Scientific Program | Women Health | Gynecology

8 essential women’s health screenings you can’t afford to miss

2025-05-29 - 2025-05

This checklist calls attention to important diagnostic examinations to empower and facilitate women in taking health responsibility.

Breast Health: Breast cancer is the primary reason for cancer-related death among Indian women. Doctors recommend that women perform self-examinations every month, along with yearly clinical breast exams and mammograms between the ages of 40 and 49 or earlier if they have relatives who have had breast cancer.
Cervical Cancer: Cervical cancer is a serious issue. Women should begin Pap smears, preferably with HPV testing, at age 21 and have them every three years. Vaccination is highly recommended for girls at age 11-12 before they are sexually active because it protects against cervical cancer and other cancers.
Thyroid Function: There is a high prevalence of thyroid disease. Thyroid function tests (T3, T4, and TSH) are important and should be considered in all regular visits, especially in women with complaints related to the thyroid, who are pregnant, or who have recently undergone menopause.
Diabetes Screening: India has a heavy burden of diabetes. Fasting blood sugar or HbA1c estimation should form part of regular visits, especially in women older than 45 years or with high risk.
Cardiovascular Health: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death and disability among women in India. A lipid profile should be conducted every five years, starting at age 20 or earlier with a family history.
Blood Health: Anaemia is quite common among women, which can sometimes go unnoticed until symptoms such as tiredness and weakness arise. A Complete Blood Count (CBC) test is a quick and simple screening test. It is a crucial screening test for women who are menstruating or pregnant and for women who may be feeling fatigued for no reason.
Vitamin Deficiencies: Vitamin D and B12 deficiency are usual and widespread. Screening is recommended, especially for women with joint pain, fatigue, or mood changes.
Bone Health: Osteoporosis, particularly after menopause, is becoming more of a concern. A bone mineral density (BMD) test is recommended for women aged 65 and over, or earlier if they have risk factors.
Abdominal and pelvic sonography may be useful for early ovarian cancer detection, particularly with a family history. Discussing abnormal uterine bleeding, PCOS management, postmenopausal bleeding, and fertility concerns with a gynaecologist should be prioritised.

Climate Change Linked To Rising Cancer Incidence Among Women, Study Finds

2025-05-28 - 2025-05

The study published in Frontiers in Public Health points to a statistically significant rise in both the incidence and mortality of breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers correlated with increasing temperatures.

While the rise in cases per degree of temperature increase may appear modest, experts warn that the cumulative effect poses a substantial threat to public health over time.

“These findings underscore a disturbing link between environmental change and women's health,” said Dr. Wafa Abuelkheir Mataria of the American University in Cairo, lead author of the study. “Even small increases in temperature are associated with higher cancer mortality—particularly for ovarian and breast cancers.”

Focusing on 17 climate-vulnerable countries, including Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon, the study examined cancer prevalence and mortality data from 1998 to 2019 alongside regional temperature trends. The results highlight a significant rise in cancer cases and deaths for each additional degree Celsius of temperature increase, with ovarian cancer showing the highest surge.

Co-author Dr. Sungsoo Chun emphasized the heightened vulnerability of women in these regions due to both physiological and social factors. “Climate-related health risks are magnified for women, especially those facing systemic barriers to healthcare,” he said. “Without urgent intervention, this trend could lead to a deepening of existing health inequities.”

Spotlighting Key Upcoming Presentations Across Oncology at ASCO 2025

2025-05-26 - 2025-05

Ahead of the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Cancer Network spoke with a variety of oncology experts about the late-breaking abstracts, plenary sessions, and other key presentations that may shift the paradigm across different cancer care fields. They highlighted anticipated clinical trial results that may transform the standard of care for gynecologic malignancies, lung cancer, and other disease types.

Rachel N. Grisham, MD, section head of Ovarian Cancer and director of Gynecologic Medical Oncology at MSK Westchester of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, shared her anticipation of findings from the phase 3 ROSELLA trial (NCT05257408) assessing relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. She stated she was excited to see if the data may represent a new opportunity for this patient population.

