Owning Space

Welcome to this week’s Women’s Health Weekly, a bite-sized round-up of some of the latest research, news and developments shaping women’s health.This week, we’re exploring whether extreme heat could increase the risk of premature birth, why autistic people may experience menopause differently, and how menstrual blood could become a valuable source of medical information.IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODEExtreme Heat & PregnancyA major Reuters investigation examines millions of birth records from Mexico and finds an association between extreme heat exposure and premature birth.Why the reported 18% relative increase in premature births matters, and why the findings don’t establish that heat directly causes premature delivery.How climate change, working conditions and unequal access to cooling could affect maternal health.Autism & MenopauseNew research involving 901 participants explores differences in menopausal experiences between autistic and non-autistic people.Why autistic participants reported more severe menopause symptoms, greater anxiety and depression, and poorer quality of life.How sensory sensitivities, masking and gaps in personalised healthcare may affect the menopause experience, and what researchers still need to understand.The Science of Period BloodWhy scientists are investigating menstrual fluid as a potential source of biological information.How researchers are exploring menstrual blood biomarkers for conditions including endometriosis.The potential for less invasive diagnostic approaches, alongside the important limitations of research that is still developing.RESEARCH & FURTHER READING1. Extreme Heat & Premature BirthReuters, 30 October 2026.An investigation examining the relationship between extreme heat exposure and premature births in Mexico, highlighting the potential implications of climate change for maternal health.Read the investigation and methodology2. Autism & MenopauseAutism in Adulthood, 27 October 2026.Research exploring menopausal symptoms & Autism 3. The Science of Period BloodAllure, 30 October 2026.An exploration of emerging research into menstrual blood as a source of biological information, including its potential role in developing diagnostic tests for reproductive health conditions.Read the articleFollow Owning Space wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next Women’s Health Weekly, released every Monday morning.If you’re enjoying the podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It helps more people discover these conversations.For more conversations around women’s health, our bodies and the stories that deserve more space, follow @owningspacepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.And if there’s a story, study or development you think I should cover in a future episode, or a subject you’d like me to explore in more depth, drop me a message.Until next week, keep taking up space. 💛#WomensHealth #MaternalHealth #AutismAndMenopause #MenstrualHealth #WomensHealthResearch

Welcome to this week’s Women’s Health Weekly, a bite-sized round-up of some of the latest research, news and developments shaping women’s health.This week, we’re exploring new research into the relationship between endometriosis pain and fertility, why recovery between pregnancies could matter for long-term health, and what the evidence actually tells us about testosterone therapy for women.IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODEEndometriosis & Fertility​New research involving over 1,000 women explores whether the severity of endometriosis-related pelvic pain is associated with live birth outcomes.​Why more severe pain doesn’t necessarily mean poorer fertility outcomes, and what researchers are still investigating.Postpartum Recovery & Biological Ageing​Emerging research explores how pregnancy affects biological ageing and how the body recovers after childbirth.​Could the time between pregnancies influence long-term maternal health? We look at the evidence and its limitations. Testosterone Therapy for Women​Why testosterone prescribing is increasing among women, particularly around menopause.​What clinical research supports, where the evidence remains limited, and why long-term safety matters.RESEARCH & FURTHER READING​ Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain & Pregnancy OutcomesBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24 October 2026.An observational study examining associations between pelvic pain severity and reproductive outcomes in women with endometriosis, including those conceiving naturally and through assisted reproductive technology.Read the research⁠​ Postpartum Recovery & Biological AgeingTrends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 23 October 2026.Researchers explore the recovery period hypothesis, proposing that the body’s biological recovery following pregnancy could have implications for long-term maternal health. Further research is needed to establish whether the proposed relationship exists.Read the research summary⁠​ Testosterone Therapy for WomenJAMA, 23 October 2026.A medical news analysis examining rising testosterone prescribing among women, the evidence for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and unanswered questions about wider benefits and long-term safety.Read the article⁠Follow Owning Space⁠ wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next Women’s Health Weekly, released every Monday morning.If you’re enjoying the podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It helps more people discover these conversations.For more conversations around women’s health, our bodies and the stories that deserve more space, follow @owningspacepodcast⁠ on Instagram and TikTok.And if there’s a story, study or development you think I should cover in a future episode, or a subject you’d like me to explore in more depth, drop me a message.Until next week, keep taking up space. 💛#WomensHealth #Endometriosis #PostpartumHealth #Menopause #WomensHealthResearch

