The density of bones, measured as bone mineral density (BMD), is strongly related to osteoporosis. Elderly women with osteoporosis, in particular, are at increased risk of fractures of the hip, arm, and spine; such fractures often relate to severe disability. With…
Your feet are pretty small, considering they have to support the entire height and weight of your body. But they can cause big problems. So pay some attention to your feet especially with summer coming and you want to wear those…
Women who take valproate (Depacon) during pregnancy may increase the risk of childhood autism and its spectrum disorders in their children, a population-based study showed.
In utero exposure to the drug was associated with a five-fold elevated risk of autism and three-fold…
The most recent Physician Compensation Report 2013 published by Medscape continues to show that female physicians earn less than their male counterparts. The following graph shows the gap:
To learn more about the report click HERE.
When the mind is at rest, the electrical signals by which brain cells communicate appear to travel in reverse, wiping out unimportant information in the process, but sensitizing the cells for future sensory learning, according to a study of rats conducted…
Women who smoke have weaker bones than women who don’t. And a study indicates that’s also the case for teenage girls, who may be setting themselves up for weaker bones as they get old according to research Larah Dorn of Cincinnati…
Nearly 1 in 5 teen births are repeat births, about 183 a day. Many repeat births could be prevented through postpartum use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) such as IUDs and implants. Counseling women during prenatal visits about postpartum contraception, and…
President Barack Obama talks with Evan Jackson, 10, Alec Jackson, 8, and Caleb Robinson, 8, from McDonough, Ga., while looking at exhibits at the White House Science Fair in the State Dining Room, April 22, 2013. The sports-loving grade-schoolers created a…
A disturbing trend in many cases of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and rape against women is the tendency to blame the victim of the crime, rather than the perpetrator. Over the past several months, there have been a number of high…
Dove does it again. In a recently released short film, Real Beauty Sketches, Dove conducted a social experiment involving seven women, several strangers and Gil Zamora, an FBI-trained forensic artist. Each woman was asked to enter a room and answer questions about…
Dating in middle school may be not so much fun in the long run. A study indicates kids who date in middle school have worse study skills, more substance abuse and more likelihood to drop out of high school than kids…
Population-wide weight loss during an economic crisis in Cuba in the ’90s led to declines in death from diabetes and heart disease, which rebounded once the country got back on its feet, researchers found. During the crisis, which occurred between 1991…
A new European study finds that children and teens suffering from migraine headaches were far more likely to have been colicky babies. Dr. Phyllis Zee, a member of the Women’s Health Science Institute’s leadership council, commented on this study: “the suggestion…
Women are much less likely than men to be diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer – an approximate four-to-one ratio – but there is little to suggest a gender-based defense or susceptibility. The discrepancy centers more on blue-collar occupations and workplaces that have…
Last week Health Canada released an official warning on the association of increased risk of bone fracture with the frequent use of Proton-Pump Inhibitor (PPI) medications, used to treat symptoms of acid reflux and gastroesophegeal reflux disease (GERD). While an important…
Two weeks ago for Forbes I wrote about some of the unintended, but positive, consequences that could result from employers dropping employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI). Following that post, many weighed in about various other consequences of such behavior from employers and…
Recently, I’ve been having very detailed dreams related to work that include problem solving (unfortunately, they are not just fun fantasies!). I’ve actually wondered if these dreams are some sort of mechanism that comes with aging. Lo and behold, today I…
Beginning in 2013, states will begin rolling out health care insurance exchanges as required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To this point most legislators, policymakers and health care experts have discussed the state-based and federal insurance exchange options at length.…
Recently, emergency contraceptives have been at the center of the debate as to whether employers must cover contraception under their health insurance plans. Under the Affordable Care Act, which covers preventive care, non-exempt employers must cover the morning-after pill (Plan B)…
Medela, a company focused on women and infant health, has announced a call for nominations for its Breastfeeding Hall of Excellence, a program created to recognize individuals who help moms successfully nurse and reach their breastfeeding goals. Those eligible include lactation…
Teresa K. Woodruff, PhD
An amendment to increase biomedical research at the National Institute of Health(NIH) passed by unanimous consent on March 22. The Women’s Health Research Institute at Northwestern applauds the introduction of a bipartisan amendment by our own Senator Dick…
Diabetes affects the body in many ways. Celebrate Diabetes Alert Day (March 26) by learning how diabetes can effect the female body! Take a few minutes to look at this female anatomy chart to learn more!
