought about by a rise in the production of oxytocin, levels of which are known to go up as a mother lactates.
To confirm this role for the hormone, the researchers exposed mouse embryos in the lab to a single dose (either 1 microgram or 10 micrograms) of oxytocin, and found that even these small amounts delayed their implantation in the uterus by as much as three days.
Beyond just pausing pregnancy, the team found that surges of the chemical large enough to mimic the amounts and timing measured during nursing caused loss of pregnancy in the mice in nearly all cases.
The ‘silent’ X chromosome gives the ageing female brain a boost
Researchers may have discovered how the female brain remains resilient in ageing, potentially explaining how most women outlive men and retain their cognitive abilities longer.
Females carry two X chromosomes. One of them is ensconced in a corner in the cell called the Barr body, where it can’t express many genes, and scientists thought it didn’t do much of anything.
But the research team from UCSF discovered that as female mice reached the equivalent of about 65 human years, their ‘silent’ second X started expressing genes that bolster the brain’s connections, increasing cognition.
“In typical ageing, women have a brain that looks younger, with fewer cognitive deficits compared to men,” said Dena Dubal, MD, PhD, a professor of neurology and the David A. Coulter Endowed Chair in Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease at UCSF.
“These results show that the silent X in females actually reawakens late in life, probably helping to slow cognitive decline.”
Hormone therapy in older women linked to tau accumulation
A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers has found faster accumulation of tau, a key indicator of Alzheimer’s disease, in the brains of women over the age of 70 who took menopausal hormone therapy (HT) more than a decade before.
The results could help inform discussions between patients and clinicians about Alzheimer’s disease risk and HT treatment.
While the researchers did not see a significant difference in amyloid beta accumulation, they did find a significant difference in how fast regional tau accumulated in the brains of women over the age of 70, with women who had taken HT showing faster tau accumulation in specific regions of the brain. This difference was not seen in women younger than 70.
Studying the structure of energy transport enzymes could lead to new breast cancer treatments
Cancer cells hijack various cellular functions to find and exploit energy and other resources, including a group of enzymes called creatine kinases (CK) that help normal cells maintain a balance of energy.
These enzymes allow cells to transport energy produced at the mitochondria to where it is needed throughout the cell. Cancer cells rely on this machinery for shuttling energy to help meet their ravenous fuel demands. Studies of breast cancer cells have highlighted the importance of a type of CK called ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase (uMtCK).
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys and the Mayo Clinic published findings that provide a detailed structure of human uMtCK and show how its structure changes when bound to the energy storage molecules creatine or adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
To ascertain the structure of uMtCK, the scientists captured images using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). This technology enables investigators to create 3D images of proteins and their ligands by rendering individual atoms. These blueprints may help scientists design new treatments that can stop cancer cells from seizing control of the cells’ energy supply chain to slow or stop tumor growth.
In addition to uncovering the 3D structures of uMtCK and how it interacts with other players involved in energy transport, the research team also tested the only available CK inhibitor called CKi to determine its potential to interrupt abnormal energy transport in breast cancer cells.
The scientists found that CKi successfully reduces breast cancer cell growth. The findings and tools used in this study helped validate that inhibition of the pathway can be effective for the treatment of breast cancer. However, CKi has been shown not to be selective for uMtCK, meaning it is likely to shut down other cellular processes that can lead to high toxicity.
New STI impacts 1 in 3 women: Landmark study reveals men are the missing link
A landmark study reveals that bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition affecting nearly a third of women worldwide and causing infertility, premature births and newborn deaths, is in fact a sexually transmitted infection (STI), paving the way for a revolution in how it is treated.
Monash University and Alfred Health researchers at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre say their findings hold the key to driving down stubborn and distressing recurrence rates of BV among women.
Authors Professor Catriona Bradshaw and Dr Lenka Vodstrcil say the standard practice of treating BV as an imbalance (disruption) to the vaginal microbiome means that more than 50 per cent of women get it back within three months after the standard week-long treatment of an oral antibiotic.
