The World Health Organization has recommended mifepristone as a new emergency contraceptive and backed longer use of the pill and implants. It has also set out what future contraceptives for men should achieve.
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Evidence-based reporting, analysis and perspectives on women’s health worldwide. Updated as stories develop.
Bacterial vaginosis linked to threefold STI risk in study of 1.5 million US women
Women who tested positive for bacterial vaginosis were more than three times as likely to have a sexually transmitted infection at the same time, laboratory data on more than 1.5 million US women show. Existing guidance already supports testing for both, and treating male partners has been shown to improve cure rates.
Mental health toll of endometriosis and PMOS shown in survey of 9,000 Australian women
Women with endometriosis or polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) report depression and anxiety at up to 2.2 times the rate of other women, an Australian survey of 9,000 women has found. Its authors want mental health checks built into clinics that Australia is already expanding.
Earlier menopause linked to more anxiety and depression, Finnish cohort finds
Women who had entered the menopausal transition by the age of 46 were 44% more likely to report clinically significant anxiety, a Finnish study of more than 2,600 women shows. Menopause guidance in England already asks clinicians to address mood, and women can ask for it.
Illinois makes menopause a protected status at work
Illinois has made it unlawful to discriminate against workers because of perimenopause or menopause. From 1 January 2027, employers with four or more staff must offer reasonable accommodations, and workers will have a clear route to ask for them.
More than half of Japan’s new fathers now take childcare leave
For the first time, more than half of eligible fathers in Japan have taken childcare leave. Most still take weeks while mothers take a year, and Swedish evidence suggests the timing of fathers’ leave can help women recover after birth.
WHO launches ten-year roadmap to tackle pre-eclampsia
The World Health Organization has published a global plan to tackle high blood pressure in pregnancy, which causes about 16% of maternal deaths. It targets a long gap in medicines for pre-eclampsia, while proven checks and treatments can already protect women today.
Women with autoimmune disease wait longer for diagnosis and are more often told it is psychological
Women with autoimmune diseases report waiting far longer than men for a diagnosis and more often hear that their symptoms are psychological, an international study of 6,607 patients shows. Researchers and guidelines set out what should happen when symptoms persist.
Earlier menopause linked to faster memory decline
Women who reached menopause earlier had faster declines in memory and thinking in later life, a US study of 2,603 older women suggests. Its senior author sees midlife as a window to act on risk factors, and tackling such factors could prevent or delay nearly half of dementia cases across the population.
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