Reproductive Health

Beyonce Says She Had Toxemia During Her Pregnancy With Her Twins. Here’s What That Means

Everything you need to know about toxemia, or preeclampsia

By Alice Park August 6, 2018

There May Soon Be a Blood Test for Predicting Premature Births

“This is about saving lives”

By Alice Park June 7, 2018

Taking Antidepressants During Pregnancy May Lead to Fetal Brain Changes

A new study looks at how antidepressants that women take while pregnant may affect their babies’ brains

By Alice Park April 9, 2018

Abortions in the U.S. Are Safe and Effective, a New Report Says

And without long-term risks

By Jamie Ducharme March 16, 2018

Birth Control Pills May Help Prevent Some Cancers

A new study looks at how oral contraceptives affect cancer risk

By Alice Park January 18, 2018

Frozen Embryos Are Just as Good for IVF as Fresh Ones

Two new studies find that fresh and frozen embryos lead to similar pregnancy rates and live births in IVF

By Alice Park January 11, 2018

Fewer High School Students Are Having Sex

Across the U.S., the number of high school students who report having sex has dropped, according to new federal data. The report, based on a nationwide self-reported survey of high school students and published by...

By Alexandra Sifferlin January 4, 2018

Hormonal Birth Control Is Linked to Increased Risk of Breast Cancer

Hormone-based contraceptives are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, according to a new study

By Alice Park December 6, 2017

Hormonal Birth Control Is Linked to a Higher Risk of Suicide, Study Says

Contraceptives are effective ways to prevent pregnancy, alleviate menstrual pain and ease heavy bleeding, but the hormonal changes needed to accomplish that may have some negative psychological side effects. In a study published in the...

By Alice Park November 21, 2017

Pesticides In Produce Linked to Women Not Getting Pregnant with IVF

A new study links exposure to pesticides from fruits and vegetables to lower success rates with IVF

By Alice Park October 30, 2017

1 in 9 Men Have Oral HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the U.S. It’s so common that federal experts say that nearly every sexually active man or woman will be infected with at...

By Alexandra Sifferlin October 16, 2017

This Is How Far American Women Have to Travel to Get an Abortion

Abortion is a legal medical procedure in the United States, but whether a woman has access to the procedure depends largely on where she lives

By Alexandra Sifferlin October 3, 2017

Why We Need to Protect Maternal Health During the Refugee Crisis

It’s estimated that there are 22.5 million refugees today, and many of them are women and children. The ongoing refugee crisis has been a topic of discussion during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) happening...

By Alexandra Sifferlin September 19, 2017

Why Hormone Replacement Therapy May Be Safer Than You Think

A long-term study finds that it may not affect death rates

By Alice Park September 12, 2017

Older Dads Are More Common Than Ever Before

Women aren’t the only ones putting off having children. The average age of fathers has increased by 3.5 years over the past four decades

By Amanda MacMillan August 31, 2017

Texas Passes Law Significantly Limiting Coverage for Abortion Procedures

The bill forbids insurance providers in the state to cover abortion procedures

By Alexandra Sifferlin August 15, 2017

14% More Men Are Using Condoms: Study

Condoms are one of the best ways to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, but they are not an especially well-used form of birth control in the United States. However, new data indicates that 34% of men...

By Alexandra Sifferlin August 10, 2017

More Than Half of Teens Are Having Sex and Most Use Birth Control

Just over half of American teenagers are sexually active, and most report using some form of contraception, according to new research. The study from the National Center for Health Statistics found that 55% of teens...

By Alexandra Sifferlin June 22, 2017

How Breastfeeding Lowers a Mom’s Risk of Heart Disease

A strong body of evidence supports the benefits of breastfeeding both for baby and mom. Breast milk gives babies a starter population of bacteria- and virus-fighting cells from their mothers, and breastfed babies tend to...

By Alice Park June 21, 2017

Getting an Abortion With Telemedicine Is Safe, Study Says

As abortion laws in the U.S. have become more restrictive, some women have turned to dangerous methods of terminating their pregnancies at home. But there are safe ways for women to obtain abortions outside of...