Next, MinhTri Nguyen, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist at Stanford Health Care, highlighted a few breast cancer presentations to look out for. These topics included a plenary session on data from the phase 3 SERENA-6 study (NCT04964934) evaluating camizestrant in combination with CDK4/6 inhibitors for those with hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer harboring emergent ESR1 mutations.

Additionally, Eric K. Singhi, MD, assistant professor in the Department of General Oncology in the Division of Cancer Medicine, and assistant professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, spoke about a range of potentially practice-changing results in the lung cancer field. For example, he described a session focused on primary results of the phase 3 IMforte trial (NCT05091567) assessing lurbinectedin (Zepzelca) plus atezolizumab (Tecentriq) for those with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). According to Singhi, data from IMforte may shift the paradigm of maintenance therapy for this SCLC population.

In the world of head and neck cancer, Douglas R. Adkins, MD, associate professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, Section of Medical Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, highlighted the session on the phase 3 NIVOPOSTOP GORTEC 2018-01 trial (NCT03576417). Investigators of this study evaluated nivolumab (Opdivo) in combination with chemoradiotherapy for those with resected head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Adkins noted his excitement to see how these data may impact the standard of care, particularly for patients in Europe, where investigators conducted the study.

As part of an Oncology Decoded discussion, Benjamin Garmezy, MD, the associate director of genitourinary research and executive cochair of the Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee at Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) and medical oncologist at SCRI Oncology Partners specializing in genitourinary cancers, discussed key abstracts in bladder cancer. One specific presentation included additional findings from the phase 3 NIAGARA trial (NCT03732677), which may show how circulating tumor DNA can influence treatment decision-making regarding perioperative durvalumab (Imfinzi) for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Gynecology Electrodes Market Outlook and Future Projections for 2030

2025-05-27 - 2025-05

The gynecology electrodes market represents a dynamic and continually evolving landscape, shaped by changing consumer demands and technological advancements. In this comprehensive report, we provide an in-depth exploration of the market, designed for a wide range of stakeholders including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and investors. Our goal is to equip industry participants with essential insights that enable informed decision-making in an ever-changing market environment. This analysis not only examines the current state of the gynecology electrodes market but also forecasts its future trends.

Scope and Purpose
This report serves as an extensive resource, thoughtfully curated to deliver actionable intelligence to industry stakeholders. It covers critical elements such as market dynamics, competitive environments, growth opportunities, challenges, and regional differences. The insights provided go beyond mere descriptions, offering a valuable tool for stakeholders to refine their strategies and make informed choices in a competitive market.
Comprehensive Market Analysis
We are committed to providing a thorough analysis that explores every aspect of market growth, including shifts in consumer preferences and technological innovations driving demand for gynecology electrodes products. We also address the challenges faced by the industry, such as economic uncertainties and intense competition, offering insights to help stakeholders navigate these complexities.

Key Players in the Gynecology Electrodes Market:
Medtronic , Johnson & Johnson , Olympus , Stryker , Bovie Medical , MedGyn , GerMedUSA , Utah Medical Products , DTR Medical , Anthony Products , BOWA Medical , Premier Medical , Marina Medical , Seemann Technologies , MEDpro Medical , Timesco Healthcare , Rocket Medical , Purple Surgical , Ace Medical Devices , Beijing Taktvoll Technology , Beijing Jinhengwei (Ahanvos)
Strategic Guidance for the Future
This report invites stakeholders to delve into a detailed examination of the competitive landscape. By profiling key players in the gynecology electrodes market and analyzing their strategies, we offer crucial insights to help industry participants make informed strategic decisions. Whether it's about outpacing competitors or learning from successful approaches, our analysis is designed to guide stakeholders toward success.

Anticipated Insights
Understanding the diverse segments within the gynecology electrodes market is critical to success. Our report breaks down segment sizes, potential growth trajectories, and key trends, offering actionable insights that allow stakeholders to develop targeted strategies and optimize resource allocation. The knowledge provided empowers stakeholders to navigate the complexities of the gynecology electrodes market with clarity and confidence.

