AHA News: Treatment to Ward Off Stroke Less Effective in Women

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Women are at higher risk for stroke and have different stroke symptoms than men. Now, new research suggests another difference: less benefit from a surgery used to treat carotid artery disease, a key risk factor for stroke.

The disease, also called carotid stenosis, is marked by fatty deposits, called plaque, that build up inside the neck arteries and increase stroke risk. Surgery to remove the plaque, a procedure called an endarterectomy, is used to reduce this risk. The researchers found that among participants with symptoms from the plaque buildup, endarterectomy was more effective in men, with 11.1% of women having a stroke within five years of the surgery, compared to 8.9% of men.

It May Be Even Tougher for Women to Quit Smoking Than Men

TUESDAY, Oct. 29, 2019 -- Smoking is a notoriously tough habit to quit, but a new study suggests it is far harder for women to stop than it is for men.

Why? The researchers point to a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression in women, which might interfere with even the best intentions to kick the habit. And one expert noted that prior evidence has shown that women's brains react differently to nicotine.

Is Your Pelvic Pain a Sign of Endometriosis?

THURSDAY, Sept. 12, 2019 -- Women with pelvic pain should consider the possibility of endometriosis and discuss it with their doctor, an expert in gynecology says.

While pelvic pain can be a sign of many conditions, endometriosis is among the most common. It occurs when cells from the lining of the uterus grow into other areas of the body. The condition affects one in 10 women of reproductive age, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Germ Transplant Helps Women With Tough-to-Treat Vaginal Infections

MONDAY, Oct. 7, 2019 -- Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection in women that's usually easily treated with antibiotics. But for those who develop recurrent infections, treatment options have been limited.

Now, Israeli researchers report they were able to put recurrent infections into remission in four out of five women who received a "vaginal microbiome transplant." The transplant consisted of healthy bacteria collected from the vaginal fluid of donors without the condition, the researchers explained.

'Self-Silencing' Can Be Potentially Deadly for Women

TUESDAY, Sept. 24, 2019 -- Do you rarely express anger at those close to you? Is it difficult for you to reveal negative feelings in your relationships?

New research suggests that might make you more vulnerable to having a stroke.