'Medical Memoir' is a Health & Me series that delves into some of the most intriguing medical histories and unveils how medical innovations have evolved over time. Here, we trace the early stages of all things health, whether a vaccine, a treatment, a pill, or a cure.

Menstrual products have come a long way—from homemade cloth rags and belts to silicone menstrual cups and sleek, leak-proof underwear. The history of these products is as much about medical innovation as it is about cultural taboos, social shifts, and gendered marketing. While nearly half the world menstruates at some point, the journey toward safer, dignified, and sustainable period care has been anything but straightforward.

Ancient Origins: Creativity and Cultural Beliefs

Long before commercial products existed, women relied on locally available materials. In ancient Greece, tampon-like devices were reportedly made using lint wrapped around light wood. Egyptian women fashioned internal devices from softened papyrus, while Roman women used wool or cotton pads secured with belts. Meanwhile, Native American women used moss and buffalo skin, and in Equatorial Africa, grass rolls absorbed menstrual blood.

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However, these were not necessarily used openly. Menstruation was frequently wrapped in superstition and shame. Ancient texts reveal contradictory beliefs: while Egyptian medical papyri regarded menstrual blood as medicinal, Roman and early Christian texts often considered it impure, even dangerous.

19th Century: Cloth Pads and the Birth of Sanitary Belts

By the 1800s, European and American women commonly used reusable cloth rags made from flannel or linen. These were washed and reused but posed hygiene concerns. The late 19th century saw the invention of the sanitary belt—a strap-on belt that held a pad in place. Brands like Southalls’ Shaped Towel Suspender marketed these belts for women “travelling by land or sea.”

In 1896, Johnson & Johnson launched Lister’s Towels, the first disposable sanitary napkins. But cultural stigma around menstruation kept them from selling well; women were reluctant to ask for them in stores.

Early 20th Century: From Warfront to Women’s Needs

World War I brought an unexpected breakthrough. Nurses discovered that cellulose bandages, used to stop bleeding on the battlefield, were highly absorbent and cheap. This innovation led to the Kotex sanitary pad, marking one of the first commercially successful disposable period products.

In the 1920s, Fax tampons emerged, though still rudimentary. The most transformative moment came in 1933, when Earle Haas patented the modern tampon with an applicator. Soon after, Gertrude Tendrich, founder of Tampax, bought the patent and established the brand. Even so, tampons faced social resistance, particularly from conservative groups concerned about virginity and morality.

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Mid-20th Century: Belts, Pads, and Patents

Through the mid-1900s, many women still used sanitary belts. African-American inventor Mary Kenner created an adjustable version in 1956, complete with a moisture-proof pocket. Sadly, her patent was ignored for decades due to racial discrimination.

In the 1970s, beltless pads with adhesive strips revolutionized convenience. Pads now came in various sizes—mini, maxi, with or without wings. Around the same time, feminist movements advocated for reusable options like sea sponges and cloth pads as environmentally conscious alternatives.

Menstrual Cups: A Quiet Revolution

Though menstrual cups seem like a recent innovation, the first patent was filed by Leona Chalmers in 1937. Made of latex, her design didn't gain traction due to wartime material shortages and social discomfort.

It wasn’t until 2002 that the Mooncup, a reusable silicone cup, popularized the category. Founder Su Hardy promoted it as a hypoallergenic, eco-friendly product. Unlike tampons or pads, a single menstrual cup could last up to 10 years—dramatically reducing waste. Brands like Tampax followed suit with their own versions in the late 2010s, promoting sustainability.

Late 20th Century: Safety Concerns and Regulation

The rise of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in the late 1970s, particularly linked to super-absorbent tampons, led to thousands of hospitalizations and several deaths. This public health crisis sparked stricter regulations and awareness campaigns, including the Tampon Safety Bill (1995) and the General Product Safety Regulation (2005) in the UK.

21st Century Innovations: Empowerment and Sustainability

The last two decades have ushered in a period care renaissance. There’s a growing market for organic cotton tampons and pads, biodegradable wrappers, and subscription-based period boxes. Perhaps the biggest innovation has been period panties—moisture-wicking, antimicrobial underwear that replaces pads altogether.

Modern period brands now emphasize body positivity, gender inclusivity, and sustainability. Campaigns no longer whisper "discreet protection" but proudly celebrate menstruators taking control of their health.

Despite all the progress, menstrual stigma lingers. Even in 2025, millions of girls worldwide miss school due to lack of access to period products or sanitation. In many parts of the world, conversations around menstruation remain cloaked in secrecy or shame.

For anyone who's been following the meteoric rise of weight-loss injections like Ozempic and Wegovy, one thing is certain: these medications are effective but not for everyone. Now, a new, in-depth study might know why.