Balancing Market Forces and Strategic Impact
This report delivers a comprehensive analysis of the factors shaping the gynecology electrodes market. By evaluating both the drivers of market growth and the obstacles that could impede it, stakeholders gain a holistic understanding of the market's dynamics. For manufacturers, this analysis helps align innovation efforts with consumer demands and regulatory trends, while investors and decision-makers gain a deeper understanding of economic risks and supply chain vulnerabilities, allowing them to make more informed strategic choices. Our goal is to provide stakeholders with the knowledge needed to confidently and successfully navigate the gynecology electrodes market.

Competitive Landscape
Our in-depth examination of the gynecology electrodes market's competitive landscape highlights key players, scrutinizing their strategies and impacts on the industry. By analyzing the approaches of major companies, stakeholders gain a valuable understanding of market dynamics and can leverage these insights to identify growth opportunities, innovate, and make informed strategic decisions.

Market Segmentation
The report begins with a detailed analysis of the unique characteristics defining each segment within the gynecology electrodes market. Segmentation can occur across various dimensions, including product types, customer demographics, or specific use cases. Understanding these differences allows stakeholders to tailor their strategies, products, and marketing efforts to meet the specific needs of each segment, enhancing competitive positioning and maximizing opportunities for success.

Market Segments:
Product Type: Loop Electrodes , Ball Electrodes , Needle Electrodes , Conization Electrodes , Blade Electrodes
Application: Hospital , Clinic , Other
Market Size and Segment Growth Potential
A crucial part of the report focuses on understanding the size and significance of each market segment. We provide quantitative data that illustrates the market share and contribution of each segment, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation, strategic prioritization, and investment. This section offers insights into the growth potential of each segment, including factors driving future expansion, evolving consumer preferences, and technological adoption.

Conclusion
This report serves as a strategic guide for stakeholders in the gynecology electrodes market, offering comprehensive insights into market segmentation, competitive dynamics, and growth potential. By understanding the market's complexities and emerging opportunities, industry participants can make well-informed decisions that drive success and innovation in this rapidly evolving market.

Bayer Highlights New Data from Oncology and Women's Health Portfolios at 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting

2025-05-21 - 2025-05

Post hoc analyses from the pivotal Phase III ARANOTE trial evaluating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes with NUBEQA® (darolutamide) plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) will be presented
Additional data include an analysis of the investigational Phase III PEACE III study of the first and only approved targeted alpha emitting radiopharmaceutical, XOFIGO® (radium-223 dichloride), that treats bone metastases in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
Safety and efficacy results for the investigational compound sevabertinib (BAY 2927088) in patients with advanced HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will also be showcased
Bayer will also present data from the Phase III OASIS-4 trial conducted outside of the U.S. of the investigational compound elinzanetant for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS, also known as hot flashes) caused by adjuvant endocrine therapy
The latest data from studies across Bayer's oncology and women's health portfolios will be presented at the upcoming 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, taking place in Chicago from May 30–June 3. These data underscore Bayer's commitment to advancing treatments across different stages of cancer and driving the development of healthcare treatments, including for prostate and lung cancer. This year's ASCO presence also underscores Bayer's long-standing commitment to addressing diverse needs in women's health.

The company will present post hoc analyses on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes with NUBEQA® (darolutamide) from the pivotal Phase III ARANOTE trial. Additional information will be presented from the investigational Phase III ARASTEP trial evaluating NUBEQA plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) compared to placebo plus ADT in patients with prostate cancer with high-risk biochemical recurrence (BCR).

NUBEQA is indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in combination with docetaxel and for the treatment of adult patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC).1

Presentations will also highlight post hoc analyses from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's (EORTC) Phase III PEACE III study evaluating the impact of the addition of six cycles of XOFIGO® (radium-223 dichloride), in combination with enzalutamide, on the time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) decline. Additionally, initial results from the Phase II COMRADE study investigating the use of XOFIGO and olaparib in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with bone metastases will be presented as an oral presentation. Investigator-initiated research will be presented on XOFIGO long-term safety outcomes in mCRPC from the Phase IV REASSURE study.

