Relationship, sex news

3:39 PM CDT, June 17, 2013

Blood tests could detect sexually-transmitted oral cancers

Antibodies to a high-risk type of a virus that causes mouth and throat cancers when transmitted via oral sex can be detected in blood tests many years before onset of the disease, according to a World Health Organisation-led team of researchers.

3:03 PM CDT, June 17, 2013

Jury finds no negligence in trial over man's 8-month erection

A jury on Monday cleared a doctor of negligence in a lawsuit filed by a Delaware truck driver who underwent a penile implant procedure and ended up with an erection that lasted eight months.

4:26 PM CDT, June 16, 2013

Molestation cases highlight patients' potential vulnerability in exam room

After being accused of improperly touching two patients during treatment procedures, Winter Garden acupuncturist Ragu Nath was recently banned by state health officials from treating females by himself.

9:06 PM CDT, June 14, 2013

State restores license of abortion doctor; 2 others' still suspended

A state panel restored the license of the doctor who is medical director of a group of abortion clinics accused by state regulators of putting women's health at risk, while the licenses of two other physicians who worked at the clinics remain suspended.

4:45 PM CDT, June 13, 2013

Did menopause arise because men prefer younger women?

Thanks a lot, guys: According to new research, your preference for younger mates could have caused menopause to arise in women.

8:37 PM CDT, June 12, 2013

Drugs halve HIV risk for intravenous drug users in study

A daily dose of powerful anti-HIV medicine helped cut the risk of infection with the virus by 49 percent in intravenous drug users in a Bangkok study that showed for the first time such a preventive step can work in this high-risk population.

3:28 PM CDT, June 7, 2013

Unclean colonoscopy instruments: 3 in 20 have 'dirt' from colons

Bits and pieces of "biological dirt" from inside people's colons are being left on three in 20 of the instruments inserted in people's rectums to examine their lower digestive tract, according to a study at five hospitals nationwide.

12:51 PM CDT, June 7, 2013

Sexual problems may linger after rape

Rape victims treated with psychotherapy are still more than twice as likely to have sexual difficulties and pelvic pain than unvictimized women, according to a new study.

4:10 PM CDT, June 6, 2013

The Pill tied to lower ovarian cancer risk

Women who use birth control pills are less likely to develop ovarian cancer later in life, a new analysis of past studies suggests.

5:10 PM CDT, June 5, 2013

U.S. sale of some 'morning-after' pills to all ages allowed

A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday said that some emergency contraception pills now can be sold over-the-counter without age restrictions while the federal government fights a lower court judge's order allowing unrestricted sales.

8:00 AM CDT, June 5, 2013

Infertility due to old eggs? An anti-aging pioneer ponders solutions

One of the many ways in which humans' evolved characteristics clash with a fast-changing post-industrial society can be seen in the female egg.

3:14 PM CDT, May 30, 2013

Some common prescriptions linked to impotence

Tranquilizers known as benzodiazepines and certain older antidepressants are linked with a greater chance of having erectile dysfunction (ED), according to a new survey.

7:00 AM CDT, May 29, 2013

Who lies more about sex, men or women?

Ever have that awkward talk with a romantic partner about your sexual history — about how old you were when you lost your virginity and how many people you've had sex with? Did you tell the truth?

11:10 AM CDT, May 24, 2013

C-sections tied to child obesity

More babies born via cesarean section grow up to be heavy kids and teens than those delivered vaginally, according to a new study of more than 10,000 UK infants.

9:30 AM CDT, May 16, 2013

Breakup might be easier with sad music

Just got dumped? Researchers say you are more likely to turn to “I Knew You Were Trouble” than “Call Me Maybe.”

4:39 PM CDT, May 15, 2013

HPV-related throat cancers multiplying

It is well known that HPV (human papillomavirus) can lead to deadly cervical cancer in women, but the virus is causing cancer in men as well. Throat cancers caused by HPV are showing up typically in men with little or no history of smoking, said Dr. Kevin J. Cullen, an oncologist who specializes in treating head and neck cancers. Cullen, the director of the University of Maryland's Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, talks about the growing cases of HPV-related throat cancers.

4:04 PM CDT, May 8, 2013

Could vaginal delivery be safer for preemies?

Very premature babies have fewer breathing problems when they're born through vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section, a new study of more than 20,000 newborns suggests.

3:09 PM CDT, May 9, 2013

HPV-related cancers rose before vaccines hit market

The number of some cancers related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) increased throughout the U.S. before vaccines against the sexually transmitted infection were available, says to a new study.