Appearing in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, this new research has identified key determinants of who is most likely to thrive on GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), a drug class that includes semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy). Ranging from use duration to body composition, and from metabolic rate to diabetic status, the results yield a finer set of directions for individualized obesity treatment—and may potentially minimize the guesswork that too often vexes patients and clinicians alike.

GLP-1RAs are drugs initially made to treat type 2 diabetes but have produced miraculous outcomes for the treatment of obesity. They function by duplicating a hormone that occurs naturally in the body, which suppresses hunger and controls the blood sugar levels. Semaglutide, the drug behind Ozempic and Wegovy, has assisted individuals in losing an average of 15–21% of their body weight when combined with diet and lifestyle modifications.

Even with all the news-grabbing changes and social media hype, results are all over the place. Some patients lose weight rapidly, others plateau, and some develop side effects such as nausea that cause them to quit cold turkey. The new research, performed at Peking University People's Hospital, sheds some light on why.

Scientists monitored 679 overweight or obese patients who initiated GLP-1RA treatment between November 2022 and October 2024 at an obesity clinic in Beijing. For 12 months, they monitored a range of physical and metabolic factors to determine what characteristics were associated with improved outcomes.

Patients taking GLP-1RAs for extended periods, particularly semaglutide, had higher odds of significant weight loss. But more than how long the patient was on the drug, study authors determined that individual traits mattered substantially in effectiveness.

In particular, individuals who did not have diabetes, had a higher percentage of body fat, larger amounts of skeletal muscle, and a higher rate of basal metabolism were found to be more likely to succeed. Also, higher serum creatinine levels (a marker for muscle mass and kidney function) were associated with improved success.

Role of Muscle Mass and Metabolism

GLP-1s are effective devices, but they need to be combined with muscle-sparing measures. Most patients inadvertently lose lean muscle mass, which can lower metabolism and undermine long-term weight control.

That is, the scale may fall, but what you lose is important. Retaining muscle mass is essential to long-term health and success. Because of this, experts suggest a two-prong approach: savvy, high-protein eating and regular strength training to help maintain lean tissue throughout treatment.

5 Body Traits That Predict If You'll Actually Lose Weight on GLP-1 Drugs

New research is showing that not everyone responds the same way to GLP-1 receptor agonists—and your body’s makeup may be the key to understanding why. Here are five physical traits that strongly predict whether you’ll shed pounds successfully while on these weight-loss medications:

1. Higher Body Fat Percentage

Individuals with excess body fat at the beginning of treatment respond to GLP-1 drugs more favorably. Why? They attack hunger and fat storage, so people with more to lose are more likely to see faster and more dramatic results.

2. Increased Skeletal Muscle Mass

Muscle is not only for power—it burns calories even at rest. Individuals with greater skeletal muscle mass (particularly in the arms, legs, and abdomen) tend to have a quicker metabolism, which can strengthen the actions of weight-loss drugs.

3. Increased Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

A greater BMR indicates that your body expends more energy on a daily basis. Individuals with naturally quicker metabolisms are more apt to experience efficient and long-lasting weight loss when taking GLP-1RAs such as semaglutide.

4. Greater Serum Creatinine Levels

This marker is most commonly associated with muscle mass and kidney function. Individuals with slightly elevated (but normal) levels of creatinine—usually an indicator of greater lean body mass—tended to respond more favorably to these drugs.

5. No Diagnosis of Diabetes

Against expectation, individuals with no diabetes experienced more success than those with diabetes. This could be explained by improved insulin sensitivity, reduced metabolic resistance, or fewer pre-existing complications that would interfere with weight reduction.

How Your Diabetes Status Is Important?

The research demonstrated that those without diabetes had considerably higher chances of being successful with weight loss compared to those with prediabetes or diabetes. This could be because of deep-rooted metabolic distinctions or that GLP-1RAs react differently in states of insulin resistance.

Lead researcher Dr. Linong Ji described, "This study highlights the value of metabolic state-matched strategies. Individuals with diabetes can benefit from a different or more combined regimen."

Consistency is key, patients who remained on the drug for a longer period were more likely to lose weight. Those who dropped out early because of side effects, lack of response, or lifestyle interference were far less successful.

This accords with demands from doctors for improved support for adherence. Greater follow-up frequencies, tailored coaching, and symptom control can avert early dropouts.

"Adherence to medication is neglected but equally important as the medicine itself," the authors stated. "Physicians must assist patients in staying on track, especially for the first months or so."

Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs

Side effects, particularly gastrointestinal such as nausea, constipation, or vomiting, are still the number one reasons individuals drop out of GLP-1RAs. That's where tailoring treatment comes into play even more so.

