Every irregular cycle is a clue: Fertility experts explain what to look for

Understanding Menstrual Cycles as Health Signals

On World Menstrual Hygiene Day, fertility experts are encouraging women to take irregular periods seriously rather than dismiss them as normal stress. Changes in menstrual cycles can reveal early signs of hormone imbalances, ovulation issues, PCOS, thyroid disorders, endometriosis, and other reproductive health conditions—often before fertility problems become apparent. Experts emphasize that while an irregular cycle isn't always dangerous, it is rarely meaningless and should be investigated.

What Your Cycle Reveals About Your Body

The menstrual cycle reflects deeper health markers including hormone balance, ovulation quality, metabolism, stress levels, and thyroid function. Many women incorrectly assume that regular periods automatically mean good fertility, while irregular cycles are casually dismissed. However, some women may menstruate regularly while not ovulating properly. Signs worth investigating include cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, missing periods, spotting between cycles, severe PMS, painful cramps, and sudden heavy bleeding.

Modern Lifestyle as a Risk Factor

Fertility clinics across India are seeing more young women with delayed ovulation and hormone imbalances. Experts attribute this to modern lifestyle factors including poor sleep, excessive screen time, long work hours, processed foods, sedentary routines, obesity, and chronic stress. Chronic stress particularly affects the hormonal system responsible for regulating ovulation, potentially causing irregular or absent periods. Fertility specialists now ask patients about sleep patterns, mental health, work schedules, and exercise habits as part of fertility assessments.

Study links eight heart-healthy habits to lower diabetes risk in postmenopausal women

A new study has found that following eight heart-healthy habits is linked to lower rates of type 2 diabetes in postmenopausal women. Researchers analyzed health data from nearly 20,000 women tracked over 16 years. The study used "Life's Essential 8" guidelines from the American Heart Association, which include improving diet, exercising, quitting smoking, getting adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure.

Women who scored highest on these health measures had significantly lower diabetes risk. Among women evaluated using all eight factors, those with the highest scores had a 57% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with the lowest scores. When looking at five lifestyle factors alone (diet, exercise, smoking, sleep, and weight), the highest-scoring women had a 40% lower risk. Blood sugar levels and body weight showed the strongest connections to diabetes risk.

The findings suggest that cardiovascular health and diabetes prevention are linked. The study also revealed that younger women and Hispanic women saw greater benefits from maintaining these healthy habits. Researchers emphasize that it's never too late to improve cardiovascular health and reduce diabetes risk, and they plan to study how these guidelines can be better used in clinical settings and real-world diabetes prevention programs.

Mount Sinai opens integrated clinical center for womens health

Mount Sinai Health System Opening New Women's Health Center

Mount Sinai Health System has opened the Carolyn Rowan Center for Women's Health and Wellness, a new 11,000-square-foot facility on Manhattan's Upper East Side. This center brings together multiple medical specialties in one location to provide coordinated, comprehensive care for women. The facility was made possible through a philanthropic gift from Mount Sinai Trustee Carolyn Rowan.

Services Offered Under One Roof

The center offers a wide range of women's health services including gynecology, obstetrics, menopause care, cardiology, mental health, orthopedics, and nutrition counseling. It also provides on-site diagnostic testing such as bone density testing and advanced ultrasounds. This integrated approach addresses the challenge that women often have to visit multiple providers across different locations for interconnected health issues.

Personalized Care Pathways

The center uses a unique care model called MyPath, which organizes services around themed clinical pathways tailored to different life stages. The first pathway, MyPath Balance 40+, focuses on women ages 40 and older and addresses hormonal changes, heart health, and metabolic concerns during midlife. Future pathways will address other life stages and specific health needs, combining medical treatments with supportive services like nutrition counseling and physical therapy.

Best Health and Fitness Certifications (My Favorites After 17+ Years in the Industry)

The article discusses various health and fitness certifications that are recommended for those interested in becoming wellness professionals. After 17 years in the industry, the author shares their top choices for certifications that cater to different goals, including coaching clients, teaching classes, and deepening personal knowledge.

For those looking to work one-on-one with clients and address health imbalances, the author highlights the Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP) Institute as a top choice. This program combines Eastern and Western health practices, teaches functional lab testing interpretation, and provides practical protocols for clients. The author has personally benefitted from this certification, claiming it has profoundly impacted their ability to support others.

Additionally, the article mentions the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDNP) certification as another option, emphasizing a focus on understanding the root causes of health issues through lab analysis, even though the author does not hold this certification themselves.

The article also provides insights into nutrition coaching certifications like the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and Precision Nutrition. IIN is noted for its flexibility in specialization, while Precision Nutrition is praised for its practical curriculum focusing on macronutrients and dietary strategies.

Charlotte Hornets Foundation awards $100,000 to women-led organizations

The Charlotte Hornets Foundation has awarded a total of $100,000 to four women-led organizations in the Carolinas. Each organization, which includes Moms Moving Forward, Code the Dream, Charlotte Bilingual Preschool, and NAMI Charlotte, will receive a grant of $25,000. This funding aims to help these organizations increase their impact in areas such as education, mental health, workforce development, and family stability.