1:01 PM CDT, May 8, 2013

Dietary supplement contained erectile dysfunction drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced the recall of several dietary supplements that contain the undeclared drug tadalafil, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction.

11:49 AM CDT, May 6, 2013

Pfizer to sell Viagra online, take on counterfeit pills

Pfizer Inc. will begin selling its popular erectile dysfunction pill Viagra to patients on its website, in an unusual move to combat counterfeit drugs.

7:32 PM CDT, May 5, 2013

Hoag Hospital to stop performing elective abortions

In a letter to affiliated physicians and staff, Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach has announced that elective abortions will no longer be performed at the hospital.

7:05 AM CDT, May 2, 2013

Lipstick's allure may come with heavy metal price

The quest for lusher, ruby-red lips may be exposing women to dangerous metals, including cadmium, a highly toxic element linked with renal failure, a UC Berkeley study suggests.

10:28 AM CDT, May 2, 2013

Most women back over-the-counter birth control pill

Close to two-thirds of women favor making contraceptive pills available over the counter, according to a new nationally-representative survey.

8:06 AM CDT, May 1, 2013

FDA approves Plan B for girls as young as 15

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday said it would allow the Plan B One-Step contraceptive to be sold without a prescription to girls as young as 15 years of age.

4:00 PM CDT, April 30, 2013

Jury weighs fate of abortion doctor in murder trial

A Philadelphia jury ended its first day of deliberations on Tuesday without reaching verdicts in the murder trial of a doctor accused of killing babies and a patient during late-term abortions at a clinic serving low-income women.

9:44 PM CDT, April 29, 2013

Task force calls for routine HIV testing for all adults

An influential U.S. panel is calling for HIV screening for all Americans aged 15 to 65, regardless of whether they are considered to be at high risk, a change that may help lift some of the stigma associated with HIV testing.

11:09 PM CDT, April 28, 2013

In abortion debate, both sides point to Philadelphia trial

The Philadelphia abortion clinic that prosecutors called a "house of horrors" is now being cited as powerful evidence by both abortion and anti-abortion rights groups.

4:51 PM CDT, April 25, 2013

Sickle cell disease accounts for many priapism cases

Thanks to commercials for erectile dysfunction drugs, men know to seek medical attention for "erections lasting more than four hours," but a new study suggests a blood disorder is the cause of many prolonged erections.

1:11 PM CDT, April 25, 2013

U.S.-backed HIV vaccine fails; study halted

The National Institutes of Health on Thursday halted a study testing an experimental HIV vaccine after an independent review board found the vaccine did not prevent HIV infection and did not reduce the amount of HIV in the blood.

April 24, 2013

Questions remain after judge lifts age limit on Plan B

With a federal judge clearing away age restrictions on purchasing emergency contraception, many Chicago-area health care providers, teens and others are preparing for more accessibility — even if they're not exactly sure how the drug will be made available.

4:38 PM CDT, April 18, 2013

Oklahoma dental patients diagnosed with hepatitis C, HIV

Dozens of Oklahoma dental patients have been diagnosed with hepatitis C and at least one case of HIV, state health officials said Thursday, four weeks after finding a multitude of health code violations, including rusty tools, at a dental practice in Tulsa.

11:14 AM CDT, April 12, 2013

Black women may gain more weight with contraceptives

Black women were the most likely to gain weight while using a long-acting form of contraception, such as a hormone implant or intrauterine device (IUD), in a small new study.

8:54 PM CDT, April 11, 2013

The misunderstood IUD

Most women had inaccurate perceptions about the safety and effectiveness of intrauterine devices (IUDs) in preventing pregnancy, including not knowing that IUDs are more effective contraceptives than birth control pills, researchers said.

3:46 PM CDT, April 9, 2013

IUDs safe, effective for teenagers: study

Intrauterine devices are safe for teenagers, according to a new analysis of more than 90,000 women who used the long-term contraceptives.

12:43 AM CDT, April 10, 2013

Prostitution policy splits NGOs in top court AIDS case

A Supreme Court case that challenges a law requiring anti-prostitution policies for HIV/AIDS programs seeking federal money has generated a split among nonprofit groups that counsel sex workers overseas.

1:07 AM CDT, April 10, 2013

Arkansas Senate aims to cut off state funds to abortion providers

The Republican-led Arkansas Senate, in the latest statehouse swipe at abortion providers around the country, approved a bill on Tuesday that sponsors said was aimed at cutting off the last vestiges of state funding to groups such as Planned Parenthood.

