By Dr Radha Modgil

If you haven’t heard the Twenty One Pilots track Stressed Out, then take a listen - it encapsulates feeling completely overwhelmed and the longing to return to a time when we felt a bit freer. It’s the perfect track to put on your playlist during April’s Stress Awareness Month.

Stress has an insidious way of creeping up on us, like a cloud covering the sun, and before we know it, we have tipped from perhaps low stress levels into complete and utter overwhelm and even burnout if we don’t notice and act fast to change things.

And it’s more common than you think - research shows 85% of us experience stress at some point and 63% at least on a weekly basis, with women 10% more likely to experience stress than men daily. In 2026, research shows 66% of women experience stress at least weekly.

Stress, in itself, is not the problem. It’s actually a normal physiological response to a threat.

Back in the days when we were at risk of being attacked by wild animals our ‘stress response’ was absolutely on point. And even today, if we are in acute danger, our bodies go into a made to measure ‘fight or flight ‘mode and we have a surge of adrenaline and cortisol (our stress hormone) that allow us to either tackle the threat or to evade it. When the perceived danger has passed, these chemicals and hormones go back to their baseline normal levels.

The problem is that we can fall into the trap of perceiving all kinds of things that make us feel threatened psychologically or emotionally, rather than being in actual physical danger. These ‘mis-triggers’ are things we might frequently encounter in all of our life zones: work pressure, moving home, family disputes, financial worries, relationship breakdown, friendship conflicts, bereavement or illness.

Even with these everyday triggers, stress can actually be useful in small, short doses because adrenaline and cortisol can help us perform better, be more productive and make us more motivated to take action and solve problems.

The issue comes when it’s chronic with no resolution, excessive in amount and pervasive in nature. In addition, it has a damaging impact on us physically, mentally and emotionally when we don’t notice it, ignore it, or don’t try to reduce it.

Chronic stress keeps cortisol and adrenaline persistently high and that impacts our bodies and brains in all kinds of ways. We’re then at higher risk of mental health impacts: anxiety, depression, irritability, memory issues, poor decisions, difficulty concentrating and insomnia. It also contributes to a higher risk of physical health problems: high blood pressure, weakened immunity, digestive issues, muscular tension and weight gain. And finally, there’s a higher risk of relationship breakdown, of isolating yourself, using things like alcohol or smoking to ‘escape’ how we feel and of neglecting self-care.

If you are tired of feeling stressed out then here are my 7 ways to tackle it:

Acknowledge your stress

It’s all too tempting to just carry on because we are busy and because we just ‘haven’t got the time’ to deal with it. Avoid going into denial. Are people noticing you’re getting more irritable? Are you finding it difficult to relax? Are you sleeping badly? Have you started getting tension in your shoulders or jaw? Have you stopped going for that regular coffee with a friend or to that gym class that makes you feel better? Name it because when we do, we can then take control of it. Stop, take a breath and tell the people around you who love you what is going on.

Identify the cause

Often, we can pinpoint the problems in our lives that are making us feel so stressed, but sometimes it is not always so easy. Write down what is happening right now in each zone of your life and score how you are feeling in each. This can give you some clues. If it’s still tricky then ask a close friend to talk things through with you. It can be helpful when you have written the things that are making you worry, to list them in order of impact out of 10. You can then tackle maybe a combination of lower scoring issues, or alternatively one high scoring problem, depending on how easy they are to tackle. Be honest about what is causing you to feel stressed; people, situations, relationships, work. No one and no thing should be pushed away just because there is some fear in naming them.

Set boundaries

Before we can move into problem solving, we need to create some space and energy from somewhere - not easy when we are so worn down and tired. One way to do this is to set some boundaries. Start saying ‘no’ to things - other people’s demands and activities that are taking away unnecessary energy and time. Look at your day, week and month ahead in advance and start freeing things up in your diary. Only plan to do a certain number of things in any week, and only go to a certain number of locations in one day. Prioritise the time you go to bed and how much sleep you will have. These things will give you enough reserve to start the next step.

