Although only a few weeks into summer, reproductive health has been no stranger to the newswire and popular culture. Personal testimony is at the forefront of many of the headlines, drawing attention to the lived experience of being a menstruator and having a vagina.
Photo by Laura Wershler
- PCOS will now be known as metabolic reproductive syndrome. The name change comes after years of deliberation between doctors and women regarding the endocrine system disorder. The name change hopes to clear up confusion regarding the disorder, treatment plans and research.
- “Not all women have periods. Not all who have period are women.” In an open letter to the transgendered community, RubyCup apologizes for their oversight in their most recent survey.
- Earlier this year, period pain was cited as being “almost as bad” as having a heart attack, and yet little innovation has occurred within the field of menstrual pain management… until now. As reported in ScienceAlert, University of California researchers have identified the protein, hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) as a marker for menstrual pain and PMS. In their study of almost 3,000 participants, they found that women with higher levels of hs-CRP experienced more extreme symptoms than those with lower levels. Why? It’s all about inflammation. To quote from the article by Fiona Macdonald:
“Premenstrual mood symptoms, abdominal cramps/back pain, appetite cravings/weight gain/bloating, and breast pain – but not headache – appear to be significantly and positively related to elevated hs-CRP levels, a biomarker of inflammation, although with modestly strong associations, even after adjustment for multiple confounding variables,” the researchers report in the Journal of Women’s Health.
By finding a biological measure for period pain and PMS symptoms, the hope is that better treatment options will be made available. For starters, why not try an anti-inflammatory diet?
- Maya Rudolph’s Vajingle for Seventh Generation adds to the already trending #ComeClean campaign led by Women’s Voices of the Earth. The jingle notes the importance of caring for one’s vagina by pinpointing the chemicals found in traditional feminine hygiene products and encourages menstruators to switch to better products or products with natural ingredients.
- Have a story to share about your uterus? You are not alone. Inspired by her own relationship to her uterus, Abby Norman created, Ask Me About My Uterus. The website features real-life interviews from all walks of life centered on experiences one has with their uterus, including endometriosis, miscarriage and of course, periods.
- This week on Twitter, the #pantychallenge went viral, but not in the way it was intended. What started as one woman’s Facebook post about her “clean panties” has spurred a much-needed conversation about vaginal discharge. Yes, vaginal discharge does exist and thanks to the #pantychallenge, helpful advice for what is and is not healthy discharge is trending.
- Natasha Fogarty’s breastfeeding photo shoot is catching headlines. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, just three months after having her son, Natasha mourns the loss of her left breast through a beautiful photomontage of her last moments of breastfeeding.
- Gourmet coffee, lounge chairs, yoga classes… more and more workspaces are co-opting amenities to suit most every need, why not provide co-working spaces with menstrual products?
- Turns out women do know what they want. While levels of testosterone have been used as a marker to measure female sexual desire, new research suggests that hormones play little, if no part when it comes to desire.
- Researchers in Italy have identified a link between an obscure virus, HHV-6A and infertility. While herpes viruses have been found to contribute to male infertility, HHV-6A is the first virus to be linked to female infertility. While more research is needed, the virus is transferred through saliva, kissing, and replicates in the salivary glands.
- Access to menstrual products is a fundamental right and one that is finally getting the attention it deserves. Menstrual equity legislation made history in New York with proposed bills that will offer free tampons and pads in public schools, shelters and jails. While a step in the right direction, ensuring quality products are made available is key. For female inmates, access to menstrual products is limiting and even when available, the options and space to care for ones period are limiting.
- Curious about who makes up the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research (SMCR)? Check out the latest member profile blog posts on Menstruation Matters. Share your own research and join the conversation by becoming a member.
