#WomenHealth

A pioneering study published in July 2025 has found that women tend to experience a sharp decline in anger as they reach and move through midlife, challenging common assumptions about mood instability and emotional health during menopause. This research, featured in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society, provides new insights that could reshape how Thai women understand their own emotional trajectories as they age, and how healthcare providers support them through the menopause transition.

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).

For many Thai runners and fitness enthusiasts, the thrill of crossing a finish line can be dampened by an awkward, often embarrassing problem: urine leakage during strenuous activity. Recent international research and expert commentary reveal that “peeing your pants” while running is not only common, it’s a growing topic of open discussion and scientific scrutiny—which matters deeply in Thailand’s increasingly active, health-conscious society.

Urinary leakage during running, officially termed stress urinary incontinence (SUI), occurs when physical activity or exertion—like running or even a forceful cough—puts extra pressure on the bladder, leading to involuntary urine loss. This condition affects runners of all ages and backgrounds, but is reported most frequently among women, particularly those participating in high-impact sports. As the Thai running scene continues to boom, from Bangkok’s major marathons to local park joggers, understanding this phenomenon has fresh and profound relevance (Deseret News, MSN Health, RUN | Powered by Outside).

A growing body of research sheds new light on pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), a health condition now recognized as impacting up to half of all women at some point in their lives. According to a recent report in The Conversation, PFD is not only common after pregnancy and childbirth but is increasingly affecting physically active women and is a more significant issue than previously believed (The Conversation). This revelation prompts vital questions for Thai readers about prevention, early detection, and the importance of pelvic health for daily life and wellbeing.

As debates about reproductive rights continue to escalate worldwide, a new wave of research and policy analysis has spotlighted misoprostol—an abortion pill that has transformed safe abortion access in countries with restrictive laws and limited access to healthcare. Originally introduced as an ulcer medication, misoprostol is now at the heart of struggles for reproductive autonomy across the globe, including in Brazil, the United States, and increasingly, Thailand. The ongoing worldwide conversation about this medication is not just about clinical guidelines, but also about access, stigma, and the right to information—issues profoundly resonant for Thai society.

A recent international meta-analysis has shaken perceptions about wine and health, revealing that white wine—long believed by some to be a “lighter,” lower-risk alcohol choice—may increase the risk of skin cancer, particularly for women. While both red and white wine are forms of alcohol known to elevate cancer risk overall, white wine has now been shown to carry specific risks that have not been widely recognized, according to a sweeping 2025 review by scientists at Brown University and corroborated by several other reputable research institutions (Brown University report, MDPI meta-analysis, News-Medical).

Drinking a daily cup of coffee may do more than provide a morning pick-me-up—it could help women stay mentally sharp and physically robust as they age, according to a landmark 30-year study that followed nearly 50,000 women in their midlife years. The research, which stands out for its unprecedented scale and scope, found that women who consumed regular, caffeinated coffee were significantly more likely to age without developing serious diseases, cognitive decline, depression, or physical frailty. This discovery offers fresh hope to coffee lovers in Thailand and beyond, while also urging a more nuanced look at the relationship between genetics and nutrition as Thais seek to promote healthy aging in an era of rapid demographic change.

In a world seeking harmony between old and new, few symbols encapsulate the power and enigma of Thai traditional medicine as compellingly as ยาเลือดงาม (Yaa Luead Ngam). Revered for generations as a remedy to “embellish the blood,” support women’s health, and restore inner balance, this time-honored herbal concoction is at once a cultural heirloom and a subject of growing scientific curiosity. As modern research begins to unravel the chemistry beneath its folkloric reputation, Yaa Luead Ngam is taking center stage in a fascinating conversation between ancient wisdom and contemporary evidence.

Pelvic floor health—once a neglected topic in both medical curricula and public awareness—is in the spotlight again as leading physicians urge a rethink of common misconceptions. According to recent insights from international specialists, as highlighted in a May 2025 report from The Guardian, the pelvic floor’s crucial role in a wide spectrum of physical wellbeing is too often misunderstood by both patients and practitioners, potentially leaving millions—including Thais of all ages—in the dark about effective prevention and care strategies (The Guardian).

A prominent gynaecologist in southern China has captured widespread attention—and sparked a lively online debate—with an unconventional approach to women’s health: he recently recommended that women suffering from low energy and stress should look at muscular men as a form of visual therapy to enhance mood and relieve stress, according to a report by MoneyControl and other regional news outlets (MoneyControl, NDTV, South China Morning Post).

The doctor’s advice, delivered with a mix of humor and seriousness in a recent viral video, comes at a time when mental health and stress management are dominating public discourse—both globally and in Thailand. For Thai readers contending with high rates of workplace stress, urban fatigue, and the pressure to maintain “phu-ying suay” (female beauty and poise), any new approach to boosting well-being is bound to pique curiosity.

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.

As menopause brings a wave of physical and emotional changes, a new guide from health experts outlines the top seven exercises to help women navigate this life stage with confidence and vitality. Drawing on the expertise of menopause fitness coaches and recent research, these recommended movements offer practical ways for Thai women to manage symptoms, boost bone and muscle strength, and protect long-term health (Tom’s Guide).