Take, for instance, individuals who have less skeletal muscle mass. These individuals are likely to be more susceptible to fatigue and muscle wasting, enhancing dropout risk. Tweaking dose schedules, incorporating physical therapy, or emphasizing diet quality can all help mitigate these problems.

The global rise of drugs like Wegovy isn’t just hype. These medications are proving to be some of the most effective tools we’ve ever had in the fight against obesity, a condition affecting over 650 million people worldwide but what this new study makes clear is that weight loss is not one-size-fits-all, even with powerful drugs. Body composition, muscle mass, metabolic health, and individual biology all play a role.

For doctors, that equates to taking a precision medicine approach—tailoring treatments based on an individual's profile, instead of simply dosing all patients the same.

And for patients? It's a reminder that medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy can be remarkably powerful but only as part of an integrated, personalized plan that values the complexity of your body.

GLP-1 medications are revolutionizing weight control, but as this study reveals, success is not arbitrary success is individual. Understanding what influences results can enable more individuals to achieve potential through progress.

Breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when caught early. Yet, a significant number of women remain unclear about one of the most crucial tools for early detection: the mammogram. A new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) reveals just how persistent and widespread the confusion is over when women should start getting screened. Despite updated national guidelines recommending mammograms beginning at age 40, nearly half of the adults surveyed in the US are either misinformed or confused.

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a revised recommendation in April 2024, advising that women at average risk of breast cancer begin screening mammograms every other year starting at age 40. This update rolled back an earlier guideline that suggested beginning at age 50, a shift that aligns more closely with what other medical bodies have long recommended.

The American Cancer Society, for instance, has consistently recommended that women aged 40 to 44 have the option to begin annual screening, with stronger guidance to start annually from age 45. By age 55, women can shift to screenings every other year.

But with a history of back-and-forth on these guidelines, public understanding hasn’t caught up.

"Confusion can arise when medical guidance about detection or treatment changes," said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the APPC. “Our data suggest that the recommendation that such screening ordinarily start at 40 years old is not yet widely enough known.”

The APPC’s April 2024 survey sampled over 1,600 U.S. adults. The results were telling:

• Only 49% correctly identified age 40 as the right age to begin biennial mammograms for women at average risk.
• A notable 10% said screenings should begin at age 20, while 21% selected age 30. 8% said 50, and 11% admitted they were unsure.

Even more telling: this level of awareness remained unchanged from a previous survey conducted before the updated guidelines were published. So while the medical advice evolved, public understanding stood still.

Is Misinformation Creating Confusion?

Women aged 40–49 were the most informed demographic in the survey—72% of them knew screenings should begin at 40. But awareness dropped significantly among younger groups. Only 37% of women aged 18–29 knew the correct age to begin mammograms and a concerning 27% of that group mistakenly thought the correct age was 30, while 16% didn’t know at all.

This gap in understanding matters because younger women especially those with family history or genetic predisposition, may need to start even earlier.

What Are Mammograms?

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that captures detailed images of breast tissue, capable of identifying cancers before any physical symptoms appear.

In women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation who are referred to as "high risk" or with a history of radiation to the chest between ages 10 and 30, screening may start as early as age 30 and include annual breast MRIs alongside mammograms.

Modern technology has made the process quicker and less painful. Better compression paddles, 3D mammograms, and AI-assisted readings now reduce both discomfort and the chance of error.

Despite technological improvements, mammograms are not infallible. Their accuracy ranges between 85–90%, and performance can dip in women with dense breast tissue.

Contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) is another newer innovation helping radiologists identify tricky cases. The integration of artificial intelligence is also streamlining diagnostic accuracy.

Does 'Abnormal' Mammogram Mean Cancer?

An abnormal mammogram result doesn’t necessarily mean breast cancer. It simply means something unusual has been spotted and warrants further testing, which could include a breast ultrasound, MRI, or even a biopsy.

In the US, follow-up care is typically swift, with guidelines in place to ensure patients are informed and supported. However, disparities in healthcare access especially for uninsured or not populations still persist.

The APPC survey’s findings highlight a deeper issue, how public health communication is struggling to keep up with shifting medical guidelines. When official recommendations change, the burden of clarity shouldn’t fall solely on the individual. It requires coordinated messaging across healthcare providers, public health agencies, insurers, and the media.

While mammograms are widely available in the U.S., access isn’t always equitable. Low-income communities and communities of color often face hurdles ranging from cost and insurance barriers to logistical challenges like transportation or time off work.

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer death among women. Early detection significantly improves outcomes, but only if women are aware and empowered to begin screening at the appropriate time.

If you're approaching 40, talk to your doctor about when to begin screening especially if you have additional risk factors. Don’t wait for symptoms to show up.