Problem solve

Some things can improve and it’s helpful to put your energy into what you can control and what you can change. Avoid metaphorically banging your head against a brick wall trying to change people, things and situations that are out of your control. Break down the problem into smaller issues and next to each one write down some ideas you could take, or actions you could delegate to someone else to support you with. Begin small, but be determined and persistent because once you start seeing progress and improvement, you will feel less stressed and much more motivated to keep going.

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Find your strategies

We all have certain things that make us feel less stressed; what are your top three go-to strategies? Science shows moving our bodies helps by releasing dopamine and serotonin which boost our mood; meditation and mindfulness help us relax; deep breathing activates our parasympathetic nervous system which reduces stress; being out in nature lifts our mood;, and eating well, sleeping well and reducing screen time can also support us. You might find music, art, crafting, baking, gardening, writing, films, books and hobbies help. And don’t forget to laugh, see people who make you feel good and hugs help too. List your strategies and use them regularly.

Accept life can be stressful at times

There are challenges in life that we cannot change and that we have to accept or we just remain stressed our whole lives. We cannot control other people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours. We cannot control certain sudden life events. We cannot control world events. In fact, when you think about it, the only thing we can control is ourselves - our thoughts, our feelings and our actions. This realisation can sometimes bring a huge sense of relief. You can drop the other stuff because it is not yours to hold. Acceptance of some of the stress-inducing stuff actually helps to reduce the stress itself.

Walk away

It is not always possible, but if you can walk away, then do so. We sometimes believe we have to struggle through problems, that we are trapped and not allowed to say ‘no more’. But, we can. Each of us deserves peace of mind, love, respect, good health and to put ourselves first. What is the alternative? When you next feel stressed, remind yourself that you are important too, and decide that even if the problem is not going away, maybe you either walk away - literally or mentally.

Dr Radha Modgil is an award-winning medical doctor and GP, TV presenter and author of Know Your Power: Inspiration, Motivation and Practical Tools For Life. You can read more about her here drradha.co.uk and follow her on Instagram.

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You know your own body best during pregnancy. But knowing when something might be wrong depends on having high quality, clear information at the right time.

When pregnancy health information is clear, timely and evidence based, it helps women make informed decisions, recognise potential risks earlier, and seek care when it is needed. In turn, this can help support safer outcomes for both parent and baby.

That is the focus of a new initiative from Tommy’s, the pregnancy and baby charity, which has launched the Pregnancy Health Information Questionnaire to better understand how key pregnancy health messages are shared across the UK, and whether they are reaching people when they are most needed.

The survey will explore how pregnancy health information is accessed, how well it is understood, and whether women and birthing people feel they have received enough guidance to support a healthy pregnancy. It also aims to highlight gaps in communication, with the findings set to inform how future messaging is developed, targeted and delivered.

Tommy’s goal is to ensure that important health information is not only evidence based, but also clear, consistent and available at the right moment. By running the questionnaire regularly, the charity also hopes to track progress over time and build a stronger evidence base on what makes pregnancy information effective.

Women and birthing people who are currently pregnant or who have been pregnant in the last three years are invited to take part, including those who have experienced baby loss.

Take part in the Pregnancy Health Information Questionnaire and share your experience to help ensure everyone has the information they need, when they need it.

Participants will also be entered into a prize draw to win a £250 Mamas & Papas voucher or a shopping voucher as a thank you.

By Jaqui Rhule-Dagher, Lawyer and Founder of Legally Queerly

I am at a Pride lunch under the guise of being an ally. The event is being held by the law firm where I work. Feeling nervous, I try to stay calm and composed. But no sooner has the food been placed on my plate, than I leap up. Fleeing the room, I rip off my rainbow lanyard and discard it in a nearby plant pot.

Why the extreme reaction? Although nobody has explicitly said to me, “If you come out it will ruin your career”, I am already hyper aware that I am one of the few Black people at my firm. I don’t want to add my sexuality to the mix too.

Flash forward to today, more than a decade later, and I am now proudly out at work. But the journey to get here has not been easy. The reality is that there are not huge numbers of out lawyers. In 2025, 2.6% of lawyers identified as lesbian or gay, just a slight increase from 2.1% in 2015, according to the Solicitors Regulation Authority. 