XOFIGO is indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease.2

In HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Bayer is presenting data from the ongoing SOHO-01 study, which is evaluating the safety and efficacy of sevabertinib (BAY 2927088) in patients with advanced HER2-mutant NSCLC who have been pretreated but naïve to HER2-targeted therapy or have not received any treatment for advanced disease. Sevabertinib is an investigational oral, small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) being evaluated as a potential new targeted therapy for patients with NSCLC harboring HER2-activating mutations.

Two sets of detailed data from the Phase III OASIS-4 trial of the investigational compound elinzanetant for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS, also known as hot flashes) in women undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy for the treatment or prevention of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer will be presented.

Women's health day 2025: 5 key insights into American women's health beliefs and behaviors

2025-05-19 - 2025-05

As the world prepares to mark the International Day of Action for Women's Health on May 28, new data from YouGov Profiles offers a detailed look at how women in the United States view and manage their health. From mental wellness and fitness tracking to diet and access to care, the findings highlight generational differences and ongoing challenges in how women approach their overall well-being.

1. Mental health

A large majority of women reject the idea that mental illnesses are not real (69%). Despite this consensus, perceptions of societal stigma remain mixed. Just under half of US women (49%) believe that stigmas around mental illness are declining, while a combined 33% disagree with that sentiment. Still, 89% of women agree it's important to talk about mental health.
2. Tracking health and fitness

When it comes to keeping track of health and fitness, US women are split. While 43% say that monitoring their fitness performance helps them set and stick to goals, another 41% disagree.

Technology use also reflects generational differences. Apps (28%) and wearable devices (27%) are the most commonly used tools for tracking health, especially among younger age groups. For example, over one-third of women aged 25–34 (37%) use apps, compared to just 18% of women aged 55 and older. Similarly, wearable usage is relatively steady among most age groups (25–29%) but drops slightly among the oldest group (25%).

Interestingly, nearly half of all women (47%) report not using any health or wellness tracking method. This rises to 56% among women 55 and older, compared to 36% of women aged 18–24.

3. Diet, appearance and health

More than half of American women say they are actively trying to lose weight (55%). However, appearance plays a complex role in motivation. Among all women, 31% agree that they diet and exercise more for appearance than for health. This sentiment is particularly strong among younger women, with 45% of 18–24-year-olds agreeing, compared to just 18% of those 55+.

At the same time, women show awareness of their eating habits: 50% agree that their diet is part of their fitness routine. About 42% also say they often choose diet or healthier versions of their favorite products, and this behavior is common across generations.
4. Medical reliance

When it comes to medical advice, two-thirds of women (61%) say they primarily rely on doctors to guide their health decisions, with this trust highest among women 55 and older (64%).

Additionally, digital healthcare is gaining some traction: 44% of women say they would prefer online consultations for convenience, though 41% still disagree — suggesting that face-to-face visits remain essential for many.

5. Healthcare policy

Health insurance availability remains a major concern in the US. Around three-quarters (75%) believe the federal government should ensure health insurance for all. However, a significant minority (13%) disagree. This division falls along generational lines. Younger women (84% of 18–24-year-olds and 77% of 25-34-year-olds) are much more likely to support government-backed healthcare, whereas around two-thirds of women over 55 years old agree (66%).

The Opportunity for Digital to Advance Women's Health: Q&A with Nicola Partridge

2025-05-19 - 2025-05

Digital technologies can play a key role in ensuring that women are properly represented in pharma research and development
Pharmaceutical Executive: In what ways does the female patient experience differ from those of men?
Nicola Partridge: Ensuring access to healthcare remains a critical challenge in the U.S., and particularly as it concerns addressing disparities in women's health. Research has shown a gap between the female patient experience compared to those of men. The term “women's health” is often misinterpreted as solely reproductive health, but it is not limited to fertility and encompasses more.

