Category Archives: Women’s Health

Women's Health

Does Matcha Cause Reproductive Harm?   

By Natalia Pastor Navarro

Matcha is at the forefront of a social media wellness craze, framing the drink as a healthy alternative to coffee. Its popularity has created a global shortage and rising prices. However, some influencers raise concerns about the “healthy” portrayal of matcha and warn their audience about the potential negative effects of the caffeine in matcha. Should we be switching over to matcha as our morning boost? Let’s think twice and look at the experimental evidence.  

Matcha is derived from Camellia sinensis, the same plant that produces green tea. Matcha is green tea leaves stone-ground into a fine powder, whereas green tea is made by steeping the leaves. The powder has a higher concentration of caffeine and antioxidants, and a bolder umami taste (1).  

Green tea contains notable levels of antioxidant catechins(2). The proponents of the health benefits of matcha hypothesize that if the antioxidants can protect reproductive cells from oxidative stress, they may protect sperm and egg cells, potentially increasing fertility among men and women (3). The health concerns regarding matcha focus potential detrimental effects on reproduction from caffeine. Neither of these hypotheses is currently supported by experimental evidence.  

A population-based prospective cohort study of pregnant women conducted by the American Journal of Obstetricians and Gynecology found that the daily consumption of 200 milligrams or more of caffeine was associated with a greater risk of a miscarriage, while other epidemiological studies following pregnant women over time have found no association between caffeine and miscarriage (4,5). However, to err on the side of caution, medical expertscontinue to recommend that pregnant women should limit their caffeine consumption to less than 200 milligrams a day, which is equivalent to around 1 cup of coffee or 2.5 to 4 cups of matcha if using the standard 2 grams of matcha per cup (6,7).   

Since the alleged fertility benefits and harms of matcha lack empirical evidence and are instead based solely on rationale, think twice about expecting matcha to provide a significant boost or harm to your fertility. The concerns about caffeine are based on inconsistent data and moderate matcha consumption falls within the recommended safety limits. Neither notable enthusiasm nor fear need be associated with matcha consumed in moderation. 

  

Sources 

  1. Kochman, J., Jakubczyk, K., Antoniewicz, J., Mruk, H., & Janda, K. (2020). Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: A Review. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(1), 85. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.utexas.edu/10.3390/molecules26010085 
  1. Khalesi, S., Sun, J., Buys, N. et al. Green tea catechins and blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Eur J Nutr 53, 1299–1311 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-014-0720-1 
  1. Rahman, S. U., Huang, Y., Zhu, L., Feng, S., Khan, I. M., Wu, J., Li, Y., & Wang, X. (2018). Therapeutic Role of Green Tea Polyphenols in Improving Fertility: A Review. Nutrients, 10(7), 834. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.utexas.edu/10.3390/nu10070834 
  1. Weng, X., Odouli, R., & Li, D. K. (2008). Maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage: a prospective cohort study. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 198(3), 279.e1–279.e2798. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.utexas.edu/10.1016/j.ajog.2007.10.803 
  1. Caffeine and miscarriage risk. Epidemiology, 19 (1), 55-62. Savitz, D.A., Chan, R.L., Herring, A.H. & Hartmann, K.E. (2008). 
  1. Caffeine while pregnant. American Pregnancy Association. (2026, April 20). https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy/caffeine-and-pregnancy/ 
  1. Hadjipateras, E. (n.d.). Caffeine in matcha: How much caffeine is in matcha green tea powder?. Matcha.com. https://matcha.com/blogs/news/matcha-caffeine  
All, Women's Health

Laser Hair Removal

By Natalia Pastor Navarro

Many of us have fallen victim to viral beauty gadgets and treatments that claim to make us look and feel our best. From red light masks to vibration plates, the beauty industry is full of promises to provide life-changing results. Although laser hair removal is not new, it has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. It may seem like the ideal solution to remove unwanted hair, but is laser hair removal as effective and risk-free as the industry claims it to be? Let’s dive into the science behind it and think twice before adding a device or session to your cart.  

