#ReproductiveHealth

A groundbreaking new study has challenged decades-old assumptions about men’s sexual health, showing that even slightly elevated blood sugar—well below diabetic levels—can significantly impair sexual function and sperm mobility. The findings, which upend the notion that age or testosterone alone drive male sexual decline, have special implications for Thai men amid rising rates of metabolic disorder and changing lifestyles nationwide.

For years, it was widely believed that reduced libido, erectile challenges, and compromised sperm quality in men naturally came with aging or declining testosterone. However, the international team led by physicians at University Hospital in Münster, Germany, has demonstrated that subtle metabolic changes—marked primarily by the HbA1c blood sugar test—correlate far more closely with sexual health decline than either age or testosterone levelsScience Daily. The study, known as FAME 2.0, followed nearly 200 healthy men aged 18-85 in a rigorous six-year analysis ending in 2020, excluding any participants with diabetes, heart disease, or cancer to isolate the effects of modest (pre-diabetic) blood sugar elevation.

A growing body of research highlights that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can have profound and often overlooked effects on sexual health and intimate relationships, affecting millions of women globally — including many in Thailand. Experts are calling for a more holistic approach to PCOS care, integrating medical treatment, psychological support, and open dialogue between partners to address these sensitive challenges.

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder marked by irregular menstrual cycles, increased levels of androgens (male hormones), and cysts on the ovaries. While much focus has traditionally been given to its physical symptoms — such as menstrual irregularity, acne, and unwanted hair growth — a recent report from the Indian Express draws attention to the significant and often hidden burdens that PCOS places on a woman’s sex life and emotional well-being (Indian Express).

A recent incident has ignited considerable public discussion about empathy, etiquette, and the complexity of family dynamics after a woman walked out of a baby shower she had organized, following an insensitive joke from the expectant mother referencing the host’s struggles with infertility. The story, originating from an online forum and reported by Yahoo Lifestyle, has since garnered widespread attention, highlighting the profound emotional impact of infertility and the importance of sensitivity in social interactions.

Recent research and personal accounts are challenging traditional beliefs about the “ideal” age for motherhood, as more women worldwide are choosing to start families in their late 30s and early 40s—or, as in a widely shared feature from Business Insider, reflecting on the joys and obstacles of becoming a parent at 37 and 40. This trend, evident in Thailand and globally, is driven by evolving economic, social, and healthcare realities, reshaping the narrative on family planning, women’s health, and the definition of the “right time” for parenthood.

Tiny plastic particles, no wider than a human hair, have made their way into an alarming new corner of human biology: the fluids surrounding eggs in women and sperm in men. The latest research, unveiled at the 2025 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference and published in the journal Human Reproduction, provides the clearest evidence yet of microplastics’ persistent ability to infiltrate the most sensitive aspects of our bodies—raising serious questions about fertility, long-term health, and the true cost of our reliance on plastics (Earth.com; CNN).

The struggle to access contraception in the United States has become more difficult in recent years, prompting advocates in New York to devise novel solutions such as vending machines dispensing Plan B pills and other over-the-counter products on university campuses. As the national landscape of reproductive rights continues to shift—especially in the wake of clinic closures and new legal hurdles—New York’s approach offers fresh hope and urgent lessons for other regions, including Thailand, where access to reproductive healthcare is an ongoing concern.

A recent study has detected microplastics in the reproductive fluids of both men and women, sparking global discussion about the potential consequences for fertility and reproductive health. Presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), this research represents one of the first times microplastic contamination has been systematically documented in ovarian follicular fluid and semen, shifting the spotlight from environmental and dietary exposure toward intimate human biological systems. The findings urge both the scientific community and the public to reflect on the far-reaching impact of plastic pollution and what it could mean for future generations, including here in Thailand.

A sweeping review of over 150 scientific publications spanning nearly three decades has spotlighted critical gaps in how men’s involvement in family planning is understood and studied across 23 African nations. The research, led by a team of demographers, reproductive health experts, and population scientists, raises fresh questions about how health systems worldwide—including in Thailand—should rethink the role of men in shaping reproductive choices and outcomes. The findings suggest that involving men meaningfully in family planning discussions and programmes is not only essential for gender equity but also for the long-term success of reproductive health initiatives (The Conversation).

