A new study published in The Lancet Digital Health suggests that biological age of different organs could predict a person's risk of diseases such as cancer, dementia, and heart disease than their actual chronological age. The research analyzed long-term data from Whitehall II study, which had been followed by over 10,000 British adults for more than 35 years.

The blood plasma samples were collected between 1997 and 1999 from participants between ages 45 to 69. Researchers have now examined a follow up data from 6,235 participants, who were by then aged 65 to 89. This was done to see how aging of specific organ may correlate with the development of diseases over two decades.

What Organs Were Studied?

The study measured the biological age of nine key organs, including:

• Heart
• Blood vessels
• Liver
• Immune system
• Pancreas
• Kidneys
• Lungs
• Intestines
• Brain

The researchers were able to find that different organs aged at different rates in different people. In many of the cases multiple organs showed signs of faster aging within the same individual. What is important to note is that those with accelerated aging in certain organs had a higher risk of developing 30 out of the 40 age-related diseases the study had tracked.

Organ Aging And Disease Risk

Some organ-disease connections were expected—people with rapidly aging lungs were more likely to develop respiratory diseases, and those with aging kidneys had an increased risk of kidney-related conditions. However, the study also found less obvious associations.

For example, individuals with fast-aging kidneys were more prone to diseases in other organs, such as the liver and pancreas. Additionally, multiple fast-aging organs were linked to an increased risk of kidney disease.

One of the most surprising findings was that dementia risk was not best predicted by an aging brain but rather by the immune system’s biological age. This suggests that factors such as chronic inflammation and immune health may play a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases.

What Is Organ Specific Blood Tests?

The study also highlights the important of the potential of developing blood tests that could assess the biological age of specific organs. Unlike previous complex methods that measured the organ health, this new approach could make things simple to detect early signs of disease.

The leader author of the study Mika Kivimaki, who is also a professor at the University College London's Faculty of Brain sciences pointed out that such tests could be helpful when it comes to guiding personalized healthcare. In a news release, Kivimaki said, "They could advise whether a person needs to take better care of a particular organ and potentially provide an early warning signal that they may be at risk of a particular disease."

The study reinforces the idea that aging does not affect all organs equally and that looking beyond chronological age could offer better insights into disease prevention. By understanding which organs are aging more rapidly, medical professionals may be able to recommend targeted interventions for individuals at higher risk of specific conditions. Future advancements in organ-specific blood testing could revolutionize how we detect and manage age-related diseases, potentially leading to more personalized healthcare strategies.

When a woman misses her period, pregnancy is usually the first thing she thinks about. If that is ruled out, stress, weight changes or a hormonal imbalance may seem like the obvious explanations. But when periods become irregular or stop for several months, there may be more to the story.

In some women, these changes can also signal a risk to bone health. The menstrual cycle is controlled by a complex interaction between the brain and the ovaries. Oestrogen, one of the key hormones involved, is important not only for reproductive health but also for maintaining strong bones. It helps regulate the continuous process of bone breakdown and rebuilding.

When oestrogen levels remain low for a prolonged period, this balance can be disturbed, leading to a reduction in bone mineral density and, in some cases, an increased risk of fractures.

Menstrual health is not just about getting a period every month. It can offer important clues about what is happening elsewhere in the body.

Why Do Periods Sometimes Stop?

Also read: Why Do My Breasts Hurt Right Before My Period?

One possible cause is functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea, a condition in which the brain reduces the hormonal signals that stimulate the ovaries. It may occur when the body is under physical or emotional stress, particularly in the setting of inadequate food intake, rapid weight loss, excessive exercise or a combination of these factors.

In simple terms, the body may not be getting enough energy to support all its normal functions. Reproductive activity can slow down as a result. If this continues, the effects may extend beyond the menstrual cycle.

Low energy availability can affect hormones involved in bone formation and maintenance. Inadequate intake of protein, calcium and vitamin D may further compromise bone health.

The concern is particularly important in adolescents and young women, because these are the years when the body builds much of its peak bone mass. If this process is disrupted, they may not achieve their full bone-strength potential, which can have implications for bone health later in life. It can happen even when a woman is not underweight.

One common misconception is that only very thin women are at risk. In reality, a woman can have a seemingly healthy body weight and still not be eating enough to meet the demands of her daily activity.

A student under academic pressure may skip meals regularly. A working professional may combine long hours with restrictive eating, while a woman who exercises intensively may not increase her food intake to match her energy needs. In such situations, menstrual changes may be one of the first noticeable signs that something is wrong.

Persistent tiredness, declining exercise performance, poor recovery after workouts and recurrent bone or muscle injuries may provide additional clues.

