_edited.jpg)
What the Meno Happened in June?
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
Our June News Round Up
15th Edition – July 1, 2026
Hello Ladies,
We hope June has been good to you all. Some interesting news this month—let’s dive in!
The Easy UTI Fix
An interesting article in Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper caught our attention and led us to do some further investigating. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect around 400 million people per year globally and result in approximately 230,000 deaths worldwide. In England and Wales alone, UTIs contribute to about 5,000 deaths annually. These infections place a serious burden on healthcare systems and can be painful and dangerous, especially as we age. In menopause, related symptoms are often referred to as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). UTIs can also indirectly lead to broken bones—rushing to the bathroom in the middle of the night increases the risk of falls.
The good news? There’s a simple, effective way to prevent many of these infections. Low-dose vaginal oestrogen or DHEA—delivered locally via cream, tablet, ring, or suppository—can relieve GSM symptoms and reduce the likelihood of recurrent UTIs by more than 50%. Importantly, vaginal oestrogen has not been linked to increased risks of breast cancer, stroke, dementia, or blood clots. It doesn’t significantly raise systemic oestrogen levels, making it safe even for many breast cancer survivors or those at high risk. It works locally by improving the health of vulvar and vaginal tissues, reducing the chance of bacteria reaching the bladder.
If you’re seeing your doctor for a UTI, don’t hesitate to ask about preventive options alongside treatment.
Read the full article here: The Simple UTI Fix Some Doctors Aren’t Prescribing
And here are some additional statistics about UTIs from Llusern Scientific: Lab-accurate UTI testing near the point of care
The Wearable Tech That Is Helping Women
Apple has been investing in women’s health since 2019, when it added cycle tracking to the Apple Watch and iOS Health app. Women can now log key menstrual cycle information, and according to Apple’s Stacey Ford, Vice President of OS Product Management, the app can notify users when cycle patterns suggest perimenopause.
A newer player, Clair Health, has launched a stylish continuous hormone monitor bracelet. It tracks over 130 proprietary biomarkers—including skin temperature, heart rate, sleep metrics, breathing rate, and motion—to provide insights into hormonal fluctuations. Both tools empower women to bring data-backed evidence to their doctors, helping validate symptoms that might otherwise be dismissed.
Read the full Apple article here: Apple’s Health app can now tell you if you’re in perimenopause
The Clair article: Meet the Latest Women’s Wearable Making News: The Clair, a Continuous Hormone Tracker
Some Encouraging Research on HRT
We spotted promising new research on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) this month. A retrospective cohort study of 387 postmenopausal women found that those using HRT had a 69% lower risk of low bone mineral density in the spine and hips.
Another first-of-its-kind cross-sectional analysis of more than 10,000 women examined the links between menopause status, HRT use, and healthy lifestyle behaviours (diet, exercise, and sleep). It found that HRT users tended to adopt healthier lifestyles overall. Researchers couldn’t determine whether better symptom control enabled these behaviours or if more proactive women are likelier to choose HRT—but either way, it’s encouraging news.
Read the articles in full here:
Menopausal Hormone Therapy Reduces Risk of Low Bone Mineral Density by 69%
and
Menopausal Women Taking Hormones More Likely to Have Overall Healthier Lifestyles
Hot Flashes and Brain Health
Hot flashes and night sweats have long been viewed as uncomfortable but harmless aspects of perimenopause and menopause. New research is changing that view. MRI studies are exploring connections between vasomotor symptoms (like hot flashes) and memory performance, brain connectivity, and structural brain changes. While the associations do not yet prove causation, and more research is needed to determine whether these changes are temporary, adaptive, or clinically significant, this growing body of evidence is valuable. Ongoing studies will help women better understand and advocate for their health. We will continue to watch this space!
If you missed it last month, here is our recommended Better Sleep Hack - Acupressure for Better Sleep - again
We came across several well-regarded acupressure points that some of us have tried with good results for sleep.
Here are two particularly useful ones:
Shenmen (HT7) – “Spirit Gate”: Located on the inner wrist, in the crease near the base of the pinky finger. Gently press in circular motions with your thumb for 1–2 minutes per wrist, 30 minutes before bed. This can help calm the mind and reduce overthinking.
Neiguan (PC6) – “Inner Gate”: About three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between the tendons. Apply firm pressure for 1–2 minutes per wrist. Pairing this with deep breathing enhances the calming effect.
For a full list of acupressure points click here:
How to Use Acupressure points to fall sleep naturally
Click this link for a meta-analysis (the science) on acupressure and sleep:
Acupressure effect on sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis
(The image above comes from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.)
We can’t quite believe the days are already getting shorter!
We hope you’re having a wonderful summer. Stay strong, stay informed, and take care of yourselves, ladies.
Warmly,
The Menolink Team
ps: We hope that these insights empower you on your menopause journey. Share this newsletter to help spread valuable knowledge and support!
For more, read on and follow us on Instagram
For more, follow us on Instagram
Also, our Instagram page can be found here: it's where we re-post anything peri or menopause related which has significance and sheds more light on this subject.
Love This?
Share it (links below) with your women —spread the word, not the silence.
Follow us on socials for menopause real talk @Menolink. Got feedback? Email us at info@menolink.co.uk Listen to our Spotify Playlist - featuring a selection of THE best all things Menopause podcast episodes. Next issue drops on 1 August!
Love Us?
Every month we come across hundreds of "all things meno" news articles. Our aim is to sort the wheat from the chaff, so you can get on with life, while we satisfy our inner-nerds and pass on the good news. If you want more, our Social Media - Instagram in particular - has many more - daily - posts about the latest in the menosphere.
Comments