One of the biggest misconceptions around laser hair removal is that it is permanent. However, experts state that although it will result in a reduction and delay in hair growth, it will usually not be permanent and often requires maintenance treatments. This is because laser hair removal produces results by disrupting the hair follicle. However, over time the hair follicle can recover, and the hair can grow back (1).  

For results that are not permanent, the cost is not pocket friendly. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons the average cost of in-office laser hair removal is $697 per treatment (2). Whereas the cost of at-home laser removal machines can start at around $100. This raises the question: if the results are not permanent, should one save money and do it at home? 

Both devices use the same principle of selective photothermolysis but at-home devices will usually differ in wavelength range, which is how deep the laser energy can penetrate the skin.   

Some studies comparing at-home and in-office hair removal devices found comparable efficacy and safety between the devices (3,4). However, both studies were limited in that they did not look at skin colors past medium brown skin, an important shortcoming given that experts warn about the risks including scarring for darker skin colors with certain laser types and wavelengths (5).   

The bottom line is that laser hair removal, like most beauty treatments on the market, is not a one-size-fits-all or a permanent solution. While there are certainly benefits to laser hair removal, there are risks and nuances associated with it. Understanding the science behind it can help be better informed to help make a decision that best aligns with your personal goals, budgets, and preferences. Hopefully, if you end up purchasing laser hair removal and notice there is not the right wavelength for your skin type, you will think twice before swiping your card.  

Sources 

  1. “Laser Hair Removal.” Mayo Clinic, March 13, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/laser-hair-removal/about/pac-20394555.  
  2. Frankeny, Ariel, Daisy Brumby, and MD & Eric Shiah Samuel Lin. “Laser Hair Removal Cost.” American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-hair-removal/cost?euidtkncn=H6XxIBadoGsbch8.  
  3. Yan, Y., Lu, S., Wu, S. et al. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of home-used intense pulsed light with medical intense pulsed light for hair removal. Lasers Med Sci 40, 148 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-025-04414-x 
  4. Hendricks, K., Nxumalo, C. T., Makgobole, M. U., Ghuman, S., Jacobs, D., & Mpofana, N. (2023). Evaluating the effectiveness of laser hair reduction using a home use laser in comparison to a Diode laser. PloS one, 18(5), e0286162. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.utexas.edu/10.1371/journal.pone.0286162 
  5. Lim, S.P.R., Lanigan, S.W. A review of the adverse effects of laser hair removal. Lasers Med Sci 21, 121–125 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-006-0377-y 
All, Women's Health

Can Birth Control Make You Gain Weight?

 By Swetha Velayutham

The internet and social media are filled with women claiming that hormonal birth control causes rapid weight gain. From sudden bloating to stubborn fat, hormonal contraceptives often get the blame. Let’s Think Twice. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, hormonal birth control methods include estrogen pills or patches, progestin only pills, vaginal ring, hormonal implant, and some intrauterine devices (IUD) (1). Hormonal birth control works, in general, by preventing ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. Constant exposure to synthetic sources of estrogen and progesterone prevents the production of hormones that aid in ovulation, or the release of a fertile egg (2).   

In a systematic review of 49 randomized trials examining combined hormonal contraceptives (containing both estrogen and progestin), researchers found no statistically significant difference (mean weight difference= 0 kg; p<0.05)in weight change when consuming contraceptives versus discontinuing or using placebo contraceptives (3).  

While birth control does not contribute to direct weight gain, a study has shown that the increase in weigh that it can cause temporary water retention by disrupting osmoregulation of arginine vasopressin (AVP) (4). Another study has shown that increased progestin may affect appetite pathways and lead to an increase in appetite and changes in eating behavior, potentially contributing to indirect weight gain (5). These factors may contribute to the myth that birth control causes weight gain.  

The one exception to this myth is the birth control shot. According to a study that analyzed patient charts at Casa Grande Valley Center, users gained about 5 pounds in the first year, on average (6).  

Given this research, there is no direct correlation between weight gain and birth control. So, before you avoid birth control because of weight gain fears, remember to think twice!  

Sources

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11427-birth-control-options 

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/pill-how-pill-works/  

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10640873/  

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10484572/  

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7556729/  

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih,gov/8605778/