Reproductive health news consists of many different topics that relate to the fertility of women. Some of these include the use of Methotrexate, Femtech, In vitro fertilization and the International Women’s Day.
In vitro fertilization
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is one of the most successful fertility treatments available today. It helps infertile couples conceive children and is often recommended for women with a blocked or absent fallopian tube. The process also treats infertility due to genetic abnormalities.
To perform IVF, a woman’s eggs are surgically removed from her ovaries. These are then fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. After forty hours, the resulting egg is transferred to the woman’s uterus.
The number of embryos that are transferred depends on the age and reproductive history of the couple. Women using donor eggs generally have more embryos transferred.
Embryos may be transferred as early as the day after fertilization, but many clinics will wait until the blastocyst stage. This is when the embryo is the most suitable to implant into the uterus.
Some couples are able to freeze embryos before they are transferred to the uterus. These leftover embryos can be used later in an ongoing pregnancy or donated to another infertile couple.
Methotrexate
When it comes to methotrexate and reproductive health, there are a number of potential complications. For example, women who take the drug may experience menopausal symptoms. And, if they are pregnant, their child could develop serious birth defects.
Some doctors prescribe methotrexate for other purposes than preventing pregnancy. It may be used to help end an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg begins to grow outside the uterus, a condition that is highly dangerous for the person and the baby. The woman is in danger of miscarriage and death.
In some states, methotrexate can be prescribed to induce abortion. However, most of the women who use these drugs are not pregnant. Moreover, these medications are not safe for pregnant women.
Several medical associations have feared that the recent changes in abortion laws will reduce access to certain medications. They anticipated that some of these drugs, including methotrexate, would be banned. As a result, some pharmacists are denying women access to the drug.
Femtech
The Femtech industry refers to businesses that leverage technology to provide solutions to female health concerns. Some of these companies focus on reproductive health, but many also address other women’s health issues.
These companies use software and other digital products to solve problems related to women’s health. Their products and services range from fertility tracking apps to hormonal therapy solutions. They can also design digital interventions for pregnancy, antepartum depression, and perinatal mental health.
Many of these startups are addressing cardiovascular health, menopause, and ovarian cancer. There are even telemedicine unicorns in this space. A recent report found that femtech startups are receiving large investments. However, some investors feel that the term “femtech” restricts the scope of these startups’ potential.
Another barrier is data privacy concerns. While femtech companies are working to overcome this barrier, it is crucial that they find ways to protect their patients’ data.
Another barrier is the lack of funding for the space. Women’s health has long been a neglected area of medical research. In fact, 4% of all research dollars have been directed toward female health. This could be due to cultural taboos surrounding sexual reproductive health.
International Women’s Day
Every year, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated to raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of women around the world. It’s also an opportunity to take stock of what’s still needed to advance gender equality.
This year, the IWD theme is Be Bold for Change. In recognition of this, DKT International is conducting an educational and digital campaign throughout the month of March.
Using social media, the company will promote stories of women’s success. Their team will also hold empowering placards with messages. They will also hold a photo contest and offer free samples of products. The goal is to raise awareness about reproductive health.
Additionally, the company is celebrating the work of women in the Congo. Through social media, they are aiming to inspire the country’s female staff by highlighting the accomplishments of these women.
Across the world, women’s rights are under attack. Some states are enacting laws that restrict access to abortion. Others are limiting the number of children a woman can have.