7:00 AM CDT, April 6, 2013

Teen contraception decision: Doctors say science trumps politics

Science trumped politics, but politics may still present problems for teens trying to purchase emergency contraception.

5:22 PM CDT, April 5, 2013

U.S. judge widens 'morning-after' pill access for young girls

A federal judge on Friday ordered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make "morning-after" emergency contraception pills available without a prescription to all girls of reproductive age and criticized the Obama administration for interfering with the process for political purposes.

8:30 AM CDT, April 4, 2013

More Americans are living together before marriage, study finds

Americans are increasingly saying “I do” to living together before marriage, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, cohabitation is now more common among younger women than living with a spouse or living alone.

6:42 PM CDT, April 3, 2013

Lawyer defends record of Oklahoma dentist in HIV-exposure scare

A lawyer for an Oklahoma oral surgeon accused of using improper sterilization procedures and rusty surgical tools that may have exposed patients to HIV and hepatitis said on Wednesday his client had an impeccable record and provided dedicated care.

9:22 PM CDT, April 2, 2013

Alabama Senate passes bill tightening rules for abortion clinics

The Alabama Senate passed an abortion bill on Tuesday critics say would limit access to the procedure with stricter requirements for clinics that provide it.

The Senate passed the bill on a vote of 22-10, after the House passed a similar bill in February. A committee will reconcile the two bills before the proposed legislation goes to the Alabama Governor, Dr. Robert Bentley, who is expected to sign it into law.

7:20 PM CDT, April 2, 2013

1,200 dental patients in Oklahoma screened for HIV

About 1,200 patients have been screened for exposure to HIV and hepatitis in Oklahoma after authorities found a Tulsa dentist using improper sterilization procedures and rusty surgical tools, a public health official said on Tuesday.

1:19 PM CDT, March 21, 2013

Pediatricians' group: gay marriage fosters child health

The influential American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended legalizing gay marriage on the grounds that it fosters the good health and well-being of children.

1:58 PM CDT, March 20, 2013

Vaginal products popular, some linked to infections

Two thirds of women in a new U.S. study reported regularly using cleansers, lubricants or petroleum jelly intravaginally — and some of the products were linked to a higher chance of common vaginal infections.

6:45 PM CDT, March 15, 2013

North Dakota Senate approves 'heartbeat' abortion ban

The North Dakota Senate approved what would be the most restrictive abortion law in the United States on Friday, a measure banning the procedure in most cases once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, as early as six weeks.

3:42 PM CDT, March 15, 2013

Knot Yet: Getting married later can have economic costs, benefits

Americans are getting married at ever-older ages, and a new report says this trend may be partly responsible for the shrinking of the middle class.

4:42 PM CDT, March 14, 2013

Many poor heterosexuals in U.S. cities at risk for HIV

Roughly 2 percent of 8,500 poor heterosexuals living in U.S. cities with high rates of HIV infection tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS, and nearly half of those who were infected said they had never been tested before the study, health officials said on Thursday.

3:21 PM CDT, March 12, 2013

Breastfeeding may not ward off child obesity

Breastfeeding does not seem to protect babies against becoming overweight or obese kids, a large, new study says.

11:35 AM CDT, March 12, 2013

Omega-3 DHA may prevent earliest preemies

For pregnant women, supplements of an omega-3 fatty acid called Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may help to reduce the likelihood of giving birth very prematurely, according to a new study.

March 13, 2013

Teen dating violence leaves scars, experts say

Sheela Raja remembers treating a victim of teen dating violence who at first felt too ashamed to talk about the experience. Instead, the victim buried the trauma in alcohol until she finally opened up during therapy.

3:10 PM CST, March 8, 2013

Even for sperm, there is a season

Autumn is the time of year most associated with bumper crops of new babies, and that may be because human sperm are generally at their healthiest in winter and early spring, according to a new study from Israel.

6:33 PM CST, March 6, 2013

U.S. doctor's 'gutsy' move led to baby's cure from HIV

The doctor who cured an HIV infected baby for the first time is happier talking to children than to adults and is finding all the attention since the news came out a little overwhelming.

5:49 PM CST, March 6, 2013

Women should be concerned about low libido

Low libido can not only ruin a women's sex life but could also cause her to miss out on some key health benefits. Dr. Valerie Omicioli, a certified menopause practitioner and clinical assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said that low sexual desire is something that women should not ignore.

March 6, 2013

Northwestern study finds new moms at far more risk for OCD

Shortly after Dr. Dana Gossett gave birth to her first daughter 13 years ago, she began agonizing over worst-case scenarios familiar to any new mother.

