It’s the tip of the 12 months, peeps — and what a 12 months it was.
We’re locking in and bringing good power into the brand new 12 months, so now is an ideal time to replicate again on a number of the HealthyWomen tales and vital issues we discovered about ladies’s well being in 2025 that made us high-five the universe and take a pause from doom scrolling to share with our pals.
Listed below are 5 notable highlights in ladies’s well being dwelling rent-free in our brains into 2026.
2. There’s an FDA-cleared lingerie that protects in opposition to STIs throughout oral intercourse (and it’s cute)
Manifesting works, individuals. Case-in-point: Lorals for Protection, the primary FDA-cleared underwear line that protects in opposition to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) throughout oral intercourse.
The skinny and stretchy latex design reduces the transmission of bodily fluids and dangerous pathogens that may occur throughout oral contact. Every pair is full protection for vaginal and anal enjoyable, and matches like an everyday pair of underwear.
Lastly: a straightforward, attractive strategy to shield your self throughout oral intercourse. Your transfer, dental dam.
3. Contraception drugs can stop endometrial most cancers in individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
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When you or somebody has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it’s vital to notice that taking birth control pills can lower the danger of endometrial most cancers.
In considered one of our Actual Ladies, Actual Tales this 12 months, Kayla Nixon shared that she discovered about the advantages of contraception for individuals with PCOS solely after she was identified with most cancers.
“When the oncologist requested if I’d ever gotten on contraception for my PCOS, he instructed me that I ought to have — as a result of it might have prevented the most cancers from creating. If I’d recognized this, I might have taken that step, and I additionally want I’d recognized I had PCOS earlier so I might have had extra time to take motion.”
Read: I Was Told I Was Too Young to Have Endometrial Cancer — but I Did >>
4. Native vaginal estrogen is protected for individuals with a historical past of breast most cancers
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For ladies with hormone-positive breast most cancers — the most typical sort of breast most cancers within the U.S. — estrogen is the enemy. However estrogen retains your vagina wholesome and lubricated, and with out it, signs like dryness, burning and ache throughout intercourse could be life-altering.
However not all estrogen is created equal. Vaginal estrogen remedy to deal with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is localized, which means the therapy solely impacts the vaginal space — not the whole physique. And a 2025 review of greater than 5,000 research confirmed that ladies with a historical past of breast most cancers who used native vaginal estrogen didn’t enhance their danger of recurrence for breast most cancers.
The overview made headlines and put vaginal estrogen remedy within the highlight and reminded us that vaginal estrogen is an possibility.
Read: More Research Shows Vaginal Estrogen Is Safe for People with a History of Breast Cancer >>
5. Monotasking is the brand new multitasking
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Most of us affiliate multitasking with being productive. Who doesn’t store for groceries, reply work emails and speak to their mom on the cellphone whereas strolling the canine?
Sadly, the extra you’re making an attempt to do, the extra possible you’re inflicting hurt to your mind. Over time, multitasking can cut back your consideration span, hurt your working reminiscence and stress your mind out, which might result in critical well being issues.
One thought: Monotasking. Science says our brains are designed to give attention to one factor at a time.
We all know this sounds not possible. But it surely’s value a attempt. Simply remind your self in regards to the time that you simply bought 44 pineapples, emailed your boss the unsuitable report and let your canine roll round within the mud. Your mother continues to be speaking about it.
