literally lighting birth control on fire 😡

• The top OBGYN trade organization criticized an FDA panel on SSRIs and pregnancy, saying it was "alarmingly unbalanced and did not adequately acknowledge the harms of untreated perinatal mood disorders in pregnancy."
   
• A study found 89% of pregnant women were at risk of preeclampsia under USPSTF guidelines. With a number that high, the authors question if the guidelines are really helping. 
   
• You can't make this up: the Trump administration is allegedly *incinerating* $10 million in IUDs and other birth control products originally meant for women in developing countries.

‘Safer Beauty Bill Package’ Aims to Rid Cosmetics of Toxins

What: Democrats in Congress introduced legislation to get ban toxic chemicals like phthalates and formaldehyde (and more) in personal care products, which can lead to cancer, hormone disruption, respiratory issues, and more. There are relatively few federal regulations currently for cosmetics. 

Key Line: "Despite mounting scientific research into the dangers posed by toxic chemicals, little has been done to ban them or at least label them on cosmetics. ...'More than 10,000 chemicals are used to make beauty and personal care products,' said [Rep. Jan] Schakowsky, who authored all four bills. 'We owe it to consumers to ensure the beauty and personal care products they use daily are safe.'"

Source: NPR
 

$10M in US-Funded Contraceptives Will Be Lit on Fire

What: The United States spent nearly $10 million on contraceptives like IUDs and birth control implants for women in developing countries, but the Trump administration has decided to *incinerate them* instead of distributing them. They allegedly claim the birth control goes against their values, and the supply is being sent to a French incineration site over a 13-day period.

Key Line: "'They’ve said that this isn’t in alignment with their values,' said a congressional aide who visited that warehouse, referring to the Trump administration. 'They’re trying to destroy it all by the end of the month, and I saw some boxes there that aren’t expiring until 2031.'”

Source: Devex
 

Study Shows Preeclampsia Risk Prediction Guidelines May Be Ineffective

What: A study of over 5,000 pregnancies found 89% percent of women were flagged as being at risk for preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy that can be fatal), using guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force. And of the 71% who were at moderate risk, only 37% got recommended preventive care, like aspirin.

Key Line: "With the vast majority of the population being labeled as 'at risk,' it is unclear if the USPSTF guidelines are serving their intended use of helping clinicians identify patients at most need of additional care."

Source: Mass General Brigham

ACOG Advocates for Access to SSRIs During Pregnancy

What: The nation's top OBGYN group criticized an FDA panel's negative portrayal of SSRIs during pregnancy, emphasizing how the medications can prevent the harmful effects of untreated anxiety and depression on expecting parents. They urged using evidence-based treatment options.

Key Line: "ACOG agrees with the panel’s assertion that randomized trials to assess the safety of SSRIs have not been conducted and should be prioritized. ACOG has consistently advocated for the inclusion of pregnant people in clinical trials to help ensure the safety and efficacy of medication taken during pregnancy, and was very supportive of the efforts by FDA and [NIH] to establish working groups for the Prioritization of Therapeutic Research Needs for Pregnant, Postpartum, and Lactating Persons. SSRIs were slated to be one of those working groups. However, that work has now been stalled due to the administration’s recent significant cuts to the NIH. 'It is dangerous to minimize the real effects from mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum. For the sake of our patients, ACOG continues to assert that all treatment options should be available for people struggling with their mental health during pregnancy.'"

Source: ACOG
 

Menopause Under the FDA Spotlight

What: Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, an executive at Ms. Magazine who is writing a book on menopause, explains why it's important the FDA is paying attention to hormonal treatments, despite issues with the current administration. She argues that updating vaginal estrogen labeling would not only improve women's lives but also save billions in healthcare costs.

Key Line: "It feels especially important that readers and the general public know this history, given the current state of crisis and chaos among U.S. federal health agencies, especially the FDA. I am writing to make clear the menopause medical and advocacy community believes that rectifying the labeling of vaginal estrogen is essential, lifesaving and long overdue … and is turning out—for the sake of women and democracy—to hold the FDA to a fair, transparent process at Thursday’s hearing and thereafter."

Source: Ms. Magazine