Today, 5% of disease states1 are considered specific to women, and the remaining 95% can manifest differently in women biologically. There are a variety of disease areas that over-index with women. According to Women's Health Access Matters, a more comprehensive overview of women's health should be inclusive of:
Exclusive conditions: While menopause and ovarian cancer are directly tied to reproductive health, they represent only a fraction of conditions affecting women overall. Menopause is a health milestone for billions worldwide. Some may also experience other health issues like cardiovascular disease or osteoporosis around or after menopause. Yet, there is a knowledge gap in menopause care, specifically the lack of education around the stages of a woman's life, including menopause and perimenopause, compromising access to appropriate and timely care.
Disproportionate conditions: Women account for approximately 80% of autoimmune disease patients2 and two thirds of Alzheimer's disease patients.3 Chronic pain prevalence is also higher among women than men.
Differential conditions: Even when experiencing the same conditions, symptoms, progression and outcomes vary by gender. Women are 50% more likely4 to die within a month following a heart attack than men, and non-smoking women are twice as likely5 to get lung cancer as non-smoking men.
Social and cultural factors:Evidence shows6 women often delay starting treatment after diagnosis, leading to detrimental health outcomes. Balancing their own health, family health and other priorities can lead to delays in care, which can manifest in real and potentially harmful ways. Within IQVIA's patient longitudinal data sets, there are several diseases where women over-index:
Major Depressive Disorder
Women make up 66% of active diagnoses but on average begin therapy 43.5 days after men.
Moderate-to-Severe Asthma
Women make up 62% of active diagnoses but on average begin therapy 24.4 days after men.
Mitral Regurgitation—a strong early indicator of heart failure if untreated
Women make up 61% but on average begin therapy a full two weeks after men.
To help close the women's health gap over time, there must be more attention paid to the specific conditions that affect this population. Additionally, there must be concerted approaches to personalized healthcare for the female population, such as considerations in treatment plans to best suit the biological and physiological differences between men and women. Technology can also be used to improve the overall patient experience, such as developing digital tools that cater to women and their specific health needs and changes throughout their lives.

Closing the Women's Health Gap

2025-05-15 - 2025-05

Women's health has long been overlooked in science and medicine—an oversight with serious consequences not just for women, but for public health as a whole. A 2024 McKinsey report found that women spend 25% more time in “poor health” compared to men, due, in part, to diagnostic delays, lack of tailored treatments and historic underinvestment in conditions that primarily or disproportionately affect women.

Woman hiker looking at beautiful nature

“We know that if we increase the health of women, we are increasing the health of our communities because women give birth to all of humanity,” said Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, Ph.D., professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix and Director of the Women's Health Research Program and Microbiome Initiative.

Herbst-Kralovetz, who will be speaking during a session at ASM Microbe 2025 about host-microbe interactions in the female reproductive tract and their implications for gynecologic health and cancer, is part of a growing wave of scientists working to close the women's health gap—through data, research and a deeper understanding of the vaginal microbiome.

Addressing Intersectionality in Women's Health: An Interview With Jessica Horwitz, MPH, FNP-C

2025-05-15 - 2025-05

How can public health professionals better address the intersectionality of women's health, considering the diverse experiences and unique challenges faced by women from various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and LGBTQ+ backgrounds?

I think that there is a way that, by addressing women's health, there's a unique opportunity to address intersexuality from the very start. I think that you sort of start with 50% of the population that experiences unfortunately, a lot of discrimination and sexism, and then you sort of break down the various intersectionalities of various subgroups within this population, and the health disparities just, unfortunately, get greater and greater.

Bringing this conversation into the fold and understanding that one women's experiences is not reflective of every woman's experience and how we actually use it as a way to lift all people up as an opportunity. Women have, historically, done this and have been at the forefront of really advocating and pushing for equality across the various sectors. This is an opportunity to do that in this week.