A wave of new research is overturning long-held beliefs about the ovary, showing it as more than just a reproductive organ. Scientists now argue that the ovary plays a central, underappreciated role in shaping women’s overall health and longevity, influencing everything from cardiovascular and bone health to brain function and life expectancy. As groundbreaking findings emerge, experts are calling for greater focus on this overlooked organ—a call that carries important implications for Thai women across the lifespan.

Emerging research findings, highlighted during World Infertility Awareness Month and recently reported by ABC News, have thrust male infertility into the public spotlight, identifying five modifiable lifestyle factors that could be quietly undermining men’s reproductive health. As families across Thailand increasingly seek answers to fertility challenges, these latest insights carry crucial implications both for personal wellness and for future generations.

Although infertility discussions often focus on women, specialists estimate that male factors significantly contribute to around a third of all cases worldwide (ABC News). “When we think about fertility, there’s a lot of focus placed on females,” noted an ABC medical contributor. “But male issues can include problems with sperm volume or quality, congenital obstructions, infections, and various underlying medical conditions.” With nearly 186 million people globally affected by infertility—half of whom face male-related issues—the urgency of understanding male-specific risks has never been greater (Tesarik, 2025; Amoah et al., 2025; WHO 2025).

A growing body of research is shining a spotlight on so-called “superfoods”—such as honey, oysters, watermelon, ginger, and ginseng—for their potential benefits to male sexual health and fertility. According to a recent biochemical review published in the journal Current Research in Food Science, these foods may promote testosterone production, sperm quality, and erectile function, providing a natural alternative to pharmaceutical treatments and bringing renewed hope for men seeking to enhance their reproductive well-being (Physicians Weekly).

A dramatic new wave of research suggests global fertility rates are in unprecedented decline, with millions of people around the world struggling to have the number of children they desire—often not because of changing attitudes, but because of mounting social and economic obstacles. Recent studies—including a large survey conducted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)—show that in both high- and middle-income countries, including Thailand, the costs of parenthood, job insecurity, insufficient welfare support, environmental anxieties, and evolving cultural priorities are driving birth rates to historic lows Time, BBC, Al Jazeera.

Sperm, the key driver of human reproduction, has fascinated scientists for almost 350 years—yet much about this microscopic “explorer” remains tantalisingly unclear and continues to confound researchers even today. Despite their crucial role in the survival of humanity, recent research reveals that sperm is far more mysterious and complex than once believed, leaving many fundamental questions unanswered and opening new frontiers for scientific inquiry.

For Thai readers, whose concerns span from personal fertility to national demographic trends, the continuing enigma of sperm research is not just a matter for scientific curiosity—it touches on health, society, and the future wellbeing of families across the nation. The paradox is striking: even as advances have been made in reproductive technologies such as IVF and fertility treatments, global evidence indicates that sperm counts are on a worrying decline, and male infertility remains unexplained in the majority of cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023).

A new population-based study has revealed a strong link between colorectal cancer (CRC) in women and a wide range of adverse sexual and reproductive health conditions, with the risks most pronounced among women diagnosed before the age of 40. The research, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on June 1, underscores the need for greater awareness and comprehensive post-cancer care for female CRC survivors—a topic that has often been overlooked in Thailand and worldwide.

A growing number of Thai women are choosing to skip their periods for months or even years by using birth control methods designed for continuous use. According to the latest research and interviews with leading reproductive health experts, forgoing menstruation in this way is both safe and effective—a message that stands in contrast to widespread myths circulating on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook. As misinformation about hormonal contraceptives proliferates online, the scientific consensus is clear: medically supervised continuous birth control poses no long-term health risks and does not cause infertility.

A groundbreaking 2024 study published in Nature’s Digital Medicine Journal has found that patterns in resting heart rate and heart rate variability, measured by wearable devices such as Whoop trackers, may reveal important insights into female reproductive health. Conducted with data from over 11,500 users worldwide, this research is among the largest and most comprehensive to date exploring the connections between cardiovascular metrics and menstrual cycles, potentially paving the way for more accessible health monitoring for women everywhere, including Thailand.

