Pregnancy

Menstrual health literacy is alarmingly low – what you don’t know can harm you

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

When I ask my menstrual health workshop participants – including clinicians – there’s usually a lot of shrugging and shaking of heads.

Key Points: 
  • When I ask my menstrual health workshop participants – including clinicians – there’s usually a lot of shrugging and shaking of heads.
  • If given multiple choice options, most think that periods either “clean the womb” or somehow “help prepare for pregnancy”.
  • Yes, the blood part can stain clothing, but there is nothing pathological, contaminating, or dangerous about periods.

So, why do we have periods?

  • Periods likely evolved as a kind of preemptive abortion, to protect women from unviable or dangerous pregnancies.
  • As a result, we have low rates of conception, high rates of miscarriage, and extremely high rates of maternal mortality in comparison to other mammals.
  • The menstrual cycle is critical for facilitation of the initial steps of this raison d’être of the female reproductive system.
  • The menstrual cycle is critical for facilitation of the initial steps of this raison d’être of the female reproductive system.

What else don’t we know?

  • Perhaps with the fact that the second phase of the cycle from ovulation to menstruation is a series of highly inflammatory processes.
  • This was only very briefly mentioned in three out of 16 textbooks.
  • We really ought to be taught from puberty how to reduce period pain and blood loss – this is not difficult science.

Why aren’t we taught this stuff?

  • My research shows that the exclusive focus on the female sex hormones in menstrual education is informed by societal influences, such as the myth of the hysterical or hormonal female.
  • This gender myth is still alive and well, although now we tend to blame the (female sex) hormones.
  • Again, there was no scientific reason for this change in focus, although it reflected existing societal beliefs about the inherently irrational behaviour of women.
  • Unfortunately, menstrual health literacy has not yet recovered from this shift in physiological models.

So what?

  • It also becomes much easier to differentiate premenstrual changes from underlying health conditions, since the latter will not be substantially alleviated by anti-inflammatory interventions alone.
  • Teaching the reductive hormonal model of the menstrual cycle unintentionally provides pseudo-scientific evidence for the damaging hormonal or hysterical female gender myth.


Sally King is the founder of Menstrual Matters- the world's first evidence-based info hub on menstrual health and rights www.menstrual-matters.com. Her doctoral research and current research fellowship were funded by the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council).

Canada’s inaction in Gaza marks a failure of its feminist foreign policy

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

“Peace and prosperity are every person’s birthright.” So opened then Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland’s introduction to Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

Key Points: 
  • “Peace and prosperity are every person’s birthright.” So opened then Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland’s introduction to Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).
  • Launched in 2017, the policy stated that Canada would take an explicitly feminist approach to international assistance, including a commitment to protecting women’s sexual and reproductive rights.
  • Many considered it to be a forward-thinking policy that builds on the past work of NGOs and other international partners.
  • In addition to funding, Joly also offered RCMP support to help investigate the crimes of sexual violence against Israeli women.

Palestinian women’s rights long ignored

  • Her statement came after United Nations experts expressed alarm over “credible allegations of egregious human rights violations to which Palestinian women and girls continue to be subjected in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.” They cited reports of arbitrary executions, killings, detentions and sexual abuse of Palestinian women and girls by Israeli forces.
  • Even before the current escalation of violence, Canada’s support of Israel’s actions have long been identified as a significant limitation of FIAP.
  • Palestinian women also face increased risk of sexual violence.
  • There are credible reports of sexual violence being used as a tool of war against both Israeli and Palestinian women.

Reproductive health in Gaza in a dire state

  • An estimated 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza are at increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and maternal death.
  • The widespread food crisis has also had dire implications for reproductive and maternal health.
  • Malnutrition affects maternal health, and can also have long-term consequences for the health of mothers and their children.

Canada must act

  • Meanwhile, Canadian exports of military equipment to Israel have not only continued, but have increased since October.
  • Global Affairs Canada claims these exports are only for non-lethal equipment.
  • Canada’s delayed and inconsistent response to Israel’s military violence in Gaza represents a failure to evenly apply its own foreign policy.
  • If Canada truly wants to create a more peaceful and prosperous world, they must not leave Palestinian women behind.


Jacqueline Potvin previously received funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Mayme Lefurgey does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Where’s Kate? Speculation about the ‘missing’ princess is proof the Palace’s media playbook needs a re-write

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Social media have been awash with speculation about Catherine’s health and whereabouts.

Key Points: 
  • Social media have been awash with speculation about Catherine’s health and whereabouts.
  • As scrutiny reaches a fever pitch, we ask: why is the Palace’s typical media playbook no longer working?

Not so ‘unprecedented’

  • Anne Boleyn (circa 1501-1536), the second of six wives of Henry VIII, was executed after being found guilty of adultery, incest and treason.
  • The long-reigning Queen Victoria (1819-1901) was widely regarded as as a loyal wife and mother.
  • Yet she too became the target of gossip regarding her close friendship with Scottish servant John Brown after her husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861.

The Palace’s strategic communications

  • The royal family has gradually adjusted to new media and technologies, though not as quickly as the public might like.
  • On one hand, the Palace continues its age-old tradition of announcing major news on a noticeboard at the gates of Buckingham Palace.

Internet sleuthing and a manipulated image

  • There were also more serious claims that she was in a coma, or dead, or getting a divorce.
  • In the midst of this speculation, TMZ published a grainy photo of Catherine in the passenger seat of a car near Windsor Castle.
  • The public quickly realised the image was at best poorly photoshopped or at worst AI-generated.
  • The Associated Press, Getty Images, AFP and Reuters subsequently issued “kill notices” on the image, stating concerns it had been digitally manipulated.