Content warning: This episode includes discussions of grief, bereavement, death by suicide and the loss of a loved one. Please listen with care.In this episode, I sit down with Madalena (Mady) Miles, a feminine embodiment and somatic practitioner, to explore grief, loss and what it means to learn to live alongside it.After losing her brother to suicide almost three years ago, Mady has navigated the complexities of bereavement and the profound ways grief can change our relationship with ourselves, our bodies and the people around us.We discuss the emotional and physical impact of grief, how loss can reshape friendships and priorities, and why the people around us don't always know how to respond when someone is grieving. Mady shares her personal experiences of navigating guilt, difficult emotions and the expectations that can come with loss, particularly following a death by suicide.We also explore why grief isn't something we can simply fix or move on from, the pressure to heal on someone else's timeline, and how we can better support people who are grieving without trying to take away their pain.Drawing on her work as a somatic practitioner, Mady discusses the connection between grief and the body, and why movement, community and shared experiences can offer meaningful spaces for processing loss. We also talk about the grief circles she's creating and the importance of having spaces where people can come together without judgement or expectations.This is a deeply personal and honest conversation about love, loss, the complexities of grief and learning to make space for it in our lives.Find out more about Mady and her work:Website: www.embodied-alchemy.co.ukInstagram: @madalena.alchemyIf you're enjoying Owning Space, follow the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you don't miss future episodes. It really helps the show grow.Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @owningspacepodcast

Welcome to this week’s Women’s Health Weekly, a bite-sized round-up of some of the latest research, news and developments shaping women’s health.This week, I’m looking at new research revealing how women with autoimmune conditions face greater barriers to diagnosis, a major study uncovering how menopause affects multiple systems throughout the body, and new findings exploring whether an existing medication could help reduce breast cancer risk after pregnancy.IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODEAutoimmune conditions and misdiagnosis: what a study involving more than 6,600 people reveals about differences in how women’s and men’s symptoms are interpreted.Why women are more likely to have autoimmune symptoms attributed to psychological causes, and the impact of delayed diagnoses.Menopause and the body: what an analysis of more than 300 million laboratory tests reveals about biological changes around the final menstrual period.How menopause may involve more abrupt changes than previously understood, and what researchers discovered about menopausal hormone therapy.Breast cancer prevention: new research exploring whether cabergoline, a medication used to suppress milk production, could help reduce breast cancer risk after pregnancy.What researchers found in human health records and animal studies, and why clinical trials are needed before the medication can be considered for cancer prevention.RESEARCH & FURTHER READINGAutoimmune Conditions & Gender Differences in DiagnosisResearch from the University of Cambridge and University of East Anglia examining differences in diagnostic experiences, psychological misdiagnosis and delays in treatment among people with autoimmune conditions.Menopause & the Physiological CliffNature Medicine - Population-scale research examining how menopause affects hormonal, skeletal, liver, kidney and metabolic systems, using more than 300 million laboratory tests.Cabergoline & Breast Cancer PreventionCancer Discovery - Research investigating whether cabergoline, an existing medication used to suppress lactation, could reduce breast cancer risk following pregnancy, with further clinical trials planned.FOLLOW & SUPPORT OWNING SPACEFollow Owning Space wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next Women’s Health Weekly, released every Monday morning.If you’re enjoying the podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It helps more people discover these conversations.For more conversations around women’s health, our bodies and the stories that deserve more space, follow @owningspacepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.And if there’s a story, study or development you think I should cover in a future episode, or a subject you’d like me to explore in more depth, drop me a message.Until next week, keep taking up space. 💛#WomensHealth #AutoimmuneDisease #MenopauseResearch #BreastCancerAwareness #WomensHealthResearch

Welcome to this week’s Women’s Health Weekly, a bite-sized round-up of some of the latest research, news and developments shaping women’s health.This week, I’m looking at a major global study revealing new insights into the gender pain gap, research exploring how sexual and reproductive healthcare can better support women with ADHD, and new findings released for Baby Loss Awareness Week.IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODE​The gender pain gap: what a study involving more than 6.1 million people across 118 countries reveals about women’s experiences of pain.​Why different types of pain follow different patterns throughout our lives, and how new global benchmarks could inform future research.​ADHD and reproductive health: why healthcare needs to better recognise and accommodate the needs of women with ADHD.​What researchers have identified as priorities for improving sexual and reproductive healthcare for women with ADHD.​Baby Loss Awareness Week: new findings from Sands revealing gaps in public understanding of pregnancy and baby loss.​Why greater awareness, better maternity care and bereavement support matter, and how to take part in the global Wave of Light.RESEARCH & FURTHER READINGThe Gender Pain GapNature Medicine - Global research examining patterns of pain across age, sex and different areas of the body.⁠Read the research ADHD & Women’s Sexual and Reproductive HealthcareHealth Expectations - Research exploring priorities for improving sexual and reproductive healthcare for young women with ADHD.⁠Read the researchBaby Loss Awareness Week (9–15 October)Sands - Baby Loss Awareness Week 2026, public awareness findings and information about the global Wave of Light.⁠Read moreFOLLOW & SUPPORT OWNING SPACEFollow Owning Space wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next Women’s Health Weekly, released every Monday morning.If you’re enjoying the podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It helps more people discover these conversations.For more conversations around women’s health, our bodies and the stories that deserve more space, follow @owningspacepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.And if there’s a story, study or development you think I should cover in a future episode, or a subject you’d like me to explore in more depth, drop me a message.Until next week, keep taking up space. 💛#WomensHealth #GenderPainGap #ADHDAwarenessMonth #BabyLossAwarenessWeek #WomensHealthResearch

