A Canadian student reflects on how patients are shaping her approach to care and questions if a strained healthcare system will allow her time to truly listen. mdsc.pe/4dTfGku

Women who received individualized, bloodwork-guided testosterone therapy reported improvement across a range of symptoms, according to a retrospective observational study presented at The Menopause Society 2026 Annual Meeting in San Diego. Patients surveyed cited better energy and mood as top benefits, above sexual desire. Read more about the research at the link: mdsc.pe/3VRJl7B

The human body has around 4000 tendons to connect more than 650 skeletal muscles to 206 bones. When a muscle contracts, the tendon stretches, pulling the bone from where it is to where you want it to be. That’s how you create movement, and potential problems. If the tendon is too stiff, the muscle takes the hit. If the tendon can’t match the force of the muscle, it gives way. Chronic injuries are the result of accumulating more stress over time than the tendon can fully recover from. Those chronically overworked and under-recovered tendons will eventually develop tendinopathies — areas of the tendon where the collagen is no longer directionally aligned. But even if you manage to stay active without damaging your connective tissues, you’ll eventually have to navigate the challenges of aging. To learn more about strengthening exercises, what to feed your collagen, and more, tap the link: mdsc.pe/3U7RzrD

Must-read has a secondary meaning when it comes to brain health. Scientists have long recognized that getting lost in a page-turner can reap cognitive benefits far beyond the thrill of the chapter. Now, a growing body of research is bringing them closer to understanding why, as shown by a new review in Psychological Medicine. In children and teens, reading is linked to improved attention, executive function, and mental health. In adults, it helps lower stress and loneliness and increase empathy and cognitive function. Reading for pleasure, the authors said, is “an accessible and low-cost protective factor across the lifespan” that can serve as a scalable intervention. Tap the link to read more: mdsc.pe/3VJx6tH

ME/CFS can be difficult to recognize in patients with long COVID and overlapping comorbidities. Explore how to apply diagnostic criteria, navigate complex presentations, and deliver more personalized care in this expert-led CME activity. 🔗 mdsc.pe/4jEHr3V

Advancing care in Dravet syndrome depends on early diagnosis, evolving evidence, and access to emerging therapies. Applying current clinical insights can help optimize treatment approaches and improve outcomes for patients and families living with this condition. mdsc.pe/4dTJw8t

How can we better address the high prevalence of depression in adolescents? Dr. Lisa Harding, Professor Manpreet K. Singh, and patient Jackson Tamer-Mahoney discuss navigating adolescent depression, treatments and patient experiences. Watch the full discussion ➡️ mdsc.pe/3W1zgov #Psychiatry

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is heterogeneous, and so should be our approach to care. Explore a free curriculum on diverse OSA presentations, treatment barriers, and mechanism-specific therapies. Learn more on our new Advancing Clinical Excellence page. mdsc.pe/4spDFOf

A 3-part clinical anthology on breast cancer screening is now live. Explore risk-stratified models, tailored dense breast strategies, and evidence-based next steps after abnormal findings. mdsc.pe/4rSWCsm

In managing high-risk IgA nephropathy (IgAN), what is your biggest clinical priority when evaluating emerging complement inhibitors?

More men are using testosterone than ever before. Prescriptions for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) increased by 27% from 2018 to 2024, including a 58% increase among men aged between 35 and 44 years, a demographic in which a physician wouldn't expect to see symptoms associated with low testosterone. The American Urological Association estimates that perhaps a third of TRT recipients don't meet diagnostic criteria, and as many as 1 in 4 receive prescriptions without any measurement of their testosterone levels. Experts point to the influence of social media and the proliferation of online clinics marketing testosterone as a lifestyle product. Research also suggests that many are reluctant to disclose their steroid use to clinicians, often because they anticipate judgment or lack confidence in the doctor's ability to provide meaningful information or advice. So how can you begin the conversation with your patients about testosterone? Tap the link to read the story. mdsc.pe/3U9xQI7

Personalize cardiovascular prevention by matching strategies to each patient’s risk profile, preferences, and clinical needs. Explore practical methods for tailoring prevention plans and supporting better long-term outcomes. 🔗 mdsc.pe/4AQ8M9p

Among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter, starting a GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA) was linked to a 21% lower 1-year risk of developing venous thromboembolism compared with starting a DPP-4 inhibitor. "GLP-1RA's favourable VTE [venous thromboembolism] profile among patients with AF/AFL [atrial flutter] and T2DM [T2D] suggests that GLP-1RAs may confer vascular benefits and could be considered when selecting glucose-lowering therapy in this high-risk population. Importantly, these findings do not alter the established role of OAC [oral anticoagulant] for the prevention of AF-related stroke and systemic embolism," the authors wrote. mdsc.pe/4z7EH3Y

VDPHL01, an oral, extended-release formulation of minoxidil, successfully regrew hair in men with androgenetic alopecia over 6 months in a phase 3 trial, according to the product’s developer. In the phase 3 study of 536 men with mild-to-moderate male pattern hair loss, patients were randomly assigned to receive VDPHL01 8.5 mg once daily, VDPHL01 8.5 mg twice daily, or placebo. Phase 2 data were released last year, as reported by Medscape Medical News. mdsc.pe/4yA6d9a

As Manitoba adopts permanent daylight saving time, clinicians must consider health outcomes. mdsc.pe/4iflTZe

The buzz about retatrutide and the rapid uptake in GLP-1 use for weight loss could drown out the message that obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease requiring individualized, long-term management and instead shift focus to a public discourse on which drug helps people lose the most weight the fastest. Patients may be drawn to rapid weight loss, but treatment goals should be gradual and tailored to each patient’s health needs, personal circumstances, and preferences, with an emphasis on sustainable, long-term health improvements, according to the American Diabetes Association. mdsc.pe/4jBadCC

⚖️ Can we improve stroke prevention while minimizing bleeding risk? Explore emerging anticoagulation approaches, including FXI/XIa inhibitors, and the latest evidence shaping the future of patient care. 🔬 #AAFPFMX nitter.siddz.com/i/broadcasts/1DxLdZleY…

⚖️ Can we improve stroke prevention while minimizing bleeding risk? Explore emerging anticoagulation approaches, including FXI/XIa inhibitors, and the latest evidence shaping the future of patient care. 🔬 #AAFPFMX nitter.siddz.com/i/broadcasts/1DxLdZleY…

In the week ending October 10, 5% of flu tests run by clinical labs came back positive, up from 3.9% the week before, according to the CDC’s first weekly flu report of the season. The West Coast is seeing the most activity, and nearly all of it is H1N1, which made up 96% of the influenza A viruses the public health labs subtyped. The CDC said activity is higher than usual for this time of the year, though still within normal range of seasonal variation. The basic clinical approach hasn’t changed in view of an early flu season, two experts told Medscape Medical News. But the early start may have caught many patients before their flu shot, putting more weight on testing and antiviral decisions that are rarely clear-cut. mdsc.pe/488xCUR

What transformative science awaits at the upcoming #ESH Meeting in Basel? Our expert panelists give an exclusive preview of the key themes, scientific breakthroughs, and innovations in hypertension. Watch the full discussion ➡️ mdsc.pe/4jshO6m #MedEd #Hypertension