Weight-bearing exercise in youth pays off later

December 30, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who participated in weight-bearing sports during their teens, the formative years for bone growth, have stronger bones after menopause than women who participated in lighter activities during their youth.

High insulin levels may increase breast cancer risk

December 30, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Data from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study show that higher than normal insulin levels are an independent risk factor for breast cancer.

Magazines show cosmetic surgery's emotional "lift"

December 24, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A survey of popular women's magazines suggests articles tend to portray cosmetic surgery as an empowering option for improving women's emotional health and physical appearance, despite the lack of scientific consensus that cosmetic surgery boosts emotional health.

Abused moms seek more medical care for infants

December 24, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who are the victims of domestic abuse tend to take their infants to the doctor more often than other mothers do, a new study finds.

Body image may influence pregnancy weight gain

December 23, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women's perceptions of their bodies may sway their risk of excessive weight gain during pregnancy, a new study suggests.

Myanmar mothers have poor access to healthcare

December 23, 2008 — HONG KONG (Reuters Life!) - Access to maternal healthcare in eastern Myanmar is inadequate and most expectant mothers suffer from poor nutrition, anaemia and malaria, raising the risk of pregnancy complications, researchers said.

US issues controversial abortion "conscience" rule

December 18, 2008 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government published a rule on Thursday that it defined as protecting the conscience of health care workers but which opponents call a thinly veiled attempt to deny legal abortion and contraception services to women.

More exercise may prevent diabetes in black women

December 18, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Taking a walk instead of turning on the TV may help African-American women lower their risk of type 2 diabetes, a large study suggests.

Severe pre-pregnancy stress tied to preterm birth

December 17, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who suffer the stress of a death or serious illness of a loved one shortly before becoming pregnant may have an increased risk of premature delivery, a large study suggests.

Fruits, veggies slash breast cancer risk: U.S. study

December 16, 2008 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Certain breast cancer survivors who load up on fruits and vegetables, eating far more than current U.S. guidelines, can slash the risk that the tumors will come back by nearly a third, according to a U.S. study released on Monday.

A few drinks a week may slow women's brain decline

December 11, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society provides more evidence that moderate drinking may be good for older women's brains.

Baby girl born from full ovary transplant

December 11, 2008 — BOSTON (Reuters) - Doctors in St. Louis said they have successfully transplanted a full ovary from a volunteer, allowing her infertile twin sister to give birth to a healthy baby girl on November 11.

Alcohol linked with irregular heartbeat in women

December 2, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Consuming two or more alcoholic beverages per day may slightly increase the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat , also referred to as atrial fibrillation, in women, according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Fibroid growth differs in black and white women

December 1, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Differences in the growth of fibroid tumors may explain why black women typically have more symptoms than white women, according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Tamoxifen easier on the brain than thought: study

November 27, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Concern that treatment with tamoxifen and other "anti-estrogen" therapies in women with breast cancer may contribute to compromised brain function does not appear to be warranted, at least over the short term, according to a report in the medical journal Cancer.