I think for health professionals, it's not enough to just provide good care for women if you're ignoring a lot of the impacts of health that go well beyond what someone's body organs are. I think at Tia, where I work, we work incredibly hard to ensure not just access of care, but equitable care in terms of health care outcomes, and to hold ourselves to a really size standard in terms of bringing people in of diverse backgrounds. I think there's an opportunity for health professionals across the board to make sure that their spaces are welcoming and affirming and that they bring people in around the table who can actually have lived experiences to help create what those experiences look for. I alone, no one else alone, can sort of single handedly create those. You have to bring the people that are often not around the table into the table to really change outcomes across the board.

In what specific ways can Tia Health and similar telehealth platforms address existing barriers to women's health care access, such as geographical limitations, time constraints, and the need for specialized care?

Tia Health has a interesting play that we provide hybrid care. We provide really comprehensive virtual care, and then have the privilege of having clinics and some core markets to be able to bring people into in-person care when they need it. Digital health, and virtual care, has an amazing way of reaching people that have largely been ignored in the health care system before, whether that is through geography, as you mentioned, around where they live, or their health issue that they have going on that may mean that they can't find an affirming provider based on where they live.

I think that where there's an interesting way that Tia, and other players that are similar to Tia, is actually bringing coordinated care together, as opposed to continuing to fragment the system even more. For too often, women have been sort of seen as their body parts. You might see a particular player for contraception, or you might see a particular player for menopause, or a particular player for your mental health, and that sort of ignores the reality that we are the collection of all of those parts together.

Tia in particular, leans heavily into this concept of coordinated care. How do we reach people where they are and recognize that there are vast deserts when it comes to health care access? Ideally, we look to find ways to take care of a woman's mental health as well as her UTI [urinary tract infection] as well as what's going on with menopause at the same time. When you do that, the health outcomes of the experiences, both in terms of the tangible outcomes that we measure, but also just the experience of how women feel held changes across the board. I would love to see sort of more digital players lean into coordinated health care experiences that care for the whole person.

Depoliticizing and Prioritizing Comprehensive Women's Health: Jessica Horwitz, MPH, FNP-C

2025-05-14 - 2025-05

Women's Health Week 2025 arrives at a time when discussions around women's health are highly politicized. How can Women's Health Week 2025 be leveraged as a platform to advocate for policies that support and expand access to comprehensive women's health care?

I think the thing that comes to mind mostly is how we can actually depoliticize this topic as it relates to women's health, and recognize that the issue of improving comprehensive care for women that enables women to live full, vibrant, healthy lives shouldn't be a political topic.

Too often, women's health is broken down into body parts or conditions, and sometimes those body parts being politicalized body parts. The reality is that's the thing that actually is going to level the playing field is bringing women's holistic picture of their health together to improve health outcomes. That's something that we can all universally align on across the political spectrum. What I would love to see is a removal of the politicalization and a move toward comprehensive care for women that actually keeps them healthy throughout their entire life.

As a mom of 3 daughters, as a person who has birthed 3 babies, and as a women's health professional, I feel like the fact that we are even including the pelvic floor and talking about it is a huge step in destigmatizing. The reality is, is all humans, regardless of sex or gender, have a pelvic floor. For too long, there has been sort of shame and stigma around what it means to address women's pelvic floor. The reality is, these are a group of muscles that are deeply responsible for a lot of our function and well-being, and so super cool, frankly, that this is the theme of this year's Women's Health Week.

I think that what it tells us is that there's a move to actually destigmatize all sorts of things in women's health that for too often have been stigmatized. We start to break down barriers by starting to normalize the conversation and if even one person feels seen and feels motivated to talk to their clinician, or talk to a therapist that they may know, because this is the theme of the week, that's a win.

It has the potential to have a lot more of a significant impact beyond the pelvic floor. I think as we start to normalize other stigmatized things related to, whether it's mental health or whether it's women's weight and body image, or all of these places that we've held too much angst and stigma, when we're all in this together.