For many Thai women, menopause marks both an end and a new beginning — an often-misunderstood transition that can bring hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood swings, weight gain, and diminished muscle and bone density. While these changes can feel overwhelming, studies consistently show that exercise is one of the most effective tools for symptom relief and overall empowerment (Journal of Women’s Health).

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that women gain more substantial mortality and cardiovascular benefits from exercise compared to men—and can do so with less time spent working out. This research, published in 2024 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, sheds new light on how physical activity impacts health differently based on sex, prompting calls for women in Thailand and worldwide to make exercise a non-negotiable part of daily life.

A recent call by leading oncologists highlights an often-overlooked aspect of cancer care: the unaddressed and persistent sexual side effects experienced by many survivors, particularly women. Despite advances in cancer treatment and survival rates, distressing symptoms such as chronic vaginal pain and painful intercourse continue to affect the quality of life for thousands, including those whose cancers are considered imminently curable. This troubling issue has come into new focus following a commentary in The Guardian by a prominent oncologist, who detailed the story of a patient whose curable cancer left her suffering years of sexual pain due to lack of adequate aftercare and frank communication.

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).

New research and commentary have intensified calls for urgent action to protect reproductive health data, as recent legal cases in the United States and rapid growth of health-tracking technology expose gaps in data privacy protections with potential global implications, including for Thailand. The conversation arises amid the prosecution of individuals, such as a Nebraska teenager whose private messages were used as evidence in violating abortion laws, and the adoption of telehealth abortions and digital health tools following major changes to American abortion rights.

A newly released international report assessing the landscape of contraceptive supplies provides crucial insights for family planning stakeholders worldwide, with implications for policy and practice in Thailand. The 2024 Family Planning Market Report, jointly published by the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, delivers an extensive analysis of the evolving global market for reproductive health commodities, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges in ensuring access to contraceptives for millions of women and couples.

Proposed Republican-led budget cuts to Medicaid—the United States’ largest health insurance programme—could drastically increase healthcare costs and reduce access to essential health services for millions of women, according to recent reports. The potential policy shift is raising concerns among health advocates and experts who warn that low-income women, communities of colour, those with disabilities, and rural residents may be left without affordable care, including birth control, prenatal services, and vital screenings.

A new wave of fitness trends has taken social media by storm, with a viral sound bite declaring that every woman should be able to do 11 push-ups—a claim sparking debate among experts and everyday people alike. The prescription, delivered by a well-known orthopedic surgeon on a prominent self-help podcast, has led thousands to post their attempts online and question the implications of adopting such “one-size-fits-all” health guidance. In a fitness culture increasingly shaped by social media and so-called “wellness bros,” the debate points to larger questions about evidence-based exercise targets, inclusivity, and the real meaning of health and performance.

A seemingly simple fitness challenge—doing 11 standard push-ups—has sparked viral debate online and on popular podcasts, raising questions about its scientific merit for health and longevity. The latest surge of interest comes after a U.S. orthopedic surgeon, appearing on the Mel Robbins Podcast and echoed across TikTok, declared that “every woman should be able to do 11 push-ups”—and that modified “girl push-ups” don’t count. As the challenge gains traction on Thai social media, experts caution against over-simplifying the science behind push-ups, fitness, and health.

A new wave of research, highlighted by a UK-based National Health Service (NHS) general practitioner on national television, is upending conventional wisdom about the fight against stubborn belly fat. Contrary to the popular belief that only high-intensity workouts can help shift the bulge around the midsection, emerging evidence now supports the power of slow, steady exercise—like leisurely walks—in burning dangerous abdominal fat, particularly for older adults and postmenopausal women (Get Surrey).

A recent national survey in England has found that one in four women is living with a serious reproductive health issue, shedding new light on the scale of gynecological challenges and potentially offering important lessons for Thailand’s healthcare system. The findings signal the persistent and pervasive nature of conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), persistent pelvic pain, and heavy menstrual bleeding. The study underscores the urgent need for improved screening, public awareness, and healthcare accessibility—issues that are equally resonant for Thai women.

A groundbreaking qualitative study has brought new hope and practical strategies for postmenopausal women facing intimacy challenges, showing that with self-awareness, open communication, and support from partners and society, women can rediscover fulfilling relationships well beyond menopause. The findings, published in BMC Public Health and covered by News-Medical, are especially relevant as Thailand’s population rapidly ages and conversations around healthy aging remain prominent in both families and public health policy (News-Medical, Springer).

A groundbreaking discussion at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is reshaping what it means to survive breast cancer, casting a long-overdue spotlight on taboo topics from sexual health to holistic supplements and daily habits. The latest research—summarized in a special session fantastically dubbed “Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll”—highlights not only new scientific findings, but emphasizes the urgent need for open, stigma-free conversations between breast cancer survivors, their families, and the medical community. For Thai survivors and their families who may face culture-specific taboos around sexuality and alternative medicine, these global insights are particularly relevant—and potentially life changing.