This page brings together AffectionPlus’s documentary monitoring on “Health”: scientific studies and academic publications first, followed by recent news items and posts spotted on social media.
To read our full guides, practical dossiers and detailed answers on this topic, visit the Health section or return to the Stay up to date overview.
Scientific studies, clinical trials and systematic reviews published in international literature on this topic.
— Three autumn 2026 studies shed new light on endometriosis: research in Reproductive BioMedicine Online identifies the enzyme pyruvate carboxylase as a metabolic driver of lesion invasion (opening a non-hormonal pathway), a cohort study in Human Reproduction tracks the persistent rise in antidepressant and anxiolytic prescriptions, and JOGC evaluates patient-specific 3D-printed surgical models.
— Presented at the 2026 American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) congress, the phase 3 SERENE trial in 981 women aged 18–35 shows that daily relugolix (40 mg), estradiol (1 mg) and norethindrone acetate (0.5 mg) provides effective contraception over 13 cycles, with a Pearl Index of 1.27.
— Published in Nature Communications on 16 October 2026, a randomized controlled trial using neonatal MRI scans shows that eight sessions of interpersonal psychotherapy for pregnant women experiencing psychological distress are associated with greater hippocampal volume growth in their infants.
— The University of Aberdeen is preparing a five-year, £2.3 million trial of a personalised twelve-week programme (medication, physiotherapy, psychological support) for women whose pain remains poorly relieved. Recruitment has not started and no results are known yet.
— Yale researchers compared lesions from 19 women with or without pain: nearly 900 genes are expressed differently, and an inflammatory molecule, IL16, is linked to the intensity of pain. This is basic research on a small group: no test or treatment results from it yet.
Recent news, legal developments and institutional announcements on this topic, summarised with their date and source.
— In a clinical patient briefing, the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) explains the dual impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on sexual health: while weight loss and higher testosterone boost desire or erectile function in around 18% of users, roughly 16% report lower libido linked to fatigue, gastrointestinal side effects or dopamine reward-pathway modulation.
— Tabled in the French National Assembly on 28 October 2026 by MP Constance de Pélichy following the parliamentary inquiry into declining birth rates, a cross-party bill recommends lifting France's ban on preimplantation genetic testing for chromosomal abnormalities (PGT-A) in IVF and easing egg donation rules (LCP, 28 October 2026).
— The NICD reports continued local transmission. Its dated count is a surveillance snapshot, not an estimate of any individual's risk.
— A national training programme looks at screening performance. The announcement does not report completed results.
— A parliamentary briefing highlights primary care and maternal-health screening, alongside social pressures.
— A corrected immunisation notice clarifies that newborn vaccination and later repeat or catch-up decisions follow different rules.
— In issue 474 of La Santé en action, Santé publique France reports that one in two people catch up on the news or watch videos at bedtime, and one in three do so during meals. The report also covers parents' technoference, children's screen time (the Enabee study) and the regulatory framework for the 2026 school year.
— A national circular announces approved tuberculosis updates, including care around birth, and asks services to implement them.
— The city describes its family-planning offer. A list of services does not guarantee that every product is available.
— Since 1 October 2026, the Assurance Maladie reimburses reusable period underwear and menstrual cups sold in pharmacies: 60 % of the price for people under 26, with no means test, and in full for beneficiaries of the complementary health insurance for low-income households (complémentaire santé solidaire), whatever their age. Reimbursement is limited to two products per twelve-month period, with a price ceiling of €19 per pair of underwear and €15.80 per cup. About 6.7 million people are concerned. Disposable tampons and pads are not reimbursed.
— On 27 September 2026, Geneva voters approved the initiative For free contraception with 58.46% of the vote, on a turnout of 44.24%, according to RTS. Geneva becomes the first canton to accept this principle. However, contraception remains at people's own expense elsewhere in Switzerland, and the Geneva arrangements will depend on an implementing law.
