For many women, miscarriage is a silent heartbreak—a traumatic experience often dismissed as mere bad luck. The emotional toll of pregnancy loss can be devastating, especially when it happens repeatedly. Traditionally, women who experience miscarriage are told it’s a matter of “bad luck,” and many never receive a clear reason for their loss. But new research is changing that narrative, offering hope to women who long for answers—and for a healthy pregnancy.

A recent study published in Science Advances has revealed that an experimental test can predict a woman’s risk of miscarriage by identifying problems in the womb lining before pregnancy even begins. This innovation not only promises to transform how we understand miscarriage but also opens the door to targeted treatments that could help prevent it.

How Does The Test Work?

The process of preparing the womb lining (endometrium) for implantation is called the "decidual reaction." This process enables the endometrium to morph into a receptive environment for embryo implantation. When this transformation doesn’t progress adequately, it can lead to pregnancy loss.

Researchers analyzed over 1,500 biopsies from more than 1,300 women to study the decidual reaction during menstrual cycles. They found that a stalled or abnormal reaction reduced the likelihood of a live birth by 48% to 58%. More importantly, this problem recurred in some women across multiple cycles, suggesting a consistent, underlying cause rather than random chance.

Researchers found that abnormalities in this process can increase miscarriage risk, and that a prior miscarriage significantly raises the odds of such abnormalities in future menstrual cycles. These findings suggest that recurrent miscarriages are not necessarily random or purely genetic but could be linked to persistent issues with the womb lining.

The test is designed to detect whether the endometrium is ready for pregnancy by evaluating specific biological markers. If the reaction is abnormal, targeted treatments can be offered before conception, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Dr. Joanne Muter, lead investigator of the study, states, “Many women are told they’ve just had 'bad luck', but our findings show that the womb itself may be setting the stage for pregnancy loss, even before conception takes place.”

Link Between Previous Miscarriages and Future Risk

One of the study’s most significant findings is that a prior miscarriage can increase the odds of abnormal womb lining responses in future menstrual cycles. This explains why some women experience multiple miscarriages: the underlying issue may persist from one cycle to the next, making each new pregnancy vulnerable to the same fate.

Senior researcher Professor Jan Brosens explains, “This study shows that each miscarriage increases the risk of an embryo implantation in an abnormal womb lining, regardless of age.” Chromosomal errors in embryos remain a factor, but the health of the womb lining is now recognized as a critical, and potentially preventable, contributor to pregnancy loss.

Holly Milikouris and her husband Chris were nearly resigned to a future without children after five unexplained miscarriages. "Being given the opportunity to take part in this trial was life changing," she says. The test identified that her womb was not adequately preparing for pregnancy. After targeted treatment, Holly now has a three-year-old son George and a 17-month-old daughter Heidi.

Dr. Tajinin Islam, a psychiatrist from Chester, also participated in the trial after several failed pregnancies. Today, she is the proud mother of a 16-month-old son, Mivaan. “If I can have a baby over 40, then other women with my condition can too,” she affirms.

Until now, miscarriage has often been attributed to genetic abnormalities in the embryo. While chromosomal errors do account for some cases, this research emphasizes the role of the maternal environment. According to Brosens, “The frequency of one of two events — abnormal embryo or abnormal decidual reaction — determines miscarriage likelihood. We now have the tools to screen for risk and improve womb conditions before pregnancy.”

How It Aligns With Early Fetal Development Monitoring?

The earliest stages of fetal development are delicate and require a stable, supportive environment. From the moment of conception, the embryo relies on the womb lining for nutrients and protection. If the endometrium is not properly prepared, the risk of bleeding and pregnancy loss increases—even if the embryo implants successfully.

Doctors use a combination of blood tests (to monitor hCG and progesterone levels) and ultrasounds to track early fetal development. These tests help confirm that the pregnancy is progressing as expected, but until now, there was no way to assess the womb’s readiness before conception.

The diagnostic test based on this research is already being used in clinical care, with over 1,000 patients benefiting from its insights. By identifying women at risk before pregnancy, doctors can offer targeted therapies—such as hormonal treatments or interventions to improve the endometrial environment—potentially preventing miscarriage before it happens.

Lead investigator Dr. Joanne Muter emphasizes, “This is about identifying preventable miscarriages. Many women are told they’ve just had ‘bad luck’, but our findings show that the womb itself may be setting the stage for pregnancy loss, even before conception takes place.”