Do you follow your doctor’s orders? According to a new study, many new moms may be feeding their babies solid foods too soon – and sometimes they’re just following their doctors’ advice. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should…
As the three-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act approaches, the Kaiser Family Foundation has updated its interactive quiz that allows users to test their knowledge about what’s in – and what’s not in – the health reform law.
Quiz takers can…
In May, 2013, the American College of Gastroenterology has published new guidelines for diagnosing and managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Dr. Lauren B. Gerson from Stanford University School of Medicine, California, a member of the guidelines panel, highlighted six areas where…
Happy first day of spring! That’s right; even though we are still experiencing sub-zero temperatures in many parts of the country (Chicago weather today is brutal!), it is technically now spring. With spring, comes spring vacation and thoughts of warm weather…
March is National Women’s History Month in the U.S. and we didn’t want to close the month without paying tribute to the women who have made significant contributions to the nation’s health. We’ve provide two links for you to view. The…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Lymphoseek Injection, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent that helps doctors locate lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer or melanoma who are undergoing surgery to remove tumor-draining lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes filter lymphatic fluid…
Even though they’re more effective at preventing pregnancy than most other forms of contraception, long-acting birth-control methods such as intrauterine devices and hormonal implants have been a tough sell for women, especially younger ones. But changes in health-care laws and the…
Nearly 25% of those infected with HIV/AIDS in the United States are female. In recognition of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10, take a few minutes to learn basic facts about prevention, testing, and issues specific to…
According to a recent investigation, doctors in rural areas of India may be performing unnecessary hysterectomies (the surgical removal of the uterus) on women in an attempt to make additional money. While it is difficult to obtain exact statistics regarding hysterectomies in…
As today’s cancer treatments increase survivorship, many young cancer patients now look at their potential for parenting children. The decision to have children, if fertility is sustained, is complicated and filled with legal, ethical and financial considerations. The Oncofertility Consortium based…
A common misconception about teen pregnancy is the belief that it is a problem mainly among the urban poor teenagers. Not true. The teen birth rate in rural areas is nearly one-third higher than in the rest of the U.S., according…
Are electronic toothbrushes better? When I first started using an ‘electric’ toothbrush with an automated shut-off system, it surprise me how long it ran (about 2 minutes per use). I had gotten into the habit of brushing my teeth in…
There is growing evidence that the more engaged patients are in their health care decision, the better the outcomes. Much research — including several studies published in the current issue of Health Affairs — found that patients with the lowest involvement…
Today, February 28, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Senate’s bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Initially, the House bill excluded specific protections for gay, bisexual or transgender victims of domestic abuse — eliminating “sexual orientation” and…
It’s generally known that women’s genital tissue is more susceptible to the HIV virus that causes AIDS. Researcher are studying the various types of epithelial cells in the reproductive tract and the possible protective role of mucus to try to determine…
During a visit with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn on February 13, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that Illinois has been conditionally approved to operate a State Partnership Marketplace (Exchange), which will be ready for open enrollment in…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this month approved the Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone-Gel Filled Breast Implant to increase breast size (augmentation) in women at least 22 years old and to rebuild breast tissue (reconstruction) in women…
A new study from France suggests that women who drink large amounts of diet soda are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. The findings also support the previously documented association between high intake of regular sugar-sweetened beverages and the condition,…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) strikes three times more women than men and researchers in Europe may have found a clue. Scientists at the Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit at the U of Manchester have discovered 14 new genes that can lead to…
When people with Type 2 diabetes are diagnosed with cancer – a disease for which they are at higher risk – they ignore their diabetes care to focus on cancer treatment, according to new Northwestern Medicine® research. But uncontrolled high blood…
In January 2013, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), which is the nation’s leading group in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, released an opinion on a lesser known form of abuse called reproductive coercion. Reproductive coercion occurs whenever…
More intense sunlight exposure was linked with a decreased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among women in the original Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), although the more common use of sunscreen likely weakened the association in a later cohort, researchers found. Rheumatoid…
FDA regulators announced they will not take action regarding a vending machine that dispenses emergency contraception on Shippensburg University’s campus in Pennsylvania, MSN News reports.