In their trial of 164 couples with BV in monogamous relationships, they found that treating BV as an STI, with both sexual partners treated simultaneously, achieves significantly higher cure rates than the current practice of only treating women.
In fact, they stopped the trial early when it became clear that BV recurrence was halved in the partner treatment group compared to treating women alone.
We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for the Menstrual Health Innovation Award at the third annual FemTech World Awards.
This award, sponsored by Premom exists to celebrate the trailblazers redefining what menstrual health means in the modern world.
It recognises breakthrough products, services, and initiatives that are pushing boundaries in technology, product design, education, accessibility, and destigmatisation.
Premom’s innovative ovulation prediction app combines a digital ovulation test reader, intelligent fertility charting, and customised cycle insights to simplify the path to motherhood.
Sister company easy@Home was the first brand in the USA to offer personalised testing solutions and devices, and has become the largest volume seller of ovulation tests in the country.
Premom’s sponsorship of this award reflects a shared commitment to empowering women with better tools, better knowledge and better outcomes across every stage of their reproductive health journey.
This year’s shortlist is a testament to the remarkable breadth of innovation happening across the femtech landscape, from wearable bioelectronics to mission-driven apps reaching underserved communities across the globe.
Congratulations to the finalist and thank you to everyone who nominated.
Menstrual Health Innovation Shortlist
Founded by healthcare designer Kateřina Rydlová, who wanted to manage her own period pain without relying on medication, Body Moody has developed a discreet, wearable heated bodysuit that delivers targeted warmth to the abdomen and back – quietly, under everyday clothing.
Made from soft viscose, controlled via a companion app, and built for 200+ washes and over five years of use, the bodysuit is as practical as it is pioneering.
Their borrow-then-buy model lowers the barrier to entry and early customer feedback speaks for itself, with users reporting that they have gone from averaging multiple painkillers per cycle to needing none at all.
Eshe is a women’s health ecosystem built for a part of the world that femtech has long overlooked.
Rooted in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 69 per cent of global maternal deaths occur, 65 per cent of women and girls in Kenya cannot afford sanitary pads, and over 60 per cent of women lack access to preventive healthcare, Eshe was created to meet women where they are.
The Eshe app offers daily menstrual cycle and fertility tracking, pregnancy monitoring, mental wellbeing check-ins, in-app consultations with qualified doctors, and health education content, all in one place.
By identifying irregular cycles, missed periods and mental health changes, the platform nudges users toward timely action rather than emergency intervention.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects almost one in five women, making it the leading cause of infertility and a significant risk factor for conditions spanning obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive decline.
Despite this staggering burden, there has not been a new treatment option in seven decades – until now.
LoOoP is a bioelectronic device paired with the MyLoOoP companion app, designed to address both the metabolic and menstrual symptoms of PCOS with the ultimate ambition of avoiding, delaying, or reducing its long-term complications.
The MyLoOoP digital platform goes further still, combining evidence-backed content, clinically validated journaling tools, a validated phenotyping algorithm, and an inclusive community – closing the persistent gaps in PCOS diagnosis, information and care.
What happens next
The shortlist will be judge by a Premom representative who will announce the winner at a virtual event on June 19.
The winner will receive a trophy and be interviewed by a Femtech World journalist.
Mental health
Dr-Julian helps deliver breakthrough mental health support for Black and ethnically minoritised mothers
A groundbreaking digital perinatal mental health pilot for Black and ethnically minoritised women has helped women access support faster, complete therapy at higher rates, and recover more successfully than national averages.
The partnership between digital tech company Dr-Julian and The Essential Baby Company Ltd within a new model of mental health care named haPPIE SHE Cares – who offer personalised support for women sharing their healthcare experiences, showed results well above NHS benchmarks for Black and ethnically minoritised women.
The pilot was created to help women who are less likely to use traditional mental health services during pregnancy and in the first year after giving birth.
By combining trusted community referrals, culturally aware support, and fast access to therapy through Dr-Julian’s online and virtual care platform, the programme delivered standout results.
Every woman who joined the pilot started therapy, 90 per cent completed treatment, and 74 per cent recovered; well above the NHS benchmark of around 52 per cent.