— A named opposition health spokesperson reports supply concerns ahead of a contract transition.
— Updated WHO recommendations must be kept separate from South African registration, guidance and supply.
— Municipal activity data describe city services. They do not show a national trend or compare effectiveness.
— The national rollout update reports that the programme is expanding. It does not promise access at every clinic.
— The department explains procurement and product alternatives, while local availability remains a practical question.
— EPI-PHARE, a public scientific group run by the French medicines agency (ANSM) and the national health insurance fund, updated its review of vasectomy in France on 27 August 2026: 46,826 vasectomies in 2023, 53,955 in 2024 and 57,666 in 2025. These are reimbursement data, which describe procedures rather than motivations.
— On 5 March 2026, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights declared Peru responsible for the forced sterilization and the 1997 death of Celia Edith Ramos Durand. It found that the 1996-2000 family planning programme, which led to more than 314,000 sterilizations of women and 24,000 of men, many under coercion, was a State policy, and ordered reparations.
— The Austrian Ministry of Economy announced on 30 December 2025 that, from 1 January 2026, menstrual products (tampons, pads, cups) and contraceptives are exempt from VAT in Austria: the 10 % tax that applied until then disappears entirely. The Federal Competition Authority can check whether the cut is passed on to the prices paid by consumers.
— According to new WHO estimates published on 11 December 2024, about 846 million people aged 15 to 49 were living with genital herpes in 2020, more than one in five. The figure adds HSV-2 (520 million) and genital HSV-1 infections (376 million, including 50 million with both). These infections most often cause few or no symptoms, and 42 million new infections are thought to occur each year. Modelling estimates, valid at the global level only.
Posts and videos from institutions, media, specialists and AffectionPlus spotted right now on social media.
— Australia's Department of Health says cervical screening should continue after periods change or stop, until the final test at age 70 to 74. It also notes that options exist for people who find screening more daunting after menopause.
Facebook · Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
— The American Heart Association describes a new approach, developed with other major medical bodies, that links hormonal, heart and overall health across a woman's life instead of treating them separately. It aims to make care more personalised at each age.
Instagram · @american_heart
— A doctor and a pelvic floor physical therapist discuss why supporting tissues with vaginal estrogen and working on muscle function are different parts of menopause care. The video highlights that pelvic floor health deserves more attention.
TikTok · @drmaryclaire
— SAMHSA, the US federal behavioral health agency, stresses that addiction is a chronic condition and that effective treatment helps people manage substance use disorder and rebuild their lives. A useful reference point for families and partners.
X · @samhsagov
— A BBC News video that follows women dealing with urinary tract infections that keep coming back or never fully go away. It brings attention to a condition that can seriously affect daily life.
TikTok · @bbcnews
— Sharing insights from National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Dr. Nora Volkow, the NIH emphasizes that substance use disorders are chronic medical conditions that can involve cycles of remission and recurrence similar to diabetes or heart disease. Understanding relapse risk as part of a treatable condition helps families replace blame with sustained, evidence-based care.
LinkedIn · The National Institutes of Health
— The US consular affairs office lists health steps to take before an overseas trip, such as checking destination health information and insurance coverage, considering medical evacuation cover, and verifying medication laws and vaccination requirements. It is a practical reminder for couples preparing to live or travel abroad.
X · @TravelGov
— SAMHSA highlights that preventing substance use before it becomes addiction improves health, lowers social costs and saves lives. It points to a new report on the prevention workforce, relevant to the adolescent prevention side of the dossier.
X · @samhsagov
— A researcher shares a new study finding that many behavioral health providers do not feel prepared to treat substance use disorders. They argue that training must treat addiction care as a core competency, which matters for couples looking for competent help.
LinkedIn · Khary Rigg
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Text written with the help of AI, under the editorial responsibility of CAPIT. Human reviews are occasional (method: About). Spotted an error? Write to us.
