A 30‑year longitudinal study of more than 1,000 women found that those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) performed worse on cognitive tests and showed reduced white‑matter integrity at midlife. The researchers controlled for BMI, smoking, alcohol use, income, diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors, yet the association remained significant. These findings suggest PCOS may independently affect brain health beyond its known metabolic complications. The authors recommend routine cognitive screening and lifestyle interventions for women with PCOS.
A 16‑year longitudinal study of more than 66,000 women aged 25‑42 found that those who regularly slept fewer than seven to eight hours faced a markedly higher risk of developing hypertension. Participants with sleep difficulties also tended to have poorer...