This grant announcement aligns with Women’s History Month and is part of the foundation's commitment to championing the next generation, creating opportunities, leading with care, and empowering communities. Whitney Tarver, the foundation’s director, expressed hope that the funding will amplify the organizations' efforts.

To celebrate their achievements, the selected organizations were recognized during a Hornets home game in March. This initiative highlights the foundation's focus on supporting community-driven projects led by women.

LifeMD Offers Novo Nordisk's Industry-First Wegovy® Telehealth Subscription Program

LifeMD, a provider of virtual primary care, has launched a new subscription program for Novo Nordisk's Wegovy® (semaglutide), which is the first of its kind in the GLP-1 therapy market. This program aims to improve patient access to obesity treatment while offering significant cost savings, potentially up to $1,200 annually for injectable forms and $600 for oral treatments.

According to LifeMD's CEO, Justin Schreiber, this subscription model represents an important step forward in the distribution of branded GLP-1 products. The collaboration with Novo Nordisk has evolved from a pharmacy integration into a comprehensive partnership that includes both Wegovy® and Ozempic® therapies.

Patients using LifeMD for Wegovy® will receive a complete care experience, which consists of virtual consultations, clinical supervision, diagnostic testing, and streamlined billing. The Wegovy® subscription is now accessible to eligible patients through LifeMD’s website, marking a new era in weight management and obesity treatment.

Menopause wellness advocate hopes Manitoba clinic will support full spectrum of 'life transition'

A menopause wellness advocate from Winnipeg, Louise Neil, emphasizes the importance of a new clinic in Manitoba that is being established to support women during menopause. She highlights that menopause should be viewed as a "life transition" rather than a medical condition. The clinic, funded with $5.2 million from the provincial budget, needs to offer a wide range of support beyond just hormone replacement therapy.

Neil points out that many women, especially those in perimenopause, are unaware of their condition and lack the necessary support and education. She advocates for the clinic to provide educational resources not only for women but also for employers and healthcare practitioners. The previous closure of the Mature Women's Centre in 2017 left a gap in specialized services for women undergoing menopause, making this new initiative crucial.

The NDP Health Minister, Uzoma Asagwara, has assured that the clinic will offer comprehensive care, featuring clinical services, education, and coordinated support. However, Neil warns that one clinic may not be sufficient for the large number of women in the province experiencing menopause, and she hopes for ongoing investments in these essential services. Education and support for family doctors are also vital for early diagnosis and effective treatment of menopause symptoms.

The ‘3 Bs’ — including ‘booty’ — are the key to longevity, says health CEO

Living Longer and Healthier

Dr. Robin Berzin, the founder of Parsley Health, emphasizes three key health markers—referred to as the "3 Bs"—that can greatly influence longevity: brains, bones, and booty (muscle mass). She argues that instead of merely focusing on living longer, people, especially women, should prioritize living healthily and feeling good as they age.

The "3 Bs" serve as a shorthand for cognitive health, skeletal health, and maintaining muscle mass. Dr. Berzin points out that these areas are often overlooked but are crucial for staying sharp, strong, and independent as we age. She believes that while people are living longer, they often suffer from chronic diseases. Thus, living healthier is as important as the duration of life itself.

Berzin highlights that women face specific health challenges, particularly during midlife and menopause. She urges everyone, especially women, to focus on their brain health through proper metabolic management, including stable blood sugar levels and sufficient sleep. Additionally, she stresses the importance of maintaining bone health through resistance training and recommended DEXA scans for those over 35 to assess bone density.

Utilization of palliative care services and associated factors among cancer patients in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Palliative care is essential for enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia. However, its utilization is low, resulting in untreated symptoms and diminished patient well-being. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to estimate the rate of palliative care usage among Ethiopian cancer patients and identify factors that influence this utilization.

The study analyzed data from nine cross-sectional studies, involving a total of 2,839 cancer patients. The findings indicated that the overall palliative care utilization rate was 42%. Key factors influencing this utilization included educational attainment and gender, with higher rates observed among educated individuals and men.

Overall, the research underscores a significant gap in palliative care access in Ethiopia, reflecting broader systemic and socioeconomic issues. Recommendations for improvement include decentralizing services to rural areas, integrating palliative care into primary healthcare settings, enhancing workforce training, and raising awareness among patients and families. These steps are crucial for ensuring equitable and sustainable palliative care delivery in the country.

NBC Select Wellness Awards 2026: The best fitness, sleep and oral care products

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The article highlights various deals and promotions currently available, including significant discounts on Apple Watch and vacuum sales during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. Additionally, the winners of the NBC Select Wellness Awards 2026 for fitness, sleep, and oral care products are featured.

Various categories of products are listed for wellness and home, including skin care, health, fitness, and kitchen items. The article provides a comprehensive menu of different sections for easy navigation, emphasizing the selection of top stories and gift guides.