The absence of out senior leaders can leave junior lawyers feeling isolated and excluded.

While 3% of partners in larger firms (50+ partners) are gay men, only 1% are lesbian women. Many people also feel pressure to conceal their sexuality to fit into a heteronormative framework. I have heard of people being too afraid to announce their engagement to colleagues, for fear of being viewed negatively. Research by the Trades Union Congress found that 34% of LGBTQ+ legal professionals still face microaggressions in the workplace, such as offensive “banter”.

Challenges are compounded when a person exists at multiple intersections. Characteristics such as class, race, religion and gender can interact to create unique experiences of privilege or oppression.

The importance of visibility cannot be overstated. If you don’t see people who look like you, you can start to think there is something wrong with the way you look. Representation impacts attitudes and culture. When people see lesbians and queer individuals working authentically, it challenges perceptions. If I had seen diverse role models from the start of my career, it would have made a massive difference.

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If all that is not enough to persuade you of the importance of inclusion, lesbian and queer visibility also makes business sense, enhancing innovation and problem-solving.

Remembering the dearth of role models when I entered the legal industry, I founded Legally Queerly in April 2023. This initiative involves lesbians and queer individuals in the legal industry, or in-house lawyers, writing about their careers and the power of visibility, in a feature published by DIVA magazine. 

To date, over 100 individuals have taken part in Legally Queerly. Consistent visibility acts as “profound advocacy”, directly disrupting harmful stereotypes and unconscious biases.

My advice to aspiring and junior lesbian and queer lawyers? Establish a “Personal Board of Directors” at the outset of your career. Seek out a group of trusted mentors, including senior lawyers, who can offer guidance on early years in practice. Reverse mentoring senior lawyers can also be a brilliant way of sharing your lived experiences and positively impacting your firm’s inclusion efforts.

When applying to firms, search for meaningful initiatives, such as inclusive parental leave and trans-inclusive health benefits. Try to unearth whether the firms have openly LGBTQIA+ lawyers and active Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

If you’re an ally, then participating in ERGs is powerful, showing that inclusion is a firm-wide concern and not just a minority issue. You can also make a difference by calling out microaggressions or offering sponsorship – using your political capital to ensure opportunities are distributed equitably.

Although being lesbian and queer in the legal industry can present specific challenges, it can also offer unique opportunities. Two years after that disastrous Pride lunch, on starting my training contract at another firm, I made the decision to be out at work. Since then, I have had the pleasure of meeting incredible people I may not have otherwise encountered. I have been able to help shape policies and strategy. Significantly, the Legally Queerly contributors are now positive role models for others. The biggest lesson I have learned is this: being out is not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

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By Freja Love, Social Producer at The Female Lead

I went in knowing very little about John Proctor, Is The Villain (and about The Crucible, sorry!), but I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

Written by Kimberly Belflower, John Proctor Is the Villain drops us into a small-town Georgia classroom in 2018, where a group of 16-year-olds are studying The Crucible as the fallout of #MeToo hums in the background. As their awareness of what’s happening - both globally and within their own community - sharpens, the girls begin to question things. Beth, an enthusiastic high-achiever, is spurred on by new student Nell to set up a feminist club, with their attentive and outgoing teacher, Mr Smith, stepping in to support it. What starts as literary analysis quickly spirals into something far more personal: a messy, funny, devastating interrogation of power and belief that dares you to reconsider something you thought you understood.

But if the play interrogates power, it centres something else entirely: teenage girls. And crucially, without trivialising their problems.

“One of the biggest takeaways is to take teenage girls seriously,” Director Danya Taymor tells me. “To really listen to what they’re saying.”

It sounds obvious, but apparently it isn’t.

Dónal Finn, who plays the charismatic teacher, Carter Smith, points out just how rare it is.

“Other dramas that are about that time in your life can make it seem quite trivial,” He says “Problems that you have as a 15 or 16 year old are treated with a kind of flippancy, like, ‘it’s not that important’ - but they are really formative years of your life. Things that happen to you absolutely shape your worldview.”

