Children’s social care involvement common to nearly third of UK mums who died during perinatal period

They were at heightened risk of dying from psychiatric causes and being murdered Uncoordinated appointment schedules added to the many disadvantages they already faced Changes to maternity care practice and policy now urgently required, say researchers The involvement of children’s social care services was a common factor in nearly a ...

2025-07-11T09:12:28+00:0011 July 2025|BMJ Medicine, Press release|

Women 65+ still at heightened risk of cervical cancer caused by HPV

But screening usually discontinued for them if previous smear tests normal Global incidence rising in this age group; rethink of guideline recommendations needed Women aged 65 and above are still at heightened risk of cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), suggest the findings of a large observational study published ...

Prolonged use of desogestrel pill linked to small increased brain tumour risk

Although risk much lower than some other progestogens and disappeared one year after stopping treatment Taking the progestogen-only contraceptive pill desogestrel continuously for more than five years is associated with a small increased risk of developing a type of brain tumour called an intracranial meningioma, finds a study from France ...

2025-06-12T10:53:44+00:0012 June 2025|Press release, The BMJ|

Women non-smokers still around 50% more likely than men to develop COPD

Findings challenge idea that heightened vulnerability to cigarette smoke is to blame Women’ are around 50% more likely than men to develop COPD, the umbrella term for chronic lung conditions, such as emphysema and bronchitis, even if they have never smoked or smoked much less than their male counterparts, suggests ...

Raising awareness of a rare but serious risk linked to menstrual cup use

When Dr Clara Maarup Prip, a urologist and gynaecologist at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, encountered a rare case of ureterohydronephrosis caused by a menstrual cup, she’d never seen anything like it. Nor had her supervisor, or any other senior doctors in the urology department. Ureterohydronephrosis is the swelling of the ureter ...

2025-06-26T10:06:10+00:0030 April 2025|BMJ Case Reports, Group news, Our impact|

New mums advised to do two hours of moderate to vigorous exercise a week

Daily pelvic floor muscle training also strongly recommended Following this new guideline is likely to result in large improvements in maternal and infant health and well-being, say experts New mums should be strongly encouraged to begin clocking up at least two hours of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity such ...

Global 130%+ rise in postmenopausal osteoarthritis and associated disability over past 3 decades

Fastest growth in East Asia and high-income Asia Pacific countries Excess weight accounted for 20% of total years lived with resulting disability globally The global number of cases of osteoarthritis, as well the disability associated with the condition, have risen by more than 130% over the past 3 decades among ...

2025-03-05T10:00:47+00:005 March 2025|BMJ Global Health, Press release|

UK Armed Forces servicewomen face unique set of hurdles for abortion access/care

As well as stigma and judgmental attitudes from senior (usually male) colleagues More information and policy on abortion care needed for service personnel and clinicians UK Armed Forces servicewomen needing an abortion face a unique set of hurdles around access and care, as well as stigma and judgemental attitudes from ...

2025-02-26T10:17:51+00:0026 February 2025|BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, Press release|

Common gynaecological disorders linked to raised heart and vascular disease risk

They include polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, heavy or irregular periods  Having one or more common gynaecological disorders, such as endometriosis or heavy or irregular periods, may be linked to a heightened risk of heart disease and conditions that affect blood flow to the brain (cerebrovascular disease), finds a pooled data ...

2025-02-25T17:44:41+00:0025 February 2025|Heart, Press release|

New study adds to evidence of stroke and heart attack risk with some hormonal contraceptives

Absolute risk remains low but should be considered when prescribing these products, say researchers Certain hormonal contraceptives are associated with a higher stroke and heart attack risk, finds a large study from Denmark in The BMJ today that draws on prescription records to give more precise estimates for different products than previous ...

2025-02-13T09:59:17+00:0013 February 2025|Press release, The BMJ|
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