A new study from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, published in journal Menopause, finds self-pleasure is a valuable care strategy for managing menopause symptoms, especially mood and sleep changes. Most women are open to trying it, yet few say their doctors have ever mentioned it. Among a demographically representative sample of 1,178 women ages 40 to 65 in the United States, researchers found that around 1 in 10 participants were currently using masturbation as a means of managing their symptoms. An even larger proportion reported having noticed positive effects of self-pleasure on a wide range of menopausal symptoms. Notably, masturbation and partnered sex were among the highest- rated strategies in terms of symptom relief.

Regional anesthesia—typically with a spinal or epidural block—has long been favored for cesarean births due in part to concerns about the effects that general anesthesia may have on newborns during labor and delivery. Powerful societal pressures also push the idea that mothers need to be awake during delivery to witness the first cry and capture the ‘perfect’ birth moment. But for some women who undergo a cesarean birth, the pain can become excruciating, even after they received a spinal or epidural block. Now, new research from a team at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, finds that general anesthesia may be a reasonable alternative for many patients. The findings are published today in Anesthesiology, the peer-reviewed medical journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Nov. 12, 2025)—Postmenopausal women are especially vulnerable to hypertension, which is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Women transitioning through or past the menopause transition are also more likely to report sleep disturbances (shorter sleep duration, trouble sleeping, or obstructive sleep apnea). A new study suggests sleep-related disorders in postmenopausal women may increase their risk of hypertension. Results of the study are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Public Library of Science (PLOS) today announced the launch of two journals, PLOS Aging and Health and PLOS Ecosystems. Both journals are grounded in our commitment to rigor and research integrity of the highest standard and our open science principles, which facilitates greater reproducibility, faster scientific progress, and broader access to knowledge. In addition, both journals are underpinned by our Flat Fee model that is designed to shift the cost from researchers to an institutional annual fee, which enables institutions to provide unlimited publishing opportunities for their researchers across participating journals.

A new study from Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University reveals that sons born to mothers with type 1 diabetes may develop early vascular dysfunction – independently of metabolic health. The finding may help shape future strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease early in life.