Japan allows over-the-counter emergency contraception pill for the first time

Japan allows over-the-counter emergency contraception pill for the first time

Japan has for the first time approved over-the-counter sales of an emergency contraceptive pill, its manufacturer says, allowing women in the country to take the medication without prescription. ASKA Pharmaceutical said wider access to the pill would “empower Japanese women in the area of reproductive health”. A date for it to go on sale has … Read more

‘Being prescribed time at the coast helped me back into work’

‘Being prescribed time at the coast helped me back into work’

BBC Kelly Pardy’s eight-week nature prescription included snorkelling and rock-pooling Kelly Pardy was born with juvenile macular degeneration – a visual impairment that affects her central vision. The impact of the condition became particularly challenging when she became unemployed for a period of time. However, a referral to a “blue” social prescribing scheme in 2023 … Read more

Bihar SIR hearing LIVE: Supreme Court to hear pleas first time after release of final electoral rolls

Bihar SIR hearing LIVE: Supreme Court to hear pleas first time after release of final electoral rolls

Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for the conduct of elections to Parliament and State legislature shall vest with the EC. Article 326 provides that every citizen who is not less than 18 years of age shall be entitled to be registered as … Read more

Human skin DNA fertilised to make embryo for first time

Human skin DNA fertilised to make embryo for first time

James GallagherHealth and science correspondent OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks US scientists have, for the first time, made early-stage human embryos by manipulating DNA taken from people’s skin cells and then fertilising it with sperm. The technique could overcome infertility due to old age or disease, by using almost any cell in the body as the starting … Read more

5 Live News Specials – That Time of the Month: Vaginismus – BBC Sounds

5 Live News Specials – That Time of the Month: Vaginismus – BBC Sounds

Available for over a year Naga is joined by singer-songwriter Lucy Wroe to talk about vaginismus. It’s a condition which causes the vagina to suddenly tighten up when you try to insert something into it, for example using a tampon or having sex. It can be extremely painful and upsetting and it can impact your … Read more

Huntington’s disease successfully treated for first time

Huntington’s disease successfully treated for first time

James GallagherHealth and science correspondent BBC/Fergus Walsh Professors Ed Wild and Sarah Tabrizi led the UK part of the trial One of the cruellest and most devastating diseases – Huntington’s – has been successfully treated for the first time, say doctors. The disease runs through families, relentlessly kills brain cells and resembles a combination of … Read more