by Sue Johanson

April 27, 2008 C-Sections On the Rise The number of caesarean births has increased to 31% in the U.S., a 50% jump in only 10 years. Attitudes have shifted and many pregnant women now view childbirth as a “managed” medical event. Also, soaring malpractice rates for obstetricians have encouraged doctors to play it safe and avoid vaginal deliveries. The U.S. has nothing on Brazil, where 80% of babies born in hospitals are delivered by C-section. Source: TIME Magazine

April 13, 2008 In Your Face! A study from the University of Aberdeen and St. Andrew's has found that women instantly judge a potential partner's intent by the shape of his face. Men with squarer jaws, larger noses and smaller eyes are perceived as only wanting casual sex, not a long-term partnership. The study involved 700 participants in their 20's. Source: BBC News

April 6, 2008 Email Service Provides STI Warnings If you are diagnosed with an STI, you are supposed to tell your sexual partner(s) so they can be treated. Now there is a range of E mail cards called THE IN SPOT. You can avoid the embarrassment, yet let your contact know they need to be checked and treated. Check www.INSPOT.org. This is a non-profit association and the service is free. Source: Globe and Mail

March 30, 2008 Premature Babies Have More Life-Risks A new study has found that the long-term risks of premature birth are more dire than suspected. The joint U.S./Norwegian study of 60,000 adults who had been born prematurely found higher death rates overall than full-term births. Researchers also found that 'preemies' were less likely to finish high school and less likely to reproduce. Only 14% of men and 25% of women had their own children, compared with 50% of men and 68% of women who were born at term. Source: BBC News

March 16, 2008 Herpes Research Disturbing Did you know that 70% of genital Herpes is spread, not when there is an outbreak, but by viral shedding? Surface dead skin sloughs off and can come in contact with a partner's genitals during sexual activity, transmitting the virus. Studies have found that those who have Herpes on their genitals – either Type 1 or Type 2 – shed the viral cells 2% of the time, whether or not any symptoms or lesions are present. Condoms DO help to prevent transmission, as studies have shown, depending on the location of the infection site. If you already have genital Herpes, there are newer medications available that suppress transmission to others. Talk with your doctor. Source: Health Canada

March 9, 2008 Hepatitis Information Have had a few requests for information about Hepatitis, so here we go: Hepatitis A is spread by food, contaminated water, oral-anal contact, and saliva. Symptoms include weakness, jaundice, headache, fever, cramps and loss of appetite. There is no treatment or cure, best prevention is vaccination if you are traveling. Hepatitis B is spread by contact with blood, semen, vaginal secretions or saliva from an infected person, and dirty needles. It can also spread from a mother to newborn baby during birth. Hep B may lead to serious illness, cirrhosis, cancer, and death. There is a vaccine but no treatment or cure. Recommend rest and good nutrition. Hepatitis C is the most serious chronic infection that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Hep C is seldom spread by sex but by blood-to-blood contact. This may be by shooting up with dirty needles, nosebleed from snorting drugs, blood transfusion, body piercing and tattooing. There are two other types of Hepatitis rarely mentioned – Hepatitis D, which is a co-infection that can be transferred with the Hep B virus and is even more catastrophic; and Hepatitis E, which is transferred usually through drinking water and is not common in North America. For more information check on-line at the CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL – www.cdc.gov Source: Centers for Disease Control

March 2, 2008 Researchers Link Toxins to Damaged Sperm Production It has long been known that a mother's health can affect fetal development, but a new American study has linked birth defects to the father's sperm as well. Toxins, such as alcohol, nicotine, pesticides, and drugs, can result in damaged sperm, and the resulting birth defects can last for the next four generations. Men who were exposed to toxins produced more children with low birth weight, increased birth defects, and childhood cancers. For example, soldiers exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam had children with higher rates of spina bifida. Men who are trying to become fathers should not drink or smoke, and should avoid prescription and recreational drugs, and pesticides. Source: The Guardian

February 17, 2008 Study Links Pregnancy Stress to Schizophrenia A new study has found a possible link between stress during the first trimester of pregnancy and the development of schizophrenia in the fetus. Researchers studied the data of 1.3 million Danish women and discovered that those who suffered extreme stress during early pregnancy, such as the loss of a loved one, produced children who were 67% more likely to develop schizophrenia later in life. Schizophrenia is a neurological disorder and it has long been suspected that the brain problem occurs during fetal development. Source: The Canadian Press

February 10, 2008 Britain Tackles Teen Pregnancy This week, the British government committed £14 million to help stem the country's rising teen pregnancy rate. Birth control pills will be more accessible to young women, and they have the option of daily text messages to remind them to take their medication. Also, Depo-Provera shots and condoms will be more widely available through clinics. Currently, the U.K. leads the EU in unplanned teenage pregnancies. Source: BBC News

February 3, 2008 Bra Size May Predict Predisposition to Diabetes Canadian researchers have discovered a link between bra cup size and type 2 diabetes. The study included data on 92,000 women gathered since 1989. Women with a B cup size at age 20 have twice the risk of developing type 2 diabetes than women with an A cup. Women with a D cup have 5 times the risk. It is possible that breast tissue, which is 50 to 70% fat, influences insulin resistance in the body, and this leads to diabetes. Data in the study was adjusted to account for waist size and BMI. The results indicated that bra size at age 20 is an accurate indicator of potentially developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Source: CTV

January 27, 2008 Brits More Liberal about Sex The new British Social Attitude Study has found that 70% of those polled had no objections to pre-marital sex, up from 48% two decades ago. Only 28% felt that married couples were better parents than common-law partners. Men have also changed their own personal views. In 1989, 32% thought that the male should be the primary breadwinner in a household. That belief has dropped to 17%. Source: BBC News

