A New Level of Protection

Hi friend,

Women have been talking about the pain of gynecological procedures forever. Now, the world of medicine appears to be listening. 

Personal stories, amplified via social media, have turned the tide. As IUDs increased in popularity over the last 30 years, for example, more women spoke up about painful insertions.

“Women’s pain in medicine has long been minimized,” says Allie Volpe of Vox.com. “There’s been reporting over the last couple of years about medical gaslighting, not just in gynecological procedures but across the board. Women will come in with a problem. And for decades, centuries, they’ve just been written off as being hysterical.”

In response to a groundswell of advocacy, in May ACOG released new recommendations for clinicians on pain management for common procedures such as “IUD insertion, endometrial biopsy, hysteroscopy, intrauterine imaging, and cervical biopsy.” It’s a start.

Credit also goes to the Serial and New York Times investigative podcast The Retrievals, which won an award for its coverage of the horrors inflected upon women at a Yale Medical fertility clinic where an addicted nurse stole fentanyl and swapped in saline solution. Hundreds of women were told that they were being hysterical when, in reality, they were experiencing excruciating pain.

Now, in a new season, The Retrievals is exposing an even more inconceivable, and yet totally real, phenomenon – how in some cases, C-section patients are not properly prepped with pain meds, and so they “feel everything.” The series also profiles the women who are working to solve this problem.

It’s in our list of recommendations this week. For more to read, listen to, and watch, just keep scrolling.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

It’s hard to remember exactly when the switch flipped. When laying out became verboten, when we started wearing hats and long sleeves, hiding from the sun and reapplying sunscreen. The fear – of sunspots, of weird moles that could be deadly – grew. We’re not alone, which is why cool brands like Hunza G. are rolling out UPF 50+ collections. There are lots of options now, including full-body styles. Here are our favorites.

• With its lettuce-edge hems, this is the rare rashguard we’ve found that feels more fashiony than sporty. The Seea Sila Top, $110. Size XS to XL.

• A cool option for UV and sun glare protection. Cos Oversized Square-Frame Aviator Sunglasses, $120.

• Love a boy short as a bottom, particularly when it comes with a matching rash guard. J.Crew Boy Short Bikini Bottom, $62.65 (with code SHOPNOW). Size XXS to 3XL.

• Clean, minimal, and offers plenty of coverage. Left on Friday Rays Long-Sleeve Top, $100. Size XS to XXL.

• This is great for on and off the beach. Hunza G. Short Sarong, $135. One Size.

• Just perfect. Cover Perfect Swim Rash Guard Tee, $125. Size XS to L.

• Old-school Body Glove vibes. Venroy Zip-Front Swim Tank, $160. Size XS to L.

• A comfortable, packable wide-brim hat. Simplicity UPF 50+ Wide Brim Roll-Up Sun Hat, $20.

• This is an easy layer to toss over bare shoulders for a bit of extra protection. Soleil Sunwear Supercute Supercrop, $129. Size XS to XL.

• Lightweight and timeless. Izipizi Paris Sunglasses, $70.

• Versatile, and the right price. L.L.Bean SunSmart UPF 50+ Sun Shirt, $45. Size XS to 3XL.

• The colors on this are so good. Juliet Juliet One-Piece UPF 50+, $160. Size S to XL.

• A chic black style. Hakea Swim Aire Turtleneck, $140. Size 2 to 12.

• We truly swear by this embarrassingly-named beach shade. Shibumi Shade, $208.

• Extremely practical. Nike DriFit Bucket Hat, $34.

• We appreciate how you can toss this zip-up on like a jacket. Carve Designs Lake Colorblock Sunshirt, $78. Size XS to XL.

• She really makes the most beautiful wetsuits. Cynthia Rowley Wetsuit, $275. Size XS to L.

• Covered up, but still super sexy. Watkins Sunwear Andi Short Bodysuit, $365. Size XS to XL.

• Cute and affordable. Old Navy Straw Bucket Hat, $20.

• When you want full-body coverage, this is the brand. Tutu Blue Classic UPF 50+ Full-Body Long Swimsuit, $175. Size XS to XL.

• Lightweight and easy to set up. Neso Grande Tent, $150.

• We’re into the retro colors on this sporty cropped top. Speedo Long-Sleeve Rash Top, $60. Size XS to 2XL.

• The sort of swimwear you need when you’re chasing after young kids. Lands’ End 3-Inch Swim Shorts, $34. Size 2 to 18.

Shop the Story

TO WATCH It’s easy to be nostalgic for the days when a bunch of rock stars gathered together to raise $127 million to help feed starving people (particularly when you read things like this). On its 40th anniversary, CNN looks back at Live Aid with a new four-part series, Live Aid: When Rock ‘N’ Roll Took on the World. It features archival footage, as well as interviews with some of the luminaries that took part, like Sting, Patti LaBelle, Lionel Richie, and Phil Colllins. You can stream it on CNN, or on HBO Max.

TO TRY To fight fine lines, melasma, and other signs of sun damage, we take this supplement in addition to using sunscreen daily. It’s packed with antioxidant properties, and is derm-recommended to aid in eliminating free radicals. Click here to give it a try. #partner

TO READ There are lots of gossipy tidbits in NYT media reporter Michael Grynbaum’s new book, Empire of the Elite (Bookshop, Amazon), about publisher Condé Nast. You can get a sense of it from this quick quiz; we scored a 23 out of 32.

TO SHOP We’re shocked — and amazed — and what Nordstrom has marked down for its Anniversary Beauty Sale. The Augustinus Bader Rich Cream? The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer? That St. Tropez self-tanning mousse everyone’s obsessed with? It’s all on sale, plus more like Westman Atelier makeup, Roz haircare, and Nécessaire lotion and body wash. Honestly, impressive. #partner

TO LISTEN The new season of The Retrievals is all about C-section pain, and how sometimes, women are put through major abdominal surgery without proper anesthesia. They speak with women who’ve experienced this, and those who are seeking to solve it.

Jenna Lyons shares her wardrobe staples. • Bloc Party does a Tiny Desk concert! • The connection between early periods and Type 2 diabetes later in life. • “Step aside longevity bros. It’s time for the longevity ladies.” • Giant wall calendars have become crucial family aids.

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