Old media PR won’t work in a new media world

  • The situation with Catherine’s absence from public life exposes the limits of old media strategies in a “new media” world.
  • The Palace is used to being able to control media coverage through the royal rota, a select group of press outlets in the UK given access to royal events.
  • Yet the interest in Catherine’s health has prompted a number of statements to the press.
  • These old media strategies don’t seem to be working, with news outlets that are part of the royal rota reporting critically on the manipulated image.


The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

NGM Bio Provides Recent Business Highlights and Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

--On February 26, 2024, announced that it had entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger with Atlas Neon Parent, Inc., and Atlas Neon Merger Sub, Inc.--

Key Points: 
  • The combination of NGM707 and pembrolizumab was generally well-tolerated at all four doses (200, 600, 1200, 1800 mg) of NGM707.
  • Additional details can be found in NGM Bio’s recent filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
  • NGM Bio anticipates that the Offer and the Merger contemplated under the Merger Agreement will be consummated in the second quarter of 2024.
  • If the Merger is effected, NGM Bio’s common stock will be delisted from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and NGM Bio will be privately held.

The Joint Commission, Kaiser Permanente announce application period for 2024 Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Joint Commission and Kaiser Permanente are now accepting applications for the 2024 Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity.

Key Points: 
  • OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Joint Commission and Kaiser Permanente are now accepting applications for the 2024 Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity.
  • The award program will recognize a healthcare organization that led an initiative that achieved a measurable, sustained reduction in one or more disparities.
  • Bernard J. Tyson, the late CEO and chairman of Kaiser Permanente, worked tirelessly to address the disparities that plague the U.S. healthcare system.
  • Learn more about The Joint Commission’s and Kaiser Permanente’s commitments to healthcare equity.

Not too late to vaccinate

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 1, 2024

The recommendation acknowledges the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults, along with the currently available data on vaccine effectiveness.

Key Points: 
  • The recommendation acknowledges the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults, along with the currently available data on vaccine effectiveness.
  • It takes two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the viruses.
  • Adults 60 or older should talk to their health care provider to determine if the RSV vaccine is right for them.
  • The mission of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS): To promote health and safety through prevention, collaboration, education, innovation and response.

Health Advocate Applauds Federal Government in Free Access to Contraceptives for Canadians

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

OTTAWA, Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist of Canada (SOGC) applauds the Canadian government on today’s historic announcement to include free access for prescription contraceptives as part of a National Framework for Pharmacare.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist of Canada (SOGC) applauds the Canadian government on today’s historic announcement to include free access for prescription contraceptives as part of a National Framework for Pharmacare.
  • This announcement begins a generational shift across Canada in terms of access and the future of women’s health care at large.
  • Access to contraception is not only a matter of reproductive rights but also a fundamental aspect of public health and equity.
  • “The SOGC is pleased with today’s announcement from the federal government and its commitment to women’s health care in Canada.

Momcozy Earns Top Product Awards in 2024 Maternity and Baby Care Contests

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

LONDON, Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Momcozy, a world-renowned maternity and baby care brand, has recently garnered a number of prestigious awards, marking a successful start to 2024 and reinforcing its global leadership in motherhood empowerment.

Key Points: 
  • LONDON, Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Momcozy, a world-renowned maternity and baby care brand, has recently garnered a number of prestigious awards, marking a successful start to 2024 and reinforcing its global leadership in motherhood empowerment.
  • Momcozy earned a pair of Gold Awards from Bizziebaby, a United Kingdom-based independent review site for maternity products, for the brand’s V2 Hands-Free Breast Pump and its Seamless Floral Push Up Nursing Bra .
  • Momcozy’s portfolio of leading maternity and baby care items also received acclaim from the US-based Mom’s Choice Awards, a globally recognized program for family-friendly product and service reviews that evaluates thousands of items from over 60 countries.
  • The firm voted Momcozy’s Seamless Floral Push Up Nursing Bra as its top product for 2024, and awarded Momcozy’s M5 wearable breast pump as its 2024 runner-up.

FamilyWell’s Oversubscribed $4.3M Seed Round Led by .406 Ventures

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Boston, MA, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FamilyWell Health has secured $4.3 million in seed financing to solve the maternal mental health crisis.

Key Points: 
  • Boston, MA, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FamilyWell Health has secured $4.3 million in seed financing to solve the maternal mental health crisis.
  • This milestone marks the company’s first round of institutional capital and is led by .406 Ventures, with participation from GreyMatter Capital and Mother Ventures.
  • FamilyWell will continue to scale throughout New England and the funding will enable the company to expand nationally.
  • “With FamilyWell, patients get help within days and have ongoing support through one of the biggest transitions of their lives.”

New report highlights mental health challenges facing women veterans

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

DAV’s report, Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness , is the most comprehensive assessment of the unique factors contributing to the staggering rates of suicide among women veterans and how the system charged with their mental health care—the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—can and must do better.

Key Points: 
  • DAV’s report, Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness , is the most comprehensive assessment of the unique factors contributing to the staggering rates of suicide among women veterans and how the system charged with their mental health care—the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—can and must do better.
  • Gaps in mental health care: DAV’s report reveals the need to improve access to mental health care that accounts for the unique risk factors women veterans face, improve suicide prevention efforts among women veterans, and invest in further research and data collection that proportionally represents women veterans.
  • Understanding: The impact of reproductive health life stages on mental health and suicide risk among women veterans is woefully understudied and not well defined.
  • Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness is DAV’s third report focused on the unique experiences and needs of women veterans.