Women's brain health and brain capital

2025-05-12 - 2025-05

Brain capital, broadly defined as a form of capital that prioritizes brain skills and brain health, is urgently required. Integrating social, emotional and cognitive brain resources is a great asset for a wealthy and healthy society. Nevertheless, there is little investment in women's brain health on a global scale. Women, on average, spend nine additional years in poor health compared with men, which hinders their participation in education, the workforce and society at large. This Perspective highlights the crucial intersection between investing in women's brain health and the concept of 'brain capital.' Here we argue that addressing the women's health gap could potentially increase the global economy by US $1 trillion in annual incremental gross domestic product. Furthermore, we hope this article will serve as a springboard to stimulate discussion and concrete stakeholder actions toward closing the women's brain health gap and will add to the growing discourse on sex- and gender-specific healthcare and its impact on global community well-being.

Message on National Women's Health Week, 2025

2025-05-13 - 2025-05

During National Women's Health Week, we promote and support the health and well-being of our Nation's mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, and friends.

From my first day in office, my Administration has worked to protect women and girls from gender extremism and has brought common sense and biological reality back to America. Moreover, the Make America Healthy Again Commission was established to address the root causes of our Nation's health crisis—from poor nutrition and chronic diseases to preventable conditions – issues impacting women across the nation. By advancing food transparency, promoting physical fitness, and restoring health education, we are working to give women, and all Americans, stronger futures and better quality of life.

My Administration is confronting the high cost of healthcare, which places a tremendous toll on American families. We are working to improve price transparency, stop surprise billing, and ensure patients have clear information about their coverage before receiving care. Historic steps have been taken to lower prescription drug prices, including capping the cost of insulin and expanding access to low-cost generics. By holding providers accountable and putting patients first, we are lowering costs, improving care delivery, and restoring fairness to the American healthcare system.

This week, we reaffirm our commitment to improve women's health so that they may live fuller and healthier lives, ensuring that all generations of American women thrive and continue to drive the success of our Nation.

Sybil Shainwald, lawyer and women's health activist, 1928-2025

2025-05-10 - 2025-05

When, in 1962, Sybil Shainwald applied for a place at Columbia University's law school she was roundly rebuffed. The dean said that admitting her would deprive a young man, who might have a 40-year career ahead of him, even though she was already undertaking a doctorate in history at the university and the two departments operated a joint PhD/JD programme. In fact, after finally graduating in law in her late forties, Shainwald, who has died just short of her 97th birthday, bested most of the men admitted in her stead in both longevity and impact, scoring a string of landmark victories over pharmaceutical companies on behalf of women who had been irreparably damaged by ill-tested drugs and devices. As Shainwald drily put it in an interview with Veteran Feminists of America to mark her 90th birthday: “Luckily, I’ve been practising for more than 40 years.” Anthony Crowell, dean of New York Law School which gave her the welcome she had been denied at Columbia and where she became a long-serving trustee, said right up to the final weeks of her life, “she was still getting calls from potential clients”. Raised in Brooklyn in 1928, Sybil Schwartz, as she was then, moved to Virginia at the age of 16 to attend college at William & Mary. The choice of an institution in a state so culturally dissonant with her home borough signalled a willingness to forge her own path that characterised the rest of her life, suggests Crowell: “She was somebody who understood how to very carefully but very, very successfully step out of bounds . . . and to shape a world that she could have great influence and success in.” After college she combined marriage and raising four children with a career, teaching in public schools and then working in the consumer movement. But after gaining her law degree through evening study at 48 — one of just seven women in a 169-strong class — she struggled to find a niche and had to join a firm unpaid. “I asked if I could take space at a law firm that had only hired men. They said ‘yes, we don’t usually do that, but we’ll do it for you’. And, of course, they called me sweetheart,” she recalled. A determination to challenge this power imbalance found expression in her work defending women harmed by the pharmaceutical industry. Shainwald believed it had frequently acted without any regard for safety, particularly in relation to contraceptive implants and devices. “We pay with our tax dollars for the research and with our lives for the results,” she told her interviewer. One battle concerned the Dalkon Shield, a cheap intrauterine device claimed to prevent pregnancy in women too “forgetful” to take the pill. In a speech in 2016, she said: “Nine months after marketing the device, the company first began a two-year baboon safety study. One in every eight baboons died, and 30 per cent suffered uterine perforation. The results were never made public.”
Her most significant triumphs concerned DES, a drug given to pregnant women to prevent miscarriage which turned out to be a carcinogen. She won a groundbreaking case against Eli Lilly on behalf of Joyce Bichler, who at the age of 17 had developed clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and had to have all her reproductive organs and most of her sex organs removed. Her mother had taken the drug. The men in her firm had been reluctant to take the case to trial, she recalled. It had “turned out to be the most important and pivotal case in the women’s health movement. It brought to light the callous nature of the pharmaceutical industry and is the most egregious example of the industry’s treatment of women”. Her advocacy, pursued over many years, on behalf of DES victims led to one of the achievements that she was most proud of: overturning in New York state a law that said under-21s could not bring cases. She was also instrumental in expanding the statute of limitations for women’s health cases in New York. Shanna Swan, a reproductive epidemiologist who acted as an expert witness in some of the cases she brought and became a close friend, said Shainwald was, first and foremost “a very ardent, passionate feminist”. This even extended to the art she amassed. “She always collected only art by women and of women,” Swan said. Despite the bitter battles she waged with the pharma industry over decades, Swan said she did not believe Shainwald ever felt daunted or afraid: “I don’t think much threatened Sybil, honestly — she was really tough. And she knew she was right.”

