Telehealth and shield laws aided abortion rise last year, report says
The number of abortions in the United States grew to 1.14 million last year — driven in part by access to abortion pills via telemedicine, a new report says.
By the end of 2024, a quarter of abortions were provided through telehealth, which allows clinicians to remotely prescribe and dispense abortion pills to patients, according to the report. The study was released Monday by #WeCount, a project at the Society of Family Planning, which tracks reproductive care and support abortion rights.
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Health Line
14 minutes ago
- Health Line
‘Ozempic Penis': Males Are Reporting a Surprising New GLP-1 Side Effect
Male Reddit users are reporting what they call 'Ozempic penis,' with some claiming penile growth of up to 1.5 inches. Experts say, however, that Ozempic penis is not a true side effect of GLP-1 drugs. Instead, fat loss above the penis allows more of the organ to be visible, and improved blood flow due to improved metabolic health could also play a role. If you've spent any time in online forums like Reddit's r/Ozempic, you may have come across an eyebrow-raising phenomenon dubbed ' Ozempic penis.' Some males taking semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and other GLP-1 medications — such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), and liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) — are reporting a surprising side effect: their penis appears larger. 'I recently measured myself down there and noticed I gained about 1 inch,' said Redditor coffeebeardtv. While it might sound like internet folklore, a growing number of users are sharing similar experiences. In a viral thread, other men chimed in to confirm that it had also happened to them. 'Yeah, wife has definitely noticed a difference, was 278 down to under 200,' said Beathil. 'Yep I noticed that happen to me as well,' added OwnCarpet717. WeatherInfinite30 also agreed, saying, 'Yes. I gained 1.5 inches in length. No joke.' But is this effect real, or just Reddit-fueled exaggeration? The original poster acknowledged that some might think it was because of fat loss. '[However], at the time I measured myself before 4 years ago [I] was thinner,' he stated. Even so, other Redditors weren't sure that the growth was real. 'It just looks bigger (which doesn't suck) and probably works better,' said No-Western924. So, what's the real story according to medical experts? Here's what we know—and what you should take with a grain of salt. Is 'Ozempic penis' a real side effect of GLP-1 drugs? Pamela Tambini, MD, a double board certified physician in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine, who leads the clinical team as Medical Director at Engage Wellness, said that 'Ozempic penis' is not a medical term or diagnosis, but rather a nickname being used by people to describe a personal observation. 'Currently, there is no scientific evidence that GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic cause an actual increase in penis size,' she told Healthline. Tambini additionally explained that GLP-1 medications primarily work by helping to regulate blood sugar. They also promote weight loss through appetite suppression and changes in gut hormone activity. 'There is no known biological mechanism that links GLP-1 receptor agonists to the growth of genital tissue,' she said. Is 'hidden penis' the culprit? Tambini said that some of the men were on the right track in thinking that fat loss could create the illusion of a longer penis. '[W]hen men lose significant weight, particularly in the lower abdomen or pubic area, it can uncover more of the base of the penis that was previously buried in fat,' she explained. 'So, while the actual length does not increase, more of it becomes visible, which can create the impression of growth.' Stanton Honig, MD, Chief of Reproductive and Sexual Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, agreed with Tambini, pointing to a 2008 review published by himself and his colleagues in the International Journal of Impotence Research as evidence. In this review, they discussed how the fat pad above the public bone can make the penis appear shorter — a condition known as 'hidden penis.' The review further noted that surgical removal or reduction of this fat pad is often a part of making the penis more visible, thus making it appear longer. However, while fat loss is likely the major factor that is making men on Reddit think their penis looks larger, a couple of other factors might account for this phenomenon as well. Tambini noted that GLP-1 medications have been shown to have cardiovascular benefits, which, in some, might improve blood circulation and erectile function. 'Moreover, there is also a psychological element,' she said. 'When someone is losing weight, feeling better, and becoming more confident, their body perception can shift, which may influence how they view themselves physically.' How do you know if your penis size has changed? To objectively measure any change, Tambini said you would need consistent measurements taken the same way, under similar conditions. 'For example, measuring from the pubic bone to the tip of the penis while erect, before and after starting the medication,' she said. If you don't measure in the same way each time, you can't determine whether any observed changes are due to weight loss, improved erection quality, or simply changes in self-perception. If you want to follow the methodology from the study cited by Honig, take your measurement along the top side of the penis. They also took measurements in three states: flaccid (unstimulated), flaccid stretched (when gently pulled to its maximum length), and fully erect. Girth (circumference) measurements were taken at the midpoint of the shaft in both flaccid and erect states, per the study authors. However, it should be noted that they took measurements in all three states because they were comparing men to each other and wanted to account for the 'grower versus shower' phenomenon, where some men 'grow' when erect, while others tend to remain a similar size. If an individual is only looking for changes in himself, it would probably be sufficient to pick one state and remain consistent. Should you be concerned about a change in penis size? Although seeing a larger penis is often viewed by men as a weightloss bonus, there are certain times when a change might trigger a visit to your doctor. Tambini said that if you notice any changes, whether they seem positive or negative, it's a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional. 'Some changes, such as improved erectile function or increased energy, may be part of achieving better overall health,' she said. 'However, if someone is experiencing difficulties with erections, sensitivity, or sexual performance, it is worth discussing.' According to Tambini, these symptoms may indicate health issues, such as low testosterone, medication side effects, or vascular problems. 'If the change feels surprising, unexplained, or concerning, consulting a doctor is always the right move,' she advised. Honig additionally noted that patients on Ozempic may have diabetes along with obesity, which puts them at risk for erectile dysfunction. 'We have excellent treatments for ED, including pills, shock wave therapy, penile injections, and placement of a penile implant,' he said.