Clare Hughes, who plays privileged Ivy, puts it just as clearly: “It’s really easy to dismiss how big your feelings are at that age… but they’re going through completely life-altering moments.”

The play refuses to trivialise what the young women have to say. Instead, it treats their experiences with the same weight you’d give any “serious” drama - something Danya was intentional about from the start.

“I approached it like it’s Shakespeare or Chekhov,” she explains. “When you treat the text seriously, you take the characters seriously too.”

Lauryn Ajufo, who plays new girl Nell, describes it as watching a group of girls try to make sense of something they know isn’t right: “There are things happening in the play that are not normal, but society has allowed it to be… and what you see is a group of girls who discuss and debate that, and try to find the right within the wrong.”

“It’s a really beautiful, messy portrayal of young women,” Clare adds, explaining how every character makes mistakes, but isn’t reduced to them.

Belflower’s dialogue perfectly captures the way young girls talk to each other with humour, vulnerability, and an undercurrent of everything they’re absorbing about the world around them.

These girls aren’t perfect feminist archetypes - they contradict themselves and get things wrong. And it’s this refusal to simplify things that gives the play its edge.

Instead, it becomes a brilliantly accurate reflection of teenage girlhood: the intensity, the certainty, and the lack of language for what you’re actually feeling. They’re figuring things out in real time - feminism, identity, friendship, love, anger - and, in doing so, begin to find their voices.

“It’s about finally being able to say, wait, I have opinions,” says Molly McFadden, who plays their well-meaning guidance counsellor Miss Gallagher, “I can disagree with what I’ve been told is right.”

That gut feeling - when something doesn’t sit right, even if you can’t fully explain why - came up again and again.

Holly Howden-Gilchrist, who plays naive but eager Beth, described it as a physical feeling before it was a verbal one: “I remember being 14 and not having the words to express how I felt… it was just a full-body feeling of, ‘this is injustice.’”

Clare shared something similar. She described that time in her life as the first moment she felt truly fired up by what she believed in - particularly when it came to defending her friends. “Some men were being truly awful,” she said. It wasn’t about standing up for herself yet, but “batting for your friends” - an early, instinctive feminism built on loyalty and anger.

I asked the cast what they want audiences to leave with.

“I’d like people to leave with more questions than answers,” Lauryn said.

“When the system fails, you turn to your community,” Sadie Soverall said. She plays Shelby - witty, sharp, and awkward - who returns to school halfway through the play carrying more than her fair share of emotional baggage. “That’s a really important message right now.”

Danya echoes that same complexity when she talks about the play. There is no singular message, because there can’t be.

“Things are not black and white. There are no absolutes. Real life is complicated and messy and hard to unpack.”

“I just hope audiences feel,” She says.

I don’t doubt that for a second.

John Proctor Is The Villian runs at the Royal Court Theatre in London until 25th April

The ensemble cast include: Sadie Soverall (Saltburn), Holly Howden Gilchrist (I Swear), Lauryn Ajufo (Boiling Point), Clare Hughes, Miya James, Dónal Finn (Hadestown, Young Sherlock, The Other Bennet Sister) , Molly McFadden (Finding Joy), Charlie Borg and Reece Braddock, directed by Danya Taymor.

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We’re told a lot of things over the course of our lives, but sometimes you get a piece of advice so good, it can shape who you become. At the 2026 Olivier Awards, we asked nominees and winners to share the best piece of advice they’ve received from a woman - the kind that’s guided their careers and helped get them to where they are today. Their answers were thoughtful, unexpected, and far too good to keep to ourselves…

In this issue of Take The Lead, we’re spotlighting two long-overdue milestones for women. First, the creation of a 3D-printed anatomical map of the clitoris - an organ that has been historically overlooked and under-researched in medicine. Then, a look at groundbreaking changes to women’s workplace rights in the UK, set to have a significant impact, particularly for low-paid women.

