News & Updates

A review of 19 meta-analyses shows mixed results on the effects of multivitamin and mineral (MVM) supplementation on health outcomes.

Women residing in homes with high radon levels may be at increased risk of ovarian cancer, as suggested in a study.

In perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with a history of breast cancer, testosterone therapy appears to yield substantial improvements in menopause symptoms, as shown in a small retrospective study.

Endometriosis remains an unspoken issue in women’s health, often taking years before a diagnosis is made. At a recent panel discussion organised by Hospital Picaso, clinicians highlighted how delays in diagnosis and fragmented care continue to shape poor outcomes while advocating for a shift towards coordinated, multidisciplinary management. The panel consisted of Dr Tan Ee Ping and Dr Sharifah Halimah Jaafar, both consultant gynaecologists; Dr Debbie Teh, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist; and Dr Michael Lim, a consultant gynaecologist and gynae-oncologist.

Fathers with a healthy lifestyle appear to help reduce the risk of preterm birth (PTB) in their offspring, suggests a recent study.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a leading cause of hospitalisation and severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants worldwide. [Lancet 2022;399:2047-2064; Lancet 2017;390:946-958] In recent years, two immunoprophylactic strategies have become available to protect infants, namely maternal immunisation with the RSV prefusion F (RSVpreF) vaccine and passive immunisation of infants with the long-acting monoclonal antibody nirsevimab.

Administering platelet-rich plasma injections to the anterior vaginal wall helps improve sexual function in sexually active premenopausal women without severe sexual dysfunction, according to a pilot, single-centre study.

Folic acid (FA) fortification of iodized salt results in improvements in women’s folate status, which then lowers the risk of neural tube defect (NTD)-affected pregnancies, a study has shown.

In the treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy, the use of intravenous (IV) ferumoxytol appears to lead to greater improvements in haemoglobin at delivery and more frequent resolution of anaemia compared with oral ferrous sulfate, according to an open-label randomized controlled trial.

In postmenopausal women receiving treatment with tirzepatide for overweight or obesity, concurrent use of hormone therapy confers greater reduction in weight as well as improvement in cardiometabolic outcomes, according to a retrospective cohort study.