TechCrunch
14 minutes ago
- TechCrunch
In just 4 months, AI medical scribe Abridge doubles valuation to $5.3B
In Brief Abridge, an AI startup automating medical notes, has secured a $300 million Series E at a $5.3 billion valuation, according to the Wall Street Journal. The round, led by Andreessen Horowitz with participation from Khosla Ventures, follows the company's $250 million February fundraise at a $2.75 billion valuation. The seven-year-old Abridge is widely considered to be the leader in the increasingly crowded AI-powered medical scribe market, largely due to its early entry and integration with Epic Systems, the dominant health record software. In Q1, Abridge has reached $117 million in contracted annual recurring revenue (a metric that includes all signed recurring contacts, including from customers that have still not been onboarded,) The Information reported last month. Along with the fundraise, Abridge announced that it is expanding into converting medical notes from patient appointments into AI-powered medical codes, an offering that makes the company directly competitive with startups like CodaMetrix and a feature from its partner Epic Systems. Abridge, which was founded by cardiologist Shiv Rao, claims that its AI scribe technology is used by over 150 of the largest health systems in the US.
Associated Press
19 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Team physicians in college sports wary of greater liability risk with athletes now making big money
The professionalization of college sports has prompted concern among team physicians that they will be exposed to a greater risk of being sued by athletes who claim a poor outcome from treatment caused them to lose future earnings. Before July 2021, when college athletes were cleared to be compensated by third parties for the use of their name, image and likeness, such lawsuits would have been virtually unwinnable. Four years later, and with schools set to share millions directly with their athletes, team physicians are wary. Some of the most high-profile college athletes are already signing multimillion-dollar deals and six-figure contracts are common. Though no malpractice lawsuits seeking lost future earnings at the college level are known to have been filed, it's only a matter of time, said Dr. James Borchers, Big Ten chief medical officer and president and CEO of the U.S. Council for Athletes' Health. 'The complexity for the clinician is going to be significant,' he said. 'I do think there are people who are going to evaluate this and say, 'I didn't sign up for an 18-year-old making a million dollars and then saying the decision I make affected their ability to make money.' I think you may see people say this isn't for me.' Eagles case grabbed attention The case of former Philadelphia Eagles player Chris Maragos jolted the sports medicine field in 2023 when a jury ordered his surgeon and an orthopedics group affiliated with the team to pay him $43.5 million for lost future earnings and pain and suffering after he alleged improper care of a knee injury. The orthopedics group ended its two-decade association with the Eagles out of fear of future lawsuits. At the college level, it still would be hard for an athlete to contend a team doctor's errant care cost them an opportunity to make money in professional sports because there are no guarantees to play at the next level. However, a college athlete who didn't have an optimal recovery could argue treatment reduced their ability to make NIL money or to transfer to a higher-level school where they could make more money. 'You had an ACL tear, I did surgery and you never quite made it back — back in my day, you just had bad luck,' said Borchers, who played football at Ohio State from 1989-93. 'You're making a million dollars and that happens, you're probably having a different discussion.' Borchers offered a hypothetical situation to illustrate his concerns about the pressures faced by team doctors. A receiver is treated for a hamstring injury, returns to play and reinjures the hamstring. The receiver says the injury never felt fully healed and his agent takes him to another doctor who has a different opinion on how the injury should have been treated. Borchers said the receiver would have been better off to sit out longer and miss a few more games. 'But there wasn't money tied to that,' he said. 'Now you could say you hurt my ability to go out and perform, so I'm not going to get as much money or (it) has cost me the ability to put more tape out there so I could have transferred to a better situation and made more money. Those are the types of issues we're hearing about that used to not exist in college sports.' Who is liable? Typically in college sports, team physicians are employed by a university-affiliated medical center or local medical group. Athletic trainers are employed by the athletic department. Team physicians must carry liability insurance either individually or through the medical center or group. The most common limits for a malpractice insurance policy are $1 million per incident and $3 million total in a year, said Mike Matray, editor of Medical Liability Monitor. 'You can see how an athlete's economic damages, should a medical error end his/her career, would easily exceed those limits,' Matray wrote in an email to The Associated Press. MLM has followed the medical liability insurance industry since 1975, and though the publication does not track data specific to sports medicine practitioners who perform surgeries, Matray estimated rates for that specialty to be more than $100,000 per year in some states. Dr. Jon Divine, head team physician at Cincinnati, said Big 12 team doctors are discussing among themselves and university general counsels whether they should increase their liability insurance limits, perhaps to $2 million or $6 million or more. Divine said he and other team doctors also are taking extra steps in evaluating injuries in the new era of college sports. 'I've probably ordered more MRIs than I ever have in 25 years in the last two years,' he said. 'It's to make sure we're getting it right for the (coaching) staff, for the kids, for the kid's family. There's that much more riding on it.' Changing relationships A former Penn State football team doctor, Scott Lynch, alleged in 2019 that coach James Franklin attempted to interfere with medical decisions. A Penn State internal review found evidence of 'friction' between Lynch and Franklin but could not determine whether Franklin violated NCAA bylaws or Big Ten standards by interfering with medical decisions. Lynch was awarded $5.25 for wrongful termination by the hospital that had employed him. Dr. David McAllister, head team physician at UCLA who has been practicing for 27 years, said the relationship between team doctor and athlete has gone from one built on trust to now being transactional and at times adversarial. When athletes spent four or five years at the same school, as once was the norm, friendships were formed and the team doctor continued to provide care for the some athletes long after their playing days. Now, McAllister said, many football and basketball players are taking advice from agents and business managers whose priority is the athlete's earning power, and that puts pressure on team physicians. 'There are seasoned, experienced people that do what I do who either recently got out of it or are really considering it because they don't want to be exposed to the liability,' McAllister said, 'and they don't find it that much fun anymore.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and