By Abigail Abrams May 16, 2017

Smoking While Pregnant May Not Lead to Mental Illness in Kids: Study

Smoking while pregnancy is linked to a number of different health problems, but severe mental illness may not be one of them, according to a new study

By Alice Park May 4, 2017

You Can Now Get Plan B From a Vending Machine at This California University

‘I feel like every college should have this’

By Julie Mazziotta / People April 24, 2017

1 in 10 Pregnant Women Infected With Zika Had Babies With Birth Defects

In a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers detail the risk of birth defects from Zika

By Alice Park April 4, 2017

Lena Dunham Says Birth Control 'Makes Me Feel Really Safe'

‘It’s such a big part of regulating my body’

By Julie Mazziotta / People March 29, 2017

Infant Deaths Continue to Drop in the U.S.

Government agencies have released some good news for newborns. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) found in a new analysis that the rate of...

By Alice Park March 21, 2017

Access to Most Effective Birth Control Could Save $12 Billion a Year

According to a new study

By Alexandra Sifferlin March 8, 2017

Access to Most Effective Birth Control Could Save $12 Billion a Year: Study

In recent decades the U.S. has seen a drop in the rate of unintended pregnancies, thanks in part to women using more effective and long-acting birth control methods, like the IUD or the implant. Still,...

By Alexandra Sifferlin March 8, 2017

What Neil Gorsuch Means In the Battle Over Abortion Rights

The stakes are high for both sides if Donald Trump's SCOTUS pick is confirmed

By Eliana Dockterman February 10, 2017

How These States Are Fighting to Protect Reproductive Rights

Amid uncertainty over the future of reproductive health care coverage in the U.S.

By Alexandra Sifferlin February 8, 2017

Male Birth Control Gel Works in Monkeys

It was a small study, but the results were pretty remarkable

By Alexandra Sifferlin February 6, 2017

After President Trump, More Women Express Interest in IUDs

'The morning after the election we had an immediate uptick in calls'

By Alexandra Sifferlin January 26, 2017

More Women Are Investing in IUDs after President Trump’s Election

IUD-related doctor visits rise for the first time in five years

By Alexandra Sifferlin January 26, 2017

Here's What the Mexico City Policy Means for Women's Health

Health groups are worried

By Alexandra Sifferlin January 23, 2017

Here's What the Mexico City Policy Means for Women

President Donald Trump reinstated the Mexico City policy, and health groups are worried

By Alexandra Sifferlin January 23, 2017

The Reason Why Abortion Rates Are Dropping

As distances to Texas clinics rose, abortion rates dropped, a study shows

By Alexandra Sifferlin January 19, 2017

Abortion Doesn't Negatively Affect Women's Mental Health

According to the largest study of its kind

By Alexandra Sifferlin December 15, 2016

Abortion Doesn't Negatively Affect Women's Mental Health

It's the largest and most comprehensive study on the matter

By Alexandra Sifferlin December 14, 2016

Exercise May Be the Key to Better Sperm

A new study finds that regular exercise can lead to a higher sperm count

By Alice Park December 5, 2016

Older Moms May Live Longer

Women who have children later in life tend to live longer. Now, researchers are trying to figure out why

By Alice Park November 17, 2016

This IVF Calculator Helps Couples Predict Their Chances of Having a Baby

Most IVF clinics can’t help couples estimate their chances of success until after their first treatment. But a new calculator can figure out success rates before the first IVF cycle, as well as through each subsequent cycle

By Alice Park November 16, 2016

Zika Virus Reduces Male Fertility in Mice

The Zika virus is known to affect babies and female reproduction, but fresh evidence suggests that infections may also affect male fertility

By Alice Park October 31, 2016

How Omega 3 Fats May Improve Fertility

Researchers say that a common fat found in fish like salmon, and plants like flaxseed, may play a role in boosting fertility

By Alice Park October 18, 2016

Morning Sickness May Be a Good Thing, Actually

Nausea is linked to fewer miscarriages

By Alice Park September 26, 2016

End of China's One-Child Policy Puts Pressure on Sperm Banks

Infertility stalks up to 15% of Chinese couples

By Hannah Beech / Shanghai September 21, 2016

Scientists Have Found a New Way to Create Mice

Researchers pioneer a new way to generate viable mice without fertilization

By Alice Park September 13, 2016

What Menopause Has To Do With Heart Disease

Doctors thought the onset of menopause increased women’s risk of heart disease. New research shows the trouble starts even earlier.

By Alice Park August 3, 2016

Reproductive Health

Researchers Make Progress Toward a Monthly Birth Control Pill

How the Microbiome Might Predict Diabetes, Premature Birth and Gut Diseases

A Baby Was Born With DNA From 3 People. Here's How That’s Possible

Can an App Prevent Pregnancy?