January 20, 2008 Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterium on Rise A new strain of MSRA – a flesh-eating bacterium that is resistant to most antibiotics – is threatening to spread into the general population. Researchers have found the superbug is 13 times more prevalent in the gay community of San Francisco. It spreads through skin-to-skin contact, including casual sexual activity. Doctors are warning everyone who has frequent contact with other people's flesh, including wrestlers, military personnel, massage therapists, and health-care workers to thoroughly wash areas of contact with soap and water. Source: BBC News / Toronto Star

January 13, 2008 Sex Addiction on the Rise - Internet Porn to Blame A British survey of sex therapists has found that sexual addiction amongst men is on the rise. 74% of the therapists surveyed blamed internet porn for the rapid increase. Compulsive sexual behaviour can ruin relationships and careers, with extreme cases of men watching up to 8 hours a day of porn online. Counsellors are even more alarmed by teenaged viewers of porn online and even on mobile phones. The implications for normal sexual relationships later are threatened by the easy availability of pornographic images now. Source: BBC News

January 6, 2008 A Decade of Viagra This season marks the 10th anniversary of the introduction of Viagra to the world. According to Pfizer, 30 million men in 120 countries have been treated with the medication since its release. However, not everyone is equally thrilled with its success, and many women do not find the never-ending erection to be a blessed miracle. A recent survey proved the point – half the men who went home with a prescription never had it refilled. Source: BBC News

December 9, 2007 China Finally Confronts HIV/AIDS It is estimated that one million people in China have HIV or AIDS. Because of the lack of sexual education, a recent survey found that 40% of respondents did not know any methods to prevent infection. Finally, the Chinese government has relented and in January, condom commercials and AIDS awareness campaigns will begin. Source: BBC News

December 2, 2007 Higher Breast Cancer Risk from City Living British researchers have found that women who live in cities have a higher breast cancer risk than those who live in the countryside because their breasts develop denser tissue. Dense tissue is associated with cancer. Researchers theorize that pollution encourages the growth of dense tissue because some air-born particles mimic female sex hormones. Urban females were twice as likely as rural ones to have dense tissue in their breasts. Source: BBC News

November 18, 2007 New Birth Control Option SEASONIQUE is a new Birth Control Pill with a difference. A woman would take one pill a day for 3 months, non-stop. Then off the pill for a week, have a period, then back on the pill for another 3 months. This means you only have 4 periods a year instead of 12. Like all oral contraceptives, the pill does not provide protection against STI's. Talk to your doctor to see if this medication is right for you. Source: Medical Post

November 11, 2007 Higher Suicide Rate for Breast Implant Patients A study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center has found that women with breast implants are three times more likely to commit suicide than women who don't have the procedure. The data was compiled from death statistics of 3,500 Swedish women who underwent breast implant surgery between 1965 and 1993. Researchers suggest that surgeons consider mental health screening and follow-up counseling for patients with breast augmentation. Source: Medical Post

November 4, 2007 American HIV Rate Higher than Europe Since the introduction of 'abstinence-only' programs, American cases of HIV have risen sharply, both in the gay and African-American communities. The rate of new infections is now 10 times higher than the UK and twice as high as the European average. It is estimated that nearly 1 million Americans are living with HIV or AIDS currently. Of men who have sex with men, one study found that 47% of those surveyed had had unprotected anal sex. Some good news though – transmission by injection drug users continues to decline as drug trends change and many states provide clean needle exchange programs. Source: UPI

October 28, 2007 Viagra Increases Bonding as well as Boners! Researchers have found that not only does Viagra help achieve erections, it boosts a hormone linked to the urge to cuddle and express feelings of love and intimacy. These intense feelings may contribute to couple-bonding and commitment. The chemical released is called 'oxytocin' and it is the same hormone released during orgasm and by mothers who are breast-feeding. It is known to play a role in the bonding process. Other erectile-dysfunction drugs will likely have the same effect. Other preliminary studies have also found Viagra to be helpful in overcoming jet-lag and good for relieving chronic hip pain in men. Source: Daily Mail

October 21, 2007 DNA Test Detects Cervical Cancer Better than Pap Test Good news for women – Two new studies have found that a DNA-based screening test is 40% to 50% more effective at picking up cervical cancer and pre-cancers than the standard PAP smear. The newer DNA test actually detects HPV – human papilloma viruses – some of which can lead to cervical cancer. In a large Swedish study of 12, 500 women, a combination of both tests found 51% more cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions than the PAP test alone. The DNA test method is still being refined. Because it is more sensitive, it picks up far more false positives, and this can lead to unnecessary treatment for women who would not go on to develop cervical cancer. Because HPV is so prevalent among younger females, researchers warn that the test may never be useful for women under the age of 30. So, please carry on with your yearly PAP test. Source: Canadian Press / CBC

October 14, 2007 HPV Vaccine Important for Young Females Gardasil, the new vaccine to prevent the human papilloma virus – HPV - that can cause cancer of the cervix is very controversial. There are 100 types of HPV, but only 40 infect the genitals. High risk types 16 & 18 account for 70% of cervical cancer; types 6 & 11 cause genital warts but do not cause cancer. Between 50-80% of women will acquire an HPV infection before they are 50 years old, but persistent HPV infections are necessary for the development of cervical cancer. There are two vaccines, of which Gardasil is the most commonly prescribed needing 3 vaccinations over a 3 month period and costs about $400.00. The duration of immunity is 60 months. Gardasil is recommended for females age 9-13 before sexual activity begins; older women will benefit even if they have been or are infected with the HPV. Women should also have regular PAP tests done so talk with your doctor. Source: Medical Post

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