'women are the kind of people that people come out of' 😱

• The Secretary of Defense retweeted and is a "proud member" of a church affiliated with several pastors who went on CNN and said they'd support repealing the 19th amendment (i.e. women shouldn't vote) and, I kid you not, "women are the kind of people that people come out of." 😱
   
• On that note, the American Heart Association has a study that found women who experience stalking are more than 30% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. 
   
• NPR breaks down why social media posts on birth control side effects get so much attention.

Pete Hegseth Is a  'Proud Member' of Church Led By Men Who Don't Think Women Should Vote

What: I'd prefer not to have include voting rights in a women's health newsletter, but the fact that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is a "proud member" or a church affiliated with several pastors who said on camera that women should not have the right to vote is notable! In an interview with CNN, Pastor Doug Wilson said "women are the kind of people that people come out of...it doesn't take any talent to simply reproduce biologically." Jared Longshore, one of Wilson's supporting ministers, said when directly asked if the 19th amendment should be repealed: "I would support that."

Key Line: "Hegseth reposted the nearly seven-minute report with the caption: 'All of Christ for All of Life.' Later in the video, [Pastor Doug] Wilson says he does not believe women should hold leadership positions in the military or be able to fill high-profile combat roles. A statement from Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell on Saturday said Hegseth 'is a proud member of a church affiliated with' the CREC. 'The secretary very much appreciates many of Mr Wilson’s writings and teachings.'”

Source: Twitter // CNN, The Guardian
 

Why Claims about Birth Control Harms Spread So Much

What: NPR dives into hormonal birth control and how it has been villainized by influencers on social media. Decades of research show hormonal birth control is safe and effective at preventing pregnancy, despite some potential side effects. And while some swear by (and sell!) natural cycle tracking, it is not as reliable as traditional methods.

Key Line: "Keep in mind, social media can skew accuracy of risk-benefit calculations when it comes to making decisions about birth control, says Emily Pfender, a researcher at University of Pennsylvania who has studied the way contraception is represented on social media. ' This is a case of – the minority screams the loudest,' she says. Her research shows testimonials about rarely occurring side effects from birth control and contraception are rewarded on social media."

Source: NPR
 

Emerging Treatments for Menopause

What: A scientific round-up of pharmaceutical treatments for menopause that go beyond hormone therapy. The review notes drugs like fezolinetant, elinzanetant, estetrol, and oxybutynin show promise to treat symptoms (mostly hot flashes) when HRT isn't the best fit for a patient. 

Key Line: "Menopausal hormone therapy (HT) is highly effective against vasomotor symptoms (VMS). When HT is contraindicated, ineffective, or unacceptable, alternatives have included antidepressants, antiseizure, and antihypertensive formulations. Novel pharmacologic treatments for VMS have emerged in recent decades..."

Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology
 

Stalking Linked to Higher Heart Disease Risk in Women

What: A study looking at data from more than 66,000 women from 2001 to 2021 found those who reported being stalked at some point (12%) were 41% more likely than women who had not been stalked to eventually develop cardiovascular disease. The women who said they had to take out restraining orders (6%) were 70% more likely to report cardiovascular disease.

Key Line: "'A variety of stressful life experiences are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including adverse childhood experiences, financial stressors, grief and other experiences,' Reynolds said. 'People subjected to intimate partner violence face about a 30% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next few years compared to others. While this study shows a more moderate risk, given the long-time frame, it highlights how feeling unsafe can affect the body, in addition to the mind.'”

Source: American Heart Association
 

What: A professor looks at the science behind claims that chlorophyll and collagen supplements offer skin benefits, energy boosts, and detoxifying properties. Not shockingly, it's a mixed bag.

Key Line: "The evidence is mixed. A few (much older) studies suggest chlorophyllin can reduce the odour of faeces and flatulence, although it might also turn them green. There’s weaker evidence when it comes to halitosis or body odour. Research supporting its role as an antioxidant is limited, and the buzz around weight loss is largely anecdotal. Realistically, any benefit in that department likely comes from a diet rich in greens – low in fat and high in fibre – rather than chlorophyll alone. ...In short, the research [on collagen] is patchy – encouraging in some areas, inconclusive in others. And when it comes to supporting your body’s natural collagen production, there may be more effective (and less expensive) options. Foods such as chicken, fish, eggs and bone broth ensure a good protein intake."

Source: The Conversation