Health

Story highlights It's no joking matter; having more sex is good for you Sex can improve memory, mood, sleep, intimacy, immunity and heart health (CNN)"I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself." This old wisecrack is credited to American late-night talk show host and comedian Johnny Carson. Sorry, Johnny, it may be funny, but you've got it wrong. Although giving up unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking and rich food will certainly improve your health, giving up sex will not. In fact, when you're in a healthy relationship, sex is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Here are 10 reasons why. It eases stress. Does your relationship need a 'love drug'? If you're stressed, sex may be the last thing on your mind. But if you can get in the mood, sex is a great stress-reliever. The act of sex floods your brain with all sorts of feel-good chemicals while reducing the stress hormone … [Read more...] about 10 health benefits of having more sex

(CNN)The woman at the center of a landmark legal victory against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson over defective vaginal mesh implants said the battle has been won "but the war will still go on." Julie Davis is one of three women named in the Australian class action lawsuit on behalf of thousands of women who suffered serious complications with the implants -- surgical devices that are used to repair pelvic organ prolapse and treat incontinence, usually after childbirth. The implants caused many victims chronic pain, bleeding, tissue and organ damage, incontinence, mental stress, and left many unable to have sex or walk. Many women suffered mesh erosion, which is where the implant cuts into other parts of the body. It's a global issue. Hundreds of thousands of women in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Europe have reported debilitating problems with the mesh, and have taken legal action against manufacturers. The US, Australia, and New Zealand have banned the … [Read more...] about Fight is not over, says winner of vaginal mesh implant court victory

Story highlights FDA: Root cause of the five deaths not known yet All five had gotten liquid-filled balloons placed in stomach to aid weight loss Five people who were using an obesity treatment that places balloons inside their stomachs have died since 2016, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. Four of the deaths involved people using the Orbera Intragastric Balloon System and one involved ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon System, the agency said. "At this time, we do not know the root cause or incidence rate of patient death, nor have we been able to definitively attribute the deaths to the devices or the insertion procedures for these devices," the FDA said in a safety alert issued Thursday. The five people died within a month or less of having the balloons inserted. Three died one to three days after the balloon placement. Weight-loss balloon helps shed twice the weight, study says The agency is also reviewing two additional deaths, one from each … [Read more...] about 5 deaths reported while using weight loss balloon treatment, FDA says

Story highlights Natural Cycles app tracks a woman's fertile days and suggests when to use contrapection The Annovera vaginal ring protects against pregnancy for one year (CNN)An app designed to track fertility and prevent pregnancy in women 18 and older is the first to win US Food and Drug Administration approval to be marketed as a contraceptive, the agency announced Friday. The Natural Cycles app was approved as part of the agency's new Digital Health Innovation Action Plan, designed to fast track approval for new low-to-moderate-risk devices. "This new app can provide an effective method of contraception if it's used carefully and correctly," said Dr. Terri Cornelison, assistant director for the health of women in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in a statement. "But women should know that no form of contraception works perfectly, so an unplanned pregnancy could still result from correct usage of this device." Also Friday, the FDA announced approval of … [Read more...] about FDA approves 1st birth control app, long-term vaginal contraception ring

Story highlights The Obalon system involves swallowing balloon-filled capsules to curb overeating A study found that obese people lose twice as much weight as diet and lifestyle changes If you're struggling to lose a serious amount of weight, imagine you had a weight loss option that helped more than diet and exercise, but wasn't as invasive as gastric surgery. Enter the Obalon balloon system, a new treatment that involves swallowing balloon-filled capsules to curb overeating. According to new research, it helped obese people shed almost double the weight compared to people who made diet and lifestyle changes alone. The FDA-approved system (slated to hit the market in January) consists of three tiny capsules, each containing an inflatable balloon attached to a catheter. People swallow each of the capsules, three weeks apart, and X-rays are taken to ensure they are in the right spot. Gas is then pumped through the catheter, filling the balloon up. The catheter is removed, and … [Read more...] about Weight-loss balloon helps shed twice the weight, study says