Your struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up rested? It’s not just on you. And it never really has been. For centuries, sleep has been a fragile and complicated process. Historically, it took place in overcrowded, uncomfortable homes, alongside families, fire smoke, bugs, animals, and the unpredictable dangers of the night. In those times, people prayed for safety more than they prayed for dreams.

Fast forward to today — temperature-controlled bedrooms, memory foam mattresses, sleep masks, blackout curtains — and yet, millions are still wide awake at 3 AM, staring at the ceiling, wondering what’s broken.

It’s not just about your mattress or screen time. Your body isn’t failing you. It’s that the world you live in is making rest harder than it should be.

In 2020, over 14% of adults in the US reported struggling to fall asleep on most days, according to the National Health Interview Survey. About 12% have been diagnosed with chronic insomnia.

A third of American adults don’t get the recommended seven hours of sleep per night. And that lack of rest isn’t distributed equally: Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Black adults, along with those earning under $15,000 a year, are the most sleep-deprived.

What this really means is: sleep loss isn’t just a personal health issue. It’s a socioeconomic one.

You’re Not Lazy — The System Isn’t Built for Rest

We live in a society that glorifies hustle, devalues downtime, and equates sleep with laziness. We’re constantly connected, bombarded with notifications, and working longer hours — even when we're off the clock.

And then there's revenge bedtime procrastination — the habit of staying up late because it’s the only time you have for yourself. We scroll through emotionally charged or overstimulating content on our phones, even though we know it's sabotaging our sleep. We drink coffee too late. We binge-watch one more episode. We use alcohol to unwind, which only fragments sleep more.

Ironically, even the wellness-obsessed are losing sleep trying to perfect it — tracking every breath, wearing sleep rings, taping their mouths shut, and obsessing over micro-wakeups. Experts say this hyper-focus on sleep performance can actually heighten anxiety and worsen insomnia.

The truth is, many factors that destroy your sleep are beyond your control.

Shift workers — who make up 20% of the US labor force — have sleep cycles dictated by employers, not biology. Irregular schedules disrupt circadian rhythms and increase the risk of sleep disorders. Studies show that people of color are more likely to work alternating shifts, compounding their sleep challenges.

Lack of basic sleep-friendly infrastructure is another major barrier. People living in noisy, polluted, or unsafe neighborhoods — often low-income communities — face chronic sleep disruptions. Bright street lights, traffic noise, subpar housing, no access to air conditioning or heating — these all add up.

And then there’s the toll of racism and discrimination. Research shows that the stress from daily microaggressions and systemic injustice has a measurable impact on sleep quality and duration.

For many, sleep is not just elusive — it’s systematically denied.

Is Parenting and Caregiving Fuelling The Quiet Sleep Crisis?

Caregivers are among the most sleep-deprived populations. Babies, toddlers, aging parents — their needs don’t clock out at night. Sleep training might work for infants, but there's no such system for grown-up responsibilities.

If you're a new parent or a caregiver running on fumes, advice like “just wind down before bed” rings hollow. For people in this group, it’s not about willpower or habits — it's about survival.

Now add neurodivergence to the mix. A new study in BMJ Mental Health finds that adults with higher ADHD traits are significantly more likely to report insomnia, low sleep quality, and — unsurprisingly — a lower quality of life.

The research suggests that insomnia may be the link between ADHD symptoms and reduced life satisfaction. And while ADHD and insomnia both independently affect mood and functioning, their overlap is a major red flag.

The traditional treatment for one often ignores the other. Experts now advocate for targeted sleep therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) or Sleep Restriction Therapy to improve both sleep and daily functioning in adults with ADHD traits.

How Can You Sleep Better?

First, stop blaming yourself. Instead of focusing solely on sleep hygiene tips like cool rooms and no screens, try identifying what’s really keeping you up. Is it your work schedule? Your housing situation? Noise? Anxiety? All of the above?

If possible, consult a sleep medicine specialist to rule out disorders like insomnia, apnea, or circadian rhythm disruptions. If therapy is an option, CBT-I has proven effective for many.

For those dealing with unavoidable stressors — think shift work, noisy neighborhoods, caring for kids — small tools may help. White noise machines, blackout curtains, cooling fans, sleep earplugs. They’re not perfect, but they can create small windows of peace.

The goal isn’t eight perfect hours. It’s about carving out enough restorative rest — wherever and however possible — to function and feel human.

Sleep isn’t optional. It’s biological. Your body wants to rest. Your brain needs it. And even though society isn’t built to support that, the rhythm is still there — pulsing under the noise, waiting to be reclaimed.

So, maybe tonight, instead of battling the night like an enemy, trust your body. Dim the lights, breathe and let sleep come — if not easily, then at least without shame because the struggle to sleep isn’t yours alone.

Disclaimer: This article may include interpretations of research, and commentary that reflect individual or editorial perspectives. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice