Your Health

By Janice M. Horowitz

ENDOMETRIOSIS NEWS More than 10 million American women have endometriosis, a condition that's not only painful but is also linked to infertility. Now researchers think it may be preventable. A fascinating though preliminary study suggests that women who use tampons or who have sex when they are menstruating significantly reduce their risk of getting the disease. How? The latest thinking is that endometriosis develops because menstrual fluid backs up and travels to the ovaries, Fallopian tubes and outer surface of the womb, where it takes root. Having sex--more specifically, having an orgasm--causes the uterus to contract, pushing out the fluid. And tampons? They seem to act like a wick, drawing fluid out. The findings may not be definitive enough to change your personal habits, but they're worth considering.

SMALLPOX IMMUNITY Just because you were vaccinated against smallpox as a child doesn't mean you would be protected in the event of a bioterrorism attack now. That's the conclusion of a study in which researchers revaccinated more than 300 microbiologists whose work put them at risk of infection. It turns out that 9 out of 10 of the microbiologists developed swelling, blisters and scabs at the new inoculation site--all telltale signs that their prior immunity had disappeared.

--By Janice M. Horowitz

Sources: Journal of Gynecologic and Obstetrical Investigation; Maryland Medical Journal