A groundbreaking new study has found that men with better semen quality—particularly higher counts of motile (moving) sperm—may live two to three years longer than their peers with poor semen quality, offering an unexpected connection between male reproductive health and overall lifespan. The research, published recently in Human Reproduction and led by a team at Copenhagen University Hospital, marks the largest-ever exploration of the relationship between semen parameters and all-cause mortality among men, bringing attention to an overlooked marker of men’s health with broad implications, including for Thai men navigating lifestyle and healthcare choices (News-Medical.net).

A newly published research study has shed light on the challenges faced by high school students regarding reproductive health knowledge in Ethiopia’s Boke district, with the findings sparking discussion about what Thai educators and policymakers can learn from the global context of adolescent health education. The study, titled “Reproductive Health Literacy and Associated Factors Among High School Adolescents in Boke District, Eastern Ethiopia” and published in the Advances in Public Health journal, reveals that many teens still lack fundamental understanding of sexual health, where to access care, and how to protect themselves from preventable risks (source).

Recent claims circulating online have suggested that certain herbal teas can cure a range of women’s reproductive health problems, drawing urgent attention from health experts and fact-checkers. A recent fact-checking report by Thip Media has put these claims under the microscope, scrutinizing both traditional beliefs and scientific evidence. The significance of this assessment is far-reaching, especially for Thai women in search of safe and effective remedies for reproductive health concerns.

Women’s reproductive health is a subject filled with long-standing traditional practices in Thailand, where herbal remedies such as ginger, turmeric, and specific “ya dong” infusions are widely popular. Yet, the allure of natural, “miraculous” solutions must be held up against current medical understanding. The recent fact-check published by Thip Media addresses viral social media posts that promote herbal teas as cures for infertility, menstrual irregularities, and even serious conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Fears of humanity’s extinction may sound far-fetched, but scientists are warning that global birth rates are falling so fast, some populations could eventually disappear unless women have more children. According to recent research synthesized by experts and highlighted in a much-discussed feature on population trends, the world could see dozens of countries’ populations shrinking by 2100 due to persistently low fertility rates—a phenomenon with profound implications for economies, societies, and the future of human civilization itself (Daily Mail).

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has called for $1.4 billion in emergency funding to address critical sexual and reproductive health needs for more than 45 million people living in crisis-hit regions worldwide. With a record 122.6 million people displaced by conflict and disaster over the past year, the appeal underscores the urgent health and protection challenges facing women and girls in humanitarian contexts, where the risks of pregnancy complications and gender-based violence are drastically heightened UN News.

For many women, a bit of cramping or an abnormal discharge is often dismissed as nothing more than “just another bad period” or a routine infection. However, recent medical research warns that these subtle symptoms could, in fact, be the body’s urgent distress call about a condition far more severe than it appears: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Frequently ignored and frequently misunderstood, PID represents a significant, silent threat to fertility—a risk that is often only discovered when women try to conceive, sometimes years after the initial, nearly invisible damage has been done. In the United States alone, more than one million women are estimated to be affected by PID each year, making it one of the leading causes of preventable infertility (Rolling Out).

A new online initiative out of Syracuse, New York, is quietly transforming the way adolescents seek answers about sexual health—ushering in a digital age of confidential support. “Layla’s Got You,” a Syracuse-based website, harnesses the power of chatbot technology to help teens, particularly Black and Latina young women, find accessible, judgment-free information on sex, pregnancy, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases. Launched in 2019 under the direction of the women’s health and empowerment director at the Allyn Family Foundation, this pioneering tool is quickly becoming a vital companion for U.S. teens hesitant to ask sensitive questions elsewhere.

A recent survey from England has found that one in four women experience serious reproductive health problems, laying bare the widespread and persistent challenges faced by women when accessing and managing reproductive healthcare. The findings highlight a critical public health issue with far-reaching social, economic, and policy implications, both in England and globally.

Reproductive health is central to the wellbeing of women and families, impacting everything from education and workforce participation to mental health and long-term quality of life. In Thailand, where women’s health is often influenced by social norms, limited resources in rural areas, and sometimes restrictive attitudes toward reproductive education, these revelations from England serve as a compelling reminder of issues that transcend national boundaries.