Miscarriage will always be a complex and deeply personal experience, but advances like this new test are bringing us closer to understanding—and preventing—many cases of pregnancy loss.

Jesse Eisenberg has opened up about his intention to donate his kidney to a stranger. He deemed the decision as a “no-brainer.” Known for films like Now You See Me, the 42-year-old actor shared the news on the Today show on October 30th, as he explained that he got the "blood donation bug" after participating in a blood drive over the summer.

Eisenberg stated he is scheduled for an altruistic donation, which is also known as a non-directed living donation, in mid-December. This means he is donating his organ to someone he does not know, with the recipient being selected based on medical compatibility.

Eisenberg stands by his decision, emphasizing, “It's essentially risk-free and so needed." He believes more people will realize "it's a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination.”

His reason for saying that donating his kidney is a ‘risk free’ decision is that, after this procedure, through the National Kidney Foundation's family voucher program, his family would be prioritized should if any of them ever need a living kidney donation in the future.

Donating a kidney can help improve the quality of life and survival for the receiver, however there are a few health implications one should keep in mind.

What Happens When You Do A Living Kidney Donation?

The American Kidney Fund explains that a living donation is a kidney transplant where a person who is alive and healthy gives one of their two healthy kidneys to a person with serious kidney disease. Kidneys that come from a living person usually work better and last longer than those that come from someone who has died. There are 2 types of kidney donations:

Non-directed Donation (Altruistic Donation)

This is when the person donating the kidney does not pick the recipient. Instead, they donate the kidney to a stranger. This is often done through a program that helps swap kidneys between people (a paired kidney exchange). Jesse Eisenberg is opting for this method.

Directed Donation

This is when the person donating the kidney chooses the specific person who will receive it, for example, a family member or a close friend.

Who Can Donate A Kidney, Are There Any Benefits?

To be able to donate a kidney while you are alive, you must meet a few requirements:

• You must be 18 years old or older.
• You must have two healthy, working kidneys.
• You must be healthy enough to handle the surgery and recovery.

Most people who donate a kidney can get back to their normal life in about two to four weeks. However, a team of doctors and nurses carefully checks the donor to make sure they understand all the possible physical, emotional, and financial risks.

• You help the person who receives your kidney to live longer and be healthier, and you may even save their life.
• The detailed check-up you go through helps you learn more about your own health.

What Are The Health Risks of Kidney Donation?

Like any surgery, kidney donation also carries physical risks. These can include common issues like pain at the surgical site, feeling weak and tired, or bloating. More serious, though less frequent, risks involve bleeding and the formation of blood clots, problems related to anesthesia such as pneumonia, a blocked bowel, and the possibility of infection. Additionally, donors will have a scar from the surgery and may feel sick to their stomach afterward.

The American Kidney Fund also explains that there may also be some emotional risks involved. Some people feel anxious, stressed, sad (depressed), or guilty if the kidney they gave doesn't work well for the recipient. It is a very noble task to help someone gain a second chance for a better life. Understanding the risks and health implications can help you make the most informed choice. Let your healthcare professionals know about your doubts and worries, as it will help them make the process better for you.

US President Donald Trump recently claimed he had taken an “IQ test,” seemingly mistaking it for a dementia screening exam. Boasting that he achieved a perfect score, he also challenged Democratic representatives Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) to attempt the same test.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, the 79-year-old described the exam as “very hard,” while mocking his opponents as “low IQ” individuals. This mix-up has once again drawn scrutiny to his cognitive health, with experts suggesting the confusion could be a possible sign of dementia.

Donald Trump Mistakes Cognitive Exam For IQ Test

On Monday (October 27), Trump told reporters that he had aced an intelligence test at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. According to The New Republic, the test he referred to is likely the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a short 10-minute screening tool designed to detect early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this, Trump appeared to treat it as an intelligence measure rather than a diagnostic tool.

During his remarks, the Republican challenged Crockett, 44, and Ocasio-Cortez, 36, to take what he called the “IQ test.” “Let Jasmine go against Trump,” he said. “The first couple of questions are easy: a tiger, an elephant, a giraffe, you know. But when you get up to about five or six, and then 10, 20, 25—they couldn’t answer any of them,” he added.

Donald Trump’s Verbal Gaffes

This is not the first time Donald Trump has spoken about the MoCA test in exaggerated terms or made verbal missteps. Back in 2020, he told Fox News that he was asked “30 to 35 questions” of varying difficulty. “They always show you the first one, like a giraffe, a tiger, or a whale—‘Which one is the whale?’ OK. And then it gets harder and harder,” he said at the time, insisting that others had struggled where he had not.