These symptoms are easy to dismiss as the result of a busy lifestyle, but they deserve attention when they occur alongside irregular or absent periods.

Not Every Missed Period Has The Same Cause

Also read: Women With Endometriosis Are Earning Less, Reveals Study

Although inadequate energy intake and prolonged stress can affect menstruation, they are not the only explanations. Pregnancy must first be ruled out. Other possible causes include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, raised prolactin levels, premature ovarian insufficiency, chronic illnesses and certain medications.

A woman should seek medical evaluation if her periods stop for three months without an explanation, if her cycles remain persistently irregular, or if menstrual changes are accompanied by significant weight loss, restrictive eating, excessive exercise, bone pain or a stress fracture.

The assessment usually begins with a detailed menstrual history and questions about diet, exercise, weight changes, stress and medication use. Depending on the findings, the doctor may recommend pregnancy testing, blood tests to assess thyroid function and reproductive hormones, prolactin levels and other investigations.

A bone mineral density scan may also be appropriate when periods have been absent for a prolonged period or when additional risk factors for bone loss are present.

Protecting Menstrual Health Also Means Protecting Bone Health

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. When inadequate energy availability is responsible, the priority is to restore a healthy balance between food intake, physical activity and recovery.

This may require nutritional guidance, changes to exercise routines and support for managing psychological stress. A gynaecologist may work with an endocrinologist, dietitian or mental-health professional, depending on the individual’s needs.

Adequate calcium, vitamin D and protein are important for bone health, but supplements alone cannot correct an ongoing energy deficit. Similarly, hormonal medication should not be prescribed simply to produce a period without first understanding why menstruation has stopped.

A menstrual cycle is more than a monthly reproductive event. Persistent changes can provide valuable clues about hormonal function, nutrition and overall health. Paying attention to these changes early can help identify underlying problems and, where necessary, protect bone health for the future.

The manosphere is a network of male-centric online groups, forums and communities that focus on men’s issues, masculinity definition and the changing roles and treatment of men in today’s world. Oftentimes, the content produced in the manosphere leans heavily towards promoting misogyny online, distorting the definitions of feminism and masculinity.

A recent Lancet report highlights this issue, stating that these online communities that promote misogyny, male victimisation and hostility towards feminism are actually a growing public health problem. The report also suggests that this public health concern should be addressed in the same way as obesity or smoking.

The researchers say that the so-called manosphere not only normalises violence and misogyny towards women but also affects men’s mental health, fueling issues like social isolation and discouraging them from seeking help.

In the paper, titled Reframing the manosphere: a public health response to a commercial ecosystem, authors Sarah J Hawkes and Kent Buse describe the manosphere as a “diffuse commercial ecosystem and loose collection of online communities united by shared beliefs about masculinity, misogyny, and male victimisation”.

These communities often promote the idea that men are facing masculinity crisis and social isolation and that feminism has systematically disadvantaged and exploited them. The authors argue that these narratives can wrongfully make young men believe that their personal difficulties are due to women, which could direct their frustration towards the opposite gender.

The authors wrote, “Men’s problems are framed [in the manosphere] as the result of feminism rather than structural conditions, and masculine identity is commodified through products and paid content that normalise and reinforce health-harming and performance-oriented masculinities.”

Manosphere And Men's Mental Health

Also read: Gender-based Violence Surging Global Antimicrobial Resistance, Say Experts

The authors identify several conditions that can make boys and young men vulnerable to manosphere content, including loneliness, educational disengagement, social exclusion, financial insecurity and uncertainty about their future.

Prof Sarah Hawkes, the report’s other author, said, “The manosphere offers boys and young men belonging, identity and an explanation for why life feels hard."

She added, “Those needs are real. A response that only removes the manosphere, without offering something credible in its place, will fail. We need to offer boys something better, not just tell them what to avoid.”

The authors also say that they may also reinforce resentment towards women and promote toxic ideas about masculinity, gender, relationships and success. They also say that these communities can harm men's mental health, contribute to body image concerns and discourage them from seeking professional support.

The authors argue that this business model can exploit insecurity while presenting structural problems as individual failures or the result of feminism. Some influencers promote twisted ideas of masculinity and encourage followers to purchase supplements, hormones and financial products.

Prof Kent Buse, a co-author of the paper and co-founder of the social justice thinktank Global 50/50, explained, “This is a business model, not a fringe. Outrage and grievance are good for business, so the system rewards the most extreme content. Expect the playbook that served tobacco so well: blame the individual, and call regulation an attack on freedom. Public health has a tested toolkit for commercial harms and we should use it.”

Online Misogyny Contributes To Violence Against Women

Also read: 'Put Up with the Pain': UK Report Exposes Gaps in Women's Reproductive Healthcare

The report also examines the consequences of following manosphere for women and girls. The authors warn that the manosphere can normalise misogynistic outlooks, reinforce gender inequality and create an environment in which violence against women and girls is more readily accepted.