Welcome to this week’s Women’s Health Weekly, a bite-sized round-up of some of the latest research, news and developments shaping women’s health.This week, I’m looking at new research into why bacterial vaginosis can keep coming back, what medically induced menopause could mean for long-term cardiovascular health, and new evidence around GLP-1 medications and pregnancy.IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODEWhy bacterial vaginosis (BV) can keep coming back after treatment
The role reinfection and the vaginal microbiome may play in recurrent BVMedically induced menopause and long-term cardiovascular health
Why experiencing medically induced menopause before 45 may matter
What new research tells us about GLP-1 medications and pregnancy
Why the early findings are reassuring, but significant evidence gaps remainRESEARCH & FURTHER READINGRecurrent bacterial vaginosis The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health research into recurrent BV and treatment failure
⁠Read the researchResearch summary - recurrent BV, reinfection and treatment
⁠Read the research summaryMedically induced menopause & cardiovascular health
JAMA Network Open – systematic review and meta-analysis of cardiovascular outcomes following iatrogenic menopause
⁠Read the researchGLP-1 medications & pregnancy
International systematic review and expert consensus on GLP-1 receptor agonist use around pregnancy
⁠Read the research summaryFollow Owning Space wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next Women’s Health Weekly, released every Monday morning.For more conversations around women’s health, our bodies and the stories that deserve more space, follow @owningspacepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.And if there’s a story, study or development you think I should cover in a future episode, send it my way.Until next week, keep taking up space. 💛

Welcome back to Owning Space Women’s Health Weekly, your short-form catch-up on the latest women’s health news and research from around the world.This week, I’m looking at a new test that could make investigating womb cancer less invasive, research into the physical health impact of having very large breasts, and what scientists are discovering about the biology behind “pregnancy brain”.IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODE​ A new urine and vaginal fluid test being studied for womb cancerLarge breasts and links with chronic migraine, neck pain and sleep problemsThe science behind “pregnancy brain” and changes in memory during pregnancyA look ahead to some of the women’s health awareness dates coming up in OctoberRESEARCH & FURTHER READINGAs always, all research and sources referenced in the episode are linked below if you’d like to read more.Womb cancer testing University of Manchester – research into a less invasive test using urine and vaginal fluid to help assess women experiencing bleeding after menopause.Read the University of Manchester researchLarge breasts, migraine and other health conditionsWake Forest University School of Medicine – research examining associations between macromastia and chronic migraine, neck pain, sleep apnoea and other neurological conditions.Read the research summaryPregnancy brain and memoryResearch examining how hormonal changes during pregnancy may affect brain pathways involved in memory, including findings from both animal research and pregnant women.Read the Reuters report on the researchIf you’re enjoying Women’s Health Weekly, follow or subscribe to Owning Space wherever you listen so each new episode lands straight in your feed.And if you’ve been enjoying the show, a quick rating or review makes a huge difference and helps more people discover Owning Space.For more women’s health news, updates and conversations, follow @owningspacepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.Until next week, keep taking up space. 💛 #WomensHealth #WomensHealthResearch #WombCancer #PregnancyBrain #Gynaecology

Welcome to Season 2 of Owning Space.Content warning: This episode includes discussions of eating disorders, body image and disordered eating. Please listen with care.To kick off the new season, I sit down with writer and broadcaster Emma-Louise Boynton to explore sex, shame, desire, pleasure and the messages so many women absorb about our bodies and sexuality.We discuss the shame that can surround sex and desire, where it comes from and what can happen when we begin talking openly about the things we’ve been taught to keep quiet. We explore the social conditioning that shapes how women understand their sexuality, what we’re taught makes us desirable and how difficult it can be to separate what we actually want from what we’ve been told we should want.Emma-Louise also speaks openly about her experience with an eating disorder and spending years feeling at war with her body. We talk about body image, intimacy and the relationship we have with ourselves behind closed doors, and how that relationship can affect the way we show up in the rest of our lives.We also explore sexual double standards, the expectations still placed on women, and what it can mean to question those narratives and begin writing our own.This is an open and honest conversation about unlearning shame, reconnecting with our bodies and making space for women to talk about sex, desire and pleasure without judgement.Emma-Louise’s book, Pleasure: The Reclamation of My Body, is out now.Find Emma-Louise on Instagram: @emmalouiseboyntonIf you’re enjoying Owning Space, follow the podcast on Spotify and Apple so you don’t miss future episodes. It really helps the show grow.Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @owningspacepodcastWatch the full video version on YouTube.

Welcome back to Owning Space Women’s Health Weekly, your short-form catch-up on some of the latest research, news and developments shaping women’s health.This week, I’m looking at new developments around a saliva test for endometriosis, research examining differences in the treatment women and men receive for the same health conditions, the growing conversation around testosterone use during menopause, and a major change in access to a breast cancer treatment on the NHS.IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODE​Endometriosis and the potential role of saliva testing in diagnosis​Differences in medical treatment between women and men​Testosterone use during menopause and the gaps in the evidence​NHS access to Enhertu for advanced breast cancerAs always, all research and sources referenced in the episode are linked below if you’d like to read more about any of these topics.RESEARCH & FURTHER READINGEndometriosis saliva testingNICE – guidance and evidence relating to technologies for the rapid diagnosis of endometriosis, including biomarker testing. Technologies for the rapid diagnosis of endometriosisDifferences in treatment between women and men PLOS One – Measured treatment differences between sexes and genders: A scoping review. Researchers found significant sex differences in treatment in 33 of 38 retrospective case series included in the review. ⁠Read the researchTestosterone use in menopausal womenUS Food and Drug Administration – scientific workshop examining the evidence and remaining knowledge gaps around testosterone use in menopausal women, including sexual function, cognition, mood, musculoskeletal health and long-term safety. ⁠ Testosterone Use in Menopausal WomenEnhertu and advanced breast cancerNICE – guidance on trastuzumab deruxtecan, known as Enhertu, for HER2-low advanced or metastatic breast cancer.⁠ NICE guidance on EnhertuIf you’re enjoying Women’s Health Weekly, follow or subscribe to Owning Space wherever you listen so each new episode lands straight with you and you’ll be the first to know whenever a new podcast episode drops.And if you’ve been enjoying the show, a quick rating or review makes a huge difference and helps more people discover Owning Space.For more women’s health news, updates and conversations, follow @owningspacepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.Until next week, keep taking up space. 💛 #WomensHealth #Endometriosis #Menopause #Testosterone #BreastCancer #WomensHealthResearch #GenderHealthGap #NHS #Enhertu #EndometriosisDiagnosis

Welcome back to Owning Space Women’s Health Weekly, your short-form catch-up on some of the latest research, news and developments shaping women’s health.This week, I’m looking at new research into paracetamol use during pregnancy and reproductive development in daughters, what we’re learning about the female brain through menopause, the research gaps that still exist around women’s neurological health, and a new study exploring unmet breastfeeding goals and the support women receive after birth.IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODE​ Paracetamol use during pregnancy and reproductive development​ Brain changes across menopause​ Gaps in research around menopause and neurological health​ Unmet breastfeeding goals and support after birth​ As always, all research and sources referenced in the episode are linked below if you’d like to read more about any of these topics.RESEARCH & FURTHER READINGParacetamol in pregnancy & reproductive developmentHuman Reproduction Open – research examining prenatal paracetamol exposure and reproductive development in infant girls https://doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoag073Female brain changes across puberty, pregnancy & menopauseNature Communications – research using MRI data to examine structural brain changes across major female hormonal transitions.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-76755-2Menopause & neurological healthNature Reviews Neurology – a research roadmap examining how menopause may affect brain health and neurological conditions, and highlighting major gaps in the evidence base. The review notes that around two-thirds of women report cognitive concerns during the menopausal transition.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41582-026-01244-5Breastfeeding goals after full-term birthJAMA Network Open – Met and Unmet Breastfeeding Goals Following Full-Term Deliveries. In the study sample, 40.3% of participants who had stopped breastfeeding had not met the goal they set during pregnancy, and unmet goals were associated with breastfeeding difficulties and less helpful support.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2853807If you’re enjoying Women’s Health Weekly, follow or subscribe to Owning Space wherever you listen so each new episode lands straight with you and you’ll be the first to know whenever a new podcast episode drops.And if you’ve been enjoying the show, a quick rating or review makes a huge difference and helps more people discover Owning Space.For more women’s health news, updates and conversations, follow @owningspacepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.Until next week, keep taking up space. 💛