Women referred through community organisations accessed support in just one day on average, compared with around 21 days through many standard services.
Even the programme’s regular referral route reduced waits to 13 days.
The findings come as NHS leaders continue to focus on maternity inequalities and unequal access to mental health care.
Black and ethnically minoritised women can face barriers including stigma, language needs, lack of trust in services, childcare pressures, and difficulty navigating complex systems.
The haPPIE SHE Cares model was designed to break down those barriers by working with trusted community groups, offering culturally informed support, and where possible matching women with therapists who understood their background or language.
Gemma Poole for The Essential Baby Company said: “Too many women who need help feel unseen, unheard or unable to get support when they need it most.
“This project shows that when services are built around trust, culture and community, women engage, recover and thrive.
“This early success could provide a blueprint for reducing inequalities in maternal mental health care across the UK. Behind every statistic is a mother who felt supported, a family that benefited and a woman who found her voice.
“Mental healthcare must work for every community. This partnership shows that when high-quality therapy is combined with culturally responsive support, outcomes improve and women get help faster.
We are proud to have provided the therapists, virtual care systems and digital pathways behind this programme. We believe this model could help NHS organisations nationwide cut waiting times and improve recovery rates.”
Women who took part described the programme as life-changing, saying it reduced isolation, gave them confidence speaking with healthcare professionals, and made them more willing to seek help.
With growing pressure on maternity and mental health services, leaders behind the project say the pilot offers a practical solution that improves care while helping cut long waiting lists.
Plans are now being explored to expand the model through training, regional partnerships, and future funding.
Only one per cent of women can name all five gynaecological cancers, new research suggests, as 21 women in the UK die every day of the diseases.
The report also found that 31 per cent of women have put off or avoided seeking medical advice for gynaecological symptoms.
It also found that 43 per cent of women invited for cervical screening said barriers had put them off attending, while 18 per cent of respondents aged 25 to 34 who had been invited had never attended.
The five main gynaecological cancers are womb, also called uterine, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal cancer.
The Lady Garden Foundation said that, while progress has been made since the UK government’s 2022 Women’s Health Strategy aimed to improve gynaecological cancer care, significant challenges remain.
John Butler, medical director and trustee at the Lady Garden Foundation, said: “The fact that only one per cent of the population can name the diseases that directly affect half of us underscores a significant awareness gap, impacting individuals’ ability to recognise vital signs and symptoms or seek timely medical help.
“Addressing this isn’t just about awareness; it’s a critical public health priority. Our collective efforts are essential to ensure the latest commitments announced by this government translate into tangible change that saves lives.”
The report said key reasons for delaying medical advice included difficulty making appointments, embarrassment and, for cervical screening, fear of pain or previous bad experiences.
Women also reported challenges within healthcare interactions, including feeling “not taken seriously”, “dismissed” or “not believed” when seeking gynaecological advice.
Jenny Halpern Prince, chief executive and charity co-founder, said: “We frequently hear reports of women feeling ‘not taken seriously,’ ‘dismissed,’ or ‘not believed’ when seeking gynaecological advice.
“These experiences highlight crucial areas where we can improve patient support and trust within our healthcare system, ensuring women receive the empathetic and effective care they need.”
The Lady Garden Foundation said it aims to increase awareness of both the charity and the five gynaecological cancers.
It also aims to serve as a primary entry point for reliable, stigma-free information, helping people understand their bodies, recognise symptoms and overcome barriers to accessing care.
Its Silent No More Garden was unveiled at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026. Designed by Darren Hawkes, the garden serves as a national call to action, using five sculptures to spark conversations, break long-standing taboos and encourage open dialogue about symptoms and preventative care.
Butler said: “Continued focus and collaborative action are essential to progress.
“The ongoing commitment from the government, alongside societal efforts to break down taboos surrounding gynaecological health, are crucial.
“The Lady Garden Foundation is dedicated to being a beacon of information and support, empowering women with the knowledge they need. We urge everyone to learn the signs, speak up, and help us save lives.”
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