Women's health is a $1 trillion opportunity that demands greater investment

2025-05-05 - 2025-05

Investing in women's health enables us to unlock better outcomes, increase productivity and secure longer lives for half the world's population.
However, women's health has long been underrepresented and underinvested in, and is often deemed to be a niche space.
Women's health represents a $1 trillion annual opportunity for the global economy by 2040, potentially with multigenerational benefits.
Investing in women's health enables us to unlock better outcomes, increase productivity and secure longer lives for half the world's population. It therefore seems staggering that women's health, which has long been underrepresented and underinvested in, is so often described as being a niche space.

At the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, conversations around women's health steadily gained momentum throughout the week, building on successes from previous years. For example, the Forum's private session on 'Prioritizing Women's Health: Committing to a Better and More Prosperous Future' or even an event we hosted on the sidelines of the official Forum programme at Goals House on Healthcare: Building Sustainable Futures through Automation & AI’, where women’s health featured heavily.

During the women's health events at Davos that I was fortunate enough to be a part of, there was a central thread: women's health may finally be gaining recognition, but recognition alone will not drive change; investment will.

Black Book Research Celebrates Women's Health Month With Complimentary Release of Comprehensive 2025 Industry Report on Women's Health IT Innovations

2025-05-07 - 2025-05

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 7, 2025 (Newswire.com) - In recognition of Women's Health Month, Black Book Research announces the release of its authoritative 2025 report, the Black Book of Women's Health Information Technology and Software Innovations. Offered as a no-fee resource to industry stakeholders, this extensive analysis evaluates the leading and most innovative women's health IT solutions based on independent assessments from users, healthcare providers, payers, and industry professionals.

The comprehensive report ranks top-performing vendors across 40 distinct women's health technology categories, assessed through 18 rigorous key performance indicators (KPIs), including user experience, clinical effectiveness, interoperability, patient engagement, and predictive analytics.

"Women's health is witnessing unprecedented innovation and investment, yet clarity around which technologies deliver real-world value remains crucial," said Doug Brown, Founder of Black Book Research. "By releasing this report during Women's Health Month, we aim to provide transparency and informed insights, empowering healthcare organizations to make strategic decisions that ultimately enhance patient care without commercial bias."

The 2025 Black Book study covers more than 300 vendors, highlighting those that stakeholders identify as transformative in addressing critical health challenges including fertility, maternal health, menopause management, virtual OB-GYN ecosystems, and health equity solutions.

Webinar on Women Health

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