The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health

Each year an estimated 27 million women have postpartum haemorrhage, resulting in 43 000 deaths annually. In 2025, WHO introduced new diagnostic criteria based on objectively measured blood loss of 300 mL or more with any abnormal haemodynamic sign, or 500 mL or more, whichever occurs first within 24 h after birth. Dr Nicole Minckas (University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia) joins Ben to discuss the findings of a new mixed-methods study done in six (Colombia, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Thailand) countries assessing the acceptability, feasibility, and roll out of the new criteria. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(26)00115-9/fulltext

WHO estimates that one in six couples are affected by infertility, with an increasing number of people turning to reproductive medicine to aid them to fulfil their family goals. However, with media narratives focusing on falling fertility rates, this episode of The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health in conversation with delves into a special theme issue focusing on placing patient wellbeing at the centre of fertility care through interviews with researchers, Sarah Lensen (University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia) and Jennifer Gordon (University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada), and a patient with lived experience, Beate Muehlroth. Click here to read the full articles: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/S3050-5038(26)00054-3/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/S3050-5038(26)00114-7/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/S3050-5038(26)00152-4/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/S3050-5038(26)00144-5/fulltext  

Menopause is a key life transition experienced by millions of women every year, yet health systems are failing to provide the responsive, coordinated care that women need. Anna Kalbarczyk (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA) joins Ben to discuss her Review drawing on evidence from 89 studies across diverse populations and geographies to highlight experiences of menopause care. The review reveals persistent gaps in provider knowledge, fragmented care pathways, and systemic barriers to access Click here to read the full article:  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(26)00053-1/fulltext 

In a special episode from the conference floor at SEUD 2026, Christina Biamis (Senior Editor at eBioMedicine) and Ben (Senior Editor at The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health) speak with Prof Charles Chapron, Dr Mathilde Bourdon, Prof Felice Petraglia, Dr Silvia Vannuccini, Dr Lydia Coxon, Dr Ludivine Doridot, Dr Tina Tellum, Dr Devon Evans, and Prof Ludwig Keisel about the latest advances in the treatment of patients with endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, and other uterine disorders. Hear from the experts as they discuss the need for a paradigm shift in the treatment of diseases that affect tens of millions of women worldwide. Click here to read the news report: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/S3050-5038(26)00146-9/fulltext

Cervical cancer is preventable through vaccination and screening. Since the introduction of a national cervical screening programme, incidence of cervical cancer has decreased by 50% in New Zealand. However, more than 85% of cervical cancer cases occur in women who are not regularly screened, and Māori women are twice as likely as non-Māori women to die from cervical cancer. Prof Bev Lawton and Dr Jane Macdonald (Victoria University of Wellington) sat down with Ben to discuss their cluster randomised trial that assessed the impact of a universal offer of HPV self-testing for cervical screening. Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00201-8/abstract