2:50 PM CST, March 5, 2013

HIV linked to higher chance of heart attack

People with HIV are almost 50 percent more likely to have a heart attack than those who aren't infected with the virus - even after taking into account their other health risks, according to a new study.

6:14 PM CST, March 3, 2013

More iron linked to reduced risk of severe PMS

Women who get a little more than the recommended daily amount of iron in their diets may be less likely to get a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), according to a U.S. study.

3:11 PM CST, February 27, 2013

U.S. gay couples report poorer health than straight married counterparts

Gay and lesbian couples living together report poorer health than straight married couples, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday, speculating that legalizing same-sex marriage could reduce the disparities.

3:33 PM CST, February 21, 2013

Most women misunderstand IUD birth control

In a new survey, most women had inaccurate perceptions about the safety and effectiveness of intrauterine devices (IUDs) in preventing pregnancy, say U.S. researchers, who urge doctors to talk more about the benefits of the devices.

2:42 PM CST, February 20, 2013

Stress and anxiety linked to sperm quality

A man's ability to produce sperm may depend on his ability to handle stress, according to a new study from Italy.

6:33 PM CST, February 20, 2013

Prolonged bladder pain?

For 15 years, Lauren Stutman sought relief from her debilitating bladder pain. She saw more than 10 doctors, many of whom would assume she had a urinary tract infection and send her away with Ciproflaxin.

2:52 PM CST, February 15, 2013

Estrogen alternative eases sex pain for older women

A daily dose of ospemifene, an estrogen-like drug, helped lessen pain during intercourse caused by vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women, in a new study.

3:41 PM CST, February 13, 2013

Vitamin D supplement labels may be inaccurate

The amount of vitamin D in some supplements may be either much lower or much higher than what's written on the label, according to a new analysis.

1:21 PM CST, February 14, 2013

Male circumcision tied to less sexual pleasure

Men circumcised either as children or adults report less intense sexual pleasure and orgasm than their uncircumcised counterparts, according to a new study from Belgium.

7:17 PM CST, February 11, 2013

Teen births hit record lows in U.S. in 2011: study

The number of U.S. babies born to teen mothers dropped to record lows in 2011, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

11:13 PM CST, February 3, 2013

Bullying declines for LGB youth over time

It does get better for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth, according to a new study of the name calling, threats and violence faced by teens in England.

February 9, 2013

Heartbreak can take a physical toll

Hope Rising (yes, her real name) says that the day she watched her husband pull out of their driveway for the last time, she collapsed, clutching her stomach in pain.

7:30 AM CST, February 6, 2013

Heavy drinking, 'incompatible' drinking tied to divorce, study says

Here’s something to ponder if and when you and your spouse make your Valentine’s Day toasts this year: when it comes to drinking — as in so many other facets of marriage — compatibility may be key to keeping couples together.

6:37 PM CST, February 6, 2013

Fetal test creates options, uncertainty

When Ramona Burton became pregnant with her second child this year, the 37-year-old knew that her age put her baby at an elevated risk for Down syndrome, even though screening with ultrasound and standard blood tests raised no warning flags.

5:00 PM CST, February 4, 2013

Sperm count low among couch potatoes, study finds

For those men who are looking to boost their sperm count, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health have some simple advice: drop the TV remote control and get to the gym.

6:29 PM CST, February 1, 2013

Obama offers compromise on birth control health coverage

The Obama administration sought to settle a dispute with religious leaders over whether employees at faith-affiliated universities and hospitals should have access to health insurance coverage for contraceptives.

8:00 AM CST, January 29, 2013

Straight men more stressed, depressed than gay men, study says

A Canadian study on anxiety and sexual orientation suggests that heterosexual men suffer more depression and higher levels of stress than gay and bisexual men.

4:03 PM CST, January 23, 2013

Ob-gyns sound alarm on 'contraceptive sabotage'

Doctors should ask teen girls and women whether their partners are trying to force them to get pregnant or otherwise "reproductively coercing" them, according to a group of ob-gyns.

2:59 PM CST, January 15, 2013

Caffeine linked to leaky bladder in men

The amount of caffeine that's typically found in two cups of coffee may contribute to a man's incontinence, according to a new study.

4:23 PM CST, January 11, 2013

Supreme Court to review free speech of HIV/AIDS groups

The Supreme Court agreed to consider whether the government can require groups that receive federal funding for overseas HIV/AIDS programs to have explicit policies that oppose prostitution and sex trafficking.