The machine is located in the school’s health center, which can only be accessed by students and…
During National Heart Month, we are reminded that heart disease is the number one killer of women. Educate yourself and women in your community by ordering a Free Heart Health Kit. Check out other FDA resources including tips on using cholesterol…
More than 90 percent of women use at least one medicine during pregnancy, after all, you can still get a cold while pregnant or you may have a chronic disease that requires medication. Unfortunately, many drug studies have not included pregnant…
Women who are obese at the start of their pregnancy may be passing on insufficient levels of vitamin D to their babies, according to a new Northwestern Medicine® study. The study found that babies born to lean mothers had a third…
According to recent studies, many women are receiving unnecessary Pap tests, or smears, to screen for cervical cancer, while others are not receiving the appropriate tests. The guidelines for how often women should receive Pap tests were recently changed. Previously, physicians typically…
The majority of women who reported experiencing sexual violence, regardless of their sexual orientation, reported that they were victimized by male perpetrators.
Nearly half of female bisexual victims (48.2 percent) and more than one-quarter of female heterosexual victims (28.3 percent) experienced their…
Binge drinking is a major public health concern among American women with nearly 14 million overindulging in alcohol, government researchers said.
About 12.5% of adult women in the U.S. reported binge drinking in 2011, downing four drinks or more in one sitting,…
Overactive bladder affects an estimated 33 million Americans, the majority of whom are older women. Two treatments have recently received FDA approval.
On January 25, FDA approved Oxytrol for Women, the first over-the-counter treatment for overactive bladder in women ages 18 years…
If you’re suffering from a cold, the flu, or another virus, there are things you can do to help relieve the symptoms, but taking antibiotics will not help. Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, such as strep throat. Antibiotic resistance is a…
Young and middle-age women whose diet included high levels of anthocyanins — the flavonoids present in red and blue fruits such as strawberries and blueberries — had a significantly reduced risk for myocardial infarction (MI), a large prospective study found.
Women whose…
On January 7, the U by Kotex brand, with the help of Ogilvy and Mather, launched a new campaign titled “Generation Know” aimed at addressing vaginal health myths. The campaign consists of short TV spots, longer more candid online videos, and…
These days, many new mothers return to the workplace with a briefcase in one hand—and a breast pump kit in the other.
For those moms working outside the home who are breastfeeding their babies (and those who travel or for other reasons…
Mental disorders are the cause of more than 37% of disabilities worldwide, with depression being the leading cause of disability among people aged 15 and older, according to the World Health Organization’s Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors (2006). Compared…
You might feel blue around the winter holidays, or get into a slump after the fun and festivities have ended. Some people have more serious mood changes year after year, lasting throughout the fall and winter when there’s less natural sunlight.…
Taking tamoxifen (Novaldex) for 10 years after primary treatment leads to a greater reduction in breast cancer recurrences and deaths than taking the drug for only 5 years according to findings from the ATLAS trial, which were presented at the San…
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) recently published a report indicating that the pay gap, or the earning difference between men and women, is still an issue today, and often manifests in the very first paycheck a female college graduate…