Observers have long noted that Trump’s speeches often include rambling detours and non-sequiturs. “His speeches are full of non sequiturs,” said historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez of Calvin College, who has compared the speaking styles of Trump and Hillary Clinton. “It’s a completely different style from nearly any other politician you normally see on a big stage.”

Is Donald Trump Showing Early Signs of Dementia?

Clinical psychologists Dr. Harry Segal and Dr. John Gartner have expressed concern about the president’s psychomotor performance, suggesting that he may be displaying early indicators of dementia. Speaking in a recent episode of their program Shrinking Trump, Dr. Gartner said, “We’ve been observing a clear decline in his motor performance, which aligns with dementia, as it typically involves deterioration across all faculties and functions.”

He added that Trump’s public demeanor, language, and verbal disorganization have become more apparent signs of cognitive changes. According to The Mirror, Trump has also been seen attempting to conceal his hands in public, prompting further speculation about his health.

The recent mix-up between the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and an IQ test, some experts say, could further reinforce these concerns. To better understand this, we spoke with Dr. Neetu Tiwari, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry), Senior Resident at NIIMS Medical College & Hospital.

She explained, “Confusing the nature of the test could be something worth noting. In itself, a single instance of confusion does not amount to a diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) or any other dementia type. But if this kind of misunderstanding is part of a wider pattern—repeated confusion, new behavioural changes, personality shifts, language difficulties, or problems managing daily tasks—it would justify a full cognitive and neurological assessment. Early detection often relies on observing clusters of symptoms that persist or worsen over time.”

Summing up her view, Dr. Tiwari added that while it is possible for such mislabelling to be a small indicator, it is not strong evidence on its own. “Context matters,” she said. “Age, baseline cognitive ability, education, emotional state, stress, and fatigue all influence mental performance. The responsible next step is to monitor whether other changes are taking place, and if so, to seek a detailed evaluation from a neurologist or neuropsychologist.”

The NHS has made the morning-after pill available for free in pharmacies across England, aiming to eliminate the “postcode lottery” that limited access to emergency contraception. Nearly 10,000 pharmacies can now provide the pill without charge, meaning women no longer need to visit a GP or book an appointment at a sexual health clinic to access it. Previously, some pharmacies charged up to £30 for the emergency pill.

Free Emergency Contraception Now Available at Pharmacies

Thousands of women in England can now access the morning-after pill for free from local pharmacies under the government’s NHS reforms, which are designed to make healthcare services more accessible without requiring GP appointments.

Research suggests that one in five women aged 18 to 35 will need emergency contraception each year. The pill can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.

Before this change, women had to buy the pill over the counter for as much as £30 or seek it free from GPs and sexual health clinics. However, both options often came with barriers such as appointment delays or reduced clinic availability due to funding cuts. With the pill being most effective when taken soon after unprotected sex, the NHS move has been welcomed by health advocates as a timely and practical step.

Where Can You Get the Free Morning-After Pill?

As reported by The Independent, around 10,000 pharmacies in England, including major chains like Boots and Superdrug, as well as independent outlets, are now offering the morning-after pill free of charge.

Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said that pharmacists can also provide confidential advice on contraception choices. “Expanding the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service to include access to emergency hormonal contraception is a significant step forward in helping women get timely healthcare,” she explained.

“Women can visit their local Boots pharmacy for free contraception advice, support, and medication—without needing a GP or clinic appointment.”

What Was the Situation Before This Change?

Until this rollout, women often had to make an appointment at a clinic or contact their GP to obtain emergency contraception, which sometimes led to delays, especially over weekends or in rural areas. Under the new plan, women of reproductive age can now walk into any participating pharmacy and speak directly with a trained pharmacist. Consultations are private, and the pill is dispensed immediately if appropriate.

This initiative adds to a growing list of NHS pharmacy services, which now include starting or continuing regular birth control, getting advice after beginning antidepressants, and receiving blood pressure checks and vaccinations. The goal is to make local pharmacies a convenient first stop for everyday healthcare needs.

A Step Toward Easier Access

The new scheme represents a broader effort to expand women’s healthcare access across the country. By making emergency contraception free and widely available, the NHS hopes to remove financial and logistical barriers that previously prevented timely use.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical questions or concerns.