We also sat down with Gugu Mbatha-Raw ahead of her new Amazon Prime Video film Fuze, where she spoke about finding agency and making a difference, even when the world feels overwhelming. And Kerry Washington opened up candidly about her abortion, and the wider fight for women’s health rights, on an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast.

Enjoy, share it with your friends, and let us know what you think!

The Female Lead Team

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We’re talking about…

🧬 Mapping the clitoris properly - For the first time, scientists have created a detailed 3D map of the clitoris - a breakthrough led by Ju Young Lee at Amsterdam University Medical Center. Using high-energy X-rays on donated tissue, the study reveals the full network of nerves linked to sexual pleasure.

For decades, the clitoris has been overlooked in medical research, with understanding trailing far behind male anatomy (which was mapped properly nearly 30 years ago). This new mapping will help to correct outdated ideas and change how surgery is done, helping doctors avoid nerve damage during pelvic procedures and better protect sexual function.

⚖️ Stronger rights at work - New protections under the Employment Rights Act 2025 are set to make working life fairer for women across the UK, with changes rolling out through 2026 and 2027. Big shifts include mandatory menopause support plans in larger companies, stronger protections during pregnancy and after returning to work, and tougher expectations on employers to prevent sexual harassment - including from customers. Employers will also have to show how they’re actually closing gender pay gaps, not just reporting them.

Inspire me…

The Female Lead attended the Olivier Awards with Cunard Green carpet on Sunday, 12th April, and while there was plenty of talk about performances and nominations, we were more interested in something else - advice that actually works.

We asked nominees, winners, and guests about the best piece of advice they’ve ever received from a woman - the kind that’s guided their careers and helped get them to where they are today. Their answers were thoughtful, unexpected, and far too good not to share.

Read the full article here

Final thought…

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We’re told a lot of things over the course of our lives, but sometimes you get a piece of advice so good, it can shape who you become. At the 2026 Olivier Awards, we asked nominees and winners to sha…

Read more

The Female Lead attended the Olivier Awards with Cunard Green carpet on Sunday, 12th April, and while there was plenty of talk about performances and nominations, we were more interested in something else - advice that actually works.

We asked nominees, winners, and guests about the best piece of advice they’ve ever received from a woman - the kind that’s guided their careers and helped get them to where they are today. Their answers were thoughtful, unexpected, and far too good not to share.

Rachel Zegler (Best Actress in a musical Nominee and Winner)

Before picking up the Olivier award for Best Actress in a Musical, first-time nominee Rachel Zegler told us about some truly special advice she had received from Dame Helen Mirren.

“Helen Mirren has given me all of the best advice. So has Lucy Liu, who is an angel… they’re both my angels sent from above. And it really is to just stay true to yourself. And the noise doesn’t matter, it just doesn’t matter. They’re going to tear down a woman for anything. They’ve also been through it the way that I have, so I have learned so much from them. And I just love them madly.”

Corbin Bleu (Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical nominee)

“I went to Debbie Allen Academy when I was a young boy, when she first opened the academy. And, I don’t know if it’s a specific piece of advice as much as the value of discipline. That was truly the groundwork, I think that was built at that academy. And to this day, I mean, if it’s time to buckle down, it’s in my blood.

Adjoa Andoh (presenting awards for Best Actress and Best Lighting)

Adjoa Andoh took it right back to her very first experience on camera.

“The first film director I worked with was a woman called Jackie Duckworth. And, we made a drama documentary about what it is to have multiple sclerosis. Jackie came to my house - I’d never done camera work before, I didn’t go to drama school - and she brought her video recorder, because it was those days. She said, ‘Sit on the sofa.’”

“I sat on the sofa, and she just filmed me talking. Then she put the tape into my recorder and played it back.”

“It was horrific.” At this point, she flaps her arms and twists her face to show just how bad it was.

“Anyway, she said, never do that in front of the camera. I’m sure I have on occasion. But I try to remember not to.”

It’s hard to imagine someone so calm and commanding on screen ever feeling that unsure in front of a camera - which makes her honesty all the more brilliant.

Elaine Paige (honoured for the Special Award)

For someone so synonymous with the stage, Elaine Paige’s advice might surprise you.

