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Health News

Women's Natural Scent Most Attractive to Men

Male hormonal response strongest during female ovulation, study finds

MONDAY, Jan. 18 Women who want to attract a man's attention shouldn't wear perfume, new research suggests.

Florida State University psychological scientists Saul L. Miller and Jon K. Maner found that male testosterone levels are influenced... Read the full article

Health Agencies Express Concern Over BPA

HHS, FDA pledge funds for more research on the common plastics chemical

FRIDAY, Jan. 15 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other U.S. health agencies are pledging $30 million toward short- and long-term research aimed at clarifying the health effects of the plastics chemical bisphenol A (BPA).

The chemical is ubiquitous in plastic... Read the full article

The Pill May Decrease Bone Density

Long-term use of low-dose versions affect women most, study finds

FRIDAY, Jan. 15 Oral contraception may decrease bone density in young women, a new study suggests.

Those taking birth control pills for more than two years, and those on the low-dose estrogen pills appear to have the greatest risk of decreased bone density in the spi... Read the full article

Restless Legs Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

But it's not clear how the two disorders are connected, researchers say

TUESDAY, Jan. 5 Men with restless leg syndrome are more likely to have erectile dysfunction, new research suggests, but it's not clear how the two conditions are related.

"There is an association, but we don't know which one comes first," said study author Dr. Xiang ... Read the full article

For Baby and Mom Alike, Breast-Feeding May Be Best

Experts explore the why and wherefore of method's benefits

SUNDAY, Jan. 3 Reports on the benefits of breast-feeding continue to accumulate as researchers evaluate the breast-over-bottle option.

It's been shown to help a baby's later performance in school, to reduce the odds of problem behavior and to help kids cope with stre... Read the full article

Half of Men Fail to Check if Vasectomy is Working

Doctors routinely ask that men come back to ensure effectiveness, but many don't, study finds

MONDAY, Dec. 28 Nearly half of men who get vasectomies don't return for follow-up tests that make sure the procedure is working, new research suggests.

Those who don't go back, and therefore risk an unwanted pregnancy, are more likely to ... Read the full article

Many Women Quit Breast-Feeding Early

Insufficient maternity leave poses a significant barrier, experts say

SUNDAY, Dec. 27 Though a growing percentage of American moms start their infants on human milk, relatively few continue breast-feeding for the baby's first six months of life, let alone an entire year.

Why not stick it out longer? Numerous obstacles can prove diffic... Read the full article

Health Tip: Breast-feeding With Diabetes

You'll burn more calories

Following pregnancy, diabetic women need to continue careful monitoring of their blood glucose levels as their bodies adjust to postpartum hormonal changes, disturbed sleep and other changes in the daily routine.

The American Diabetes Association says breast-feeding... Read the full article

Contraceptive Depo-Provera May Weaken Bones

Nearly half of women in study lost bone mass within two years

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23 In a study of women who received the "birth control shot" -- also known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera), nearly half lost at least 5 percent of their bone mineral density in the hip and lower spine within two y... Read the full article

The 'Pill' Offers Benefits Beyond Birth Control

Relief of menstrual pain, migraines and acne may be other reasons to prescribe, experts say

TUESDAY, Dec. 22 Along with preventing pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives also treat menstruation-related disorders such as severe menstrual pain and heavy menstrual bleeding, according to a new Practice Bulletin issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist... Read the full article

Breast-Feeding May Protect a Woman's Heart

Arteries appear to be less clogged in those who nurse infants, study finds

MONDAY, Dec. 21 Although many women choose to breast-feed because of the numerous health benefits it offers their offspring, new research suggests that breast-feeding may also help the health of the mothers' hearts later in life.

In a study of nearly 300 women, rese... Read the full article

Health Tip: These Symptoms May Indicate Uterine Fibroids

See your doctor if you have them

Uterine fibroids are growths that form inside a woman's uterus. Though they're not cancerous, they can cause pain and other symptoms.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says the following warning signs may indicate uterine fibroids: ... Read the full article

Mouth Area Wrinkles More in Women Than Men

Dermatologists discover gender differences that explain the aging inequity

THURSDAY, Dec. 17 Dermatologists have discovered yet another gender inequity: Women develop more and deeper wrinkles around their mouths as they age than men do.

The disadvantage had long been suspected, but a new study provides "irrefutab... Read the full article

Wider Adult Screening May Mean Fewer Children With Cystic Fibrosis

Incidence fell in area where all couples of reproductive age were evaluated, Italian study found

TUESDAY, Dec. 14 The number of children born with cystic fibrosis decreases when screening for potential parents who might be CF mutation carriers increases, a new study finds.

CF neonatal screening has been conducted in an area of northeast Italy for many years. Sin... Read the full article

Breast Growth in Boys Might Be Linked to Plastics Chemical

But it's still too early to say that phthalates actually cause the condition, experts say

TUESDAY, Dec. 15 Common chemicals found in plastic toys and elsewhere could contribute to the abnormal growth of breasts in boys, preliminary research suggests.

The research, published in a prominent medical journal for pediatricians, adds fuel to the debate over th... Read the full article