The concern is not limited to individual posts or influencers. The researchers describe a commercial network in which content creators can benefit from extreme expressions of gender and hostility.

They compare the strategies used by this online ecosystem with those of industries such as tobacco and ultra-processed food, arguing that both can shift responsibility towards individuals while resisting regulation.

“Outrage and grievance are good for business, so the system rewards the most extreme content,” said co-author Kent Buse.

He added, “Boys and men are not the problem. The problem is the conditions that leave them isolated and without a secure future, and the companies that profit from their anger and insecurity.”

Just Censoring Harmful Content May Not Be Enough

Also read: Amid Changing Health Laws In The US, Would Abortion Become Illegal?

The authors argue that simply removing misogynistic content or restricting access to certain communities will not address the reasons why young men are drawn to them.

Co-author Sarah Hawkes said, “The manosphere offers boys and young men belonging, identity and an explanation for why life feels hard. Those needs are real. A response that only removes the manosphere, without offering something credible in its place, will fail. We need to offer boys something better, not just tell them what to avoid.”

The report also calls for a coordinated response involving governments, schools, healthcare services and community organisations. This includes improving access to education, skills training and employment opportunities, addressing social isolation and ensuring that boys and young men can access mental health services.

Manosphere Is A Public Health Issue

The researchers identify six priorities for action: addressing the social and economic conditions that make young men vulnerable, improving collaboration between health and education services, developing effective communication strategies, regulating harmful platforms, investing in research and monitoring, and confronting the bigger misogyny and anti-gender equality attitudes that keeps these communities running.

They argue that regulation should focus on the commercial incentives that amplify harmful content, rather than placing the entire responsibility on individuals who consume it.

Menopause is gradually finding its well-deserved place in mainstream media. For the first time in a dozen years, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has revised its clinical guidance on treating key menopause symptoms like including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances and mood swings.

The new guidance, released in October 2026, talks about hormone therapy as the most effective treatment for moderate to severe hot flashes.

It also highlights non-hormonal options like cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness and clinical hypnosis for women who do not want to opt for hormone therapy.

The update comes after certain boxed safety warnings on hormone-based products were removed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Hormone Therapy Recommended For Women With Menopause

Also read: Beyond “Just Ageing”: Why Menopause Deserves a Place in India’s Mainstream Healthcare Conversation

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms, which include hot flashes and night sweats. These symptoms occur as changing hormone levels affect the body's temperature.

ACOG recommends systemic hormone therapy containing oestrogen and a progestogen for women with a uterus. Women who do not need endometrial protection may receive oestrogen alone.

The guidance also suggests considering hormone therapy for sleep disturbances, which is also one of the vasomotor symptoms.

However, hormone therapy may not be a viable option for everyone. Decisions should be made jointly by patients and their doctors, which may be taken after taking into account age, medical history, cardiovascular disease risk, breast cancer risk and the risk of venous thromboembolism, or blood clots.

ACOG also recommends starting treatment before the age of 60 or within 10 years of the onset of natural menopause for.

Women Who Cannot Take Hormone Therapy

Also read: Perimenopause & Cardiovascular Health: Why Neglecting Heart Warning Signs During Perimenopause Can Lead to Heart Issues

Women who cannot take hormone therapy have several other non-hormonal options. ACOG recommends selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which are antidepressant medicines that can also help manage hot flashes.

Another option is neurokinin receptor antagonists. These medicines act on pathways involved in regulating body temperature and can reduce hot flashes and night sweats. Fezolinetant and elinzanetant are examples of medicines in this category.

Gabapentin may also be considered when other non-hormonal medicines are ineffective .

Lifestyle And Behavioural Changes

The updated guidance also recognises lifestyle and behavioural changes for managing menopause symptoms. ACOG suggests cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help with hot flashes, sleep disturbances and mood symptoms.

Mindfulness-based interventions and physical exercise may help improve sleep and mood, while clinical hypnosis may reduce hot flashes and improve sleep and anxiety symptoms.

Acupuncture is also an option that may help tackle vasomotor symptoms and improve sleep and mood.

These alternative options can be used alone or alongside medication, depending on a woman's symptoms and treatment preferences.

Menopause can affect several aspects of health and daily life. Hot flashes and night sweats can disrupt sleep, while mood changes and other symptoms may affect work, relationships and overall quality of life.

For a long time, concerns about the risks of hormone therapy have influenced how patients and doctors approach treatment.

The new guidance reinforces that hormone therapy remains an effective option for many women, while stressing the importance of individual risk assessment and preference.