Women's Journal — Health, Beauty, Fitness & Lifestyle
Female Rower Makes History With California to Hawaii Journey
Female Rower Kelsey Pfendler reached Honolulu after rowing solo from Monterey, California, to Oahu, completing a Pacific crossing of more than 2,400 miles. Her arrival at Ala Wai Boat Harbor ended 43 days at sea and drew public attention to a route that few people have completed alone. Key Takeaways Kelsey Pfendler began the crossing on May 21 in Monterey, California, and arrived in Honolulu on July 3, 2026. The route covered more than 2,400 miles from California to the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Public reports said she became the first American woman, youngest woman, and fastest woman to row solo across the mid-Pacific route. Hawaii News Now reported that she arrived shortly before 9 p.m. aboard Lily, her 21-foot ocean rowing boat. The Associated Press reported that Ocean Rowing Society International records showed her time was faster than the previous women’s and men’s speed marks listed for the route. Kelsey Pfendler completed the solo row from California to Hawaii after departing Monterey on May 21 and reaching Honolulu on July 3, according to public reports. Hawaii News Now reported that hundreds gathered near Magic Island and Ala Wai Boat Harbor as she finished the crossing shortly before 9 p.m.
Study Finds Heart Health Risks Rise During Perimenopause
Perimenopause heart health concerns are receiving renewed attention after researchers identified evidence that cardiovascular changes in women may begin earlier than many physicians previously recognized. The findings emerged from a large-scale study examining metabolic and vascular indicators among women transitioning into menopause, with researchers observing measurable shifts in cholesterol, blood sugar regulation, and blood vessel function during the perimenopausal stage. The study focused on women who had not yet reached menopause but were already experiencing hormonal fluctuations associated with the transition period. Researchers analyzed cardiovascular markers over time and found that several risk indicators linked to heart disease appeared before menopause officially began. The findings are prompting additional discussion among medical professionals about earlier screening and preventive care strategies for women entering midlife. Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death among women globally. While menopause has long been associated with increased cardiovascular risk, the latest findings suggest the biological changes contributing to that risk may start years earlier than previously emphasized in clinical practice. Researchers involved in the study examined how shifting estrogen levels during perimenopause may influence vascular function, inflammation, and metabolic health. The research adds to a growing body of evidence connecting hormonal changes to
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NHS Guidance Calls for PMOS Checks in Women
PMOS checks could become more consistent under new draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which calls for closer assessment of women and girls with irregular periods, hormone-related symptoms, and related long-term health risks. The guidance is still under consultation, with final publication scheduled for December 2026. Key Takeaways NICE draft guidance calls for PMOS checks in people aged 10 and over with suspected symptoms. PMOS is the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome, previously known as PCOS. Irregular periods, androgen-related symptoms, and metabolic health concerns are central to the guidance. NICE recommends annual reviews for people diagnosed with PMOS. The draft consultation runs from July 1 to August 11, 2026. PMOS, or polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, is the newer name for the condition long known as polycystic ovary syndrome. The name change was formally introduced in May 2026 after international medical groups said the older term placed too much emphasis on ovarian cysts and did not fully describe the condition’s endocrine and metabolic features. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, known as NICE, has now published draft guidance on PMOS for consultation. The draft runs from July 1 to August 11, 2026,
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