We discussed quite a bit of women’s health research over the past year. Some studies only confirmed things we already knew, while other proved truly enlightening. If you missed some of these stories, check out our recap of the year in women’s health research.
In January, we learned the importance of protein to maintaining muscle mass after menopause.
In February, we found out that pregnant women may be more susceptible to infection.
March brought us further insights into the impact of meth use on pregnancy, and the fact that it can lead to future behavior problems in children.
April‘s insights included the fact that twin births are on the rise, and further information about the positive effects of fiber on a woman’s diet.
In May, we learned more about how a woman’s health at the time of conception can affect her pregnancy, and also got some potential good news for those with fertility problems when researchers discovered some new information on the behavior of sperm.
June brought us the most in-depth study to date on hormone replacement therapy.
July‘s big reveals included the discovery of a genetic link between smoking and hot flashes.
August was a busy month for women’s health research, as we learned that vaginal pain can be a symptom of several seemingly unrelated conditions, and that sleep apnea among women is on the rise. We also discovered that certain procedures don’t have the impact on fertility that we previously thought, and that the flu vaccine may be safer for pregnant women in the first trimester than we once believed.
September saw the world’s first ever womb transplant performed in Sweden, as well as confirmation that progestogen therapy has proven quite effective in preventing premature birth.
October‘s research included hope for women with chronic HPV and concerns about the effects of antidepressants on pregnancy.
In November, we learned about the positive health prognosis of women who quit smoking before the age of 30, researchers found a connection between hormone-based birth control and mental aging, and we learned more about the genes responsible for rheumatoid arthritis in women.
We wrapped up the year in December with the highest resolution ultrasound ever viewed by the public, and the discovery that dormant HPV can reappear after menopause.
It was certainly quite a year for women’s health research, and we expect to see more of the same in 2013. Obstetrics and gynecology have long been at the forefront of medical innovation, and we don’t expect that to change any time soon.