“A good friend of mine, Diana Riggs, the late, great Diana Riggs, towards the end of her career, sort of where I’m at now, said to me, “You have to realise that as marvellous as acting and this industry is, there are more things to life than just this. Don’t let [work] take over your whole life so that you don’t enjoy other things.”

“And, and it’s sort of where I’m at at the moment in my life. I’m going to travel, and I’m going to see my friends and go out for dinner and play tennis and all the things that I wasn’t able to do when I was devoted to the theater for so many years.”

An important reminder that even the most dedicated careers shouldn’t come at the cost of everything else.

Arlene Phillips

“The piece of advice my mother gave to me, who passed away when I was quite young, said to me, “Always be kind and when someone’s upset, put your arms around them.”

“It’s helped me as a mother - I remember thinking, how am I going to grow up without my mum giving me hugs? So with my children, with my grandchildren, I just feel a hug can make anything better.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Hayley Squires (Best Actress in a supporting role nominee):

Rather than specific advice, Hayley picked up on a feeling.

“I’ve just worked with Marianne Jean-Baptiste on All My Sons, and that woman is full of wisdom. And the way that she looks at life is inspiring. I can’t even nail it down to one thing, but as a woman, she’s incredible.”

Matt Henry (Devil Wears Prada, guest of Cunard):

Matt shared the kind of advice that feels especially necessary right now, but will ALWAYS hold true.

“My mum taught me so much about respect, respecting women, respecting yourself. You need to be able to respect yourself before you can respect anybody else. And I think I carry that through in so many of my working relationships with women and with men.”

Sue Perkins:

“The best piece of advice is one I’ve learned, which is to make mistakes. And don’t be frightened of making mistakes. Everybody great has made a mistake or two, and it’s a learning tool. It’s your attitude towards the mistake. Mistakes are inevitable, but the attitude that you view them with determines whether you can really surmount them or not. And I think being creative and trying to live a life that’s more irregular is going to be fraught. So just enjoy the ride.”

It’s a refreshing antidote to perfectionism, and something that we all need to remember from time to time. Getting it wrong can be essential in getting there altogether.

Vanessa Williams (Presenting award for Best Actor/Actress in a Musical)

For a second time, Helen Mirren got a shout-out. And for good reason.

“I worked with Helen Mirren, and she said Follow your skill set. What are you good at? Start from there.’”

“And I remember when my youngest was trying to figure out what she should do about college, and I said, ‘You have been videoing every play date that you’ve had since you were seven years old.’ She’d set up the shot, she’d edit it, sync the music. You’re a filmmaker. I said to major in filmmaking for now, and that’ll be a start, and you can do whatever. You know that can offshoot from that. But like, you’re good at it, and you love it and follow your skill set.”

Not only advice Vanessa has held onto, but something she’s passed on to her own children, too - which suggests it’s worth paying attention to.

Different voices and very different advice - but all of it offering something to hold onto. Whether it’s discipline, kindness, resilience or learning to let go, hopefully there’s something in here that will stay with you.

Millions of working women are set to benefit as new UK legislation brings long-overdue improvements to workplace rights.

The reforms will be introduced in stages across 2026 and 2027, with some measures already in effect and are expected to significantly strengthen protections and support for women at work.

Employers will be required to update contracts and internal policies in line with the new rules.

Key changes affecting women under the Employment Rights Act 2025 include:

Menopause support
Large employers (250+ staff) must publish plans showing how they support menopause at work - from appointing champions to offering tailored adjustments.

Gender pay gap
Companies must not just report pay gaps, but set clear, practical plans to close them.

Pregnancy and maternity protection
Stronger safeguards against dismissal during pregnancy, maternity leave, and up to six months after returning.

Sexual harassment
Employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment - including from customers. NDAs that silence victims are no longer valid.

Family and health leave

• Bereavement leave - new right to unpaid leave after a loss

• Pregnancy loss - specific leave and protections for loss before 24 weeks

• Day one rights - paternity and unpaid parental leave available from the first day

Working conditions

• Zero-hours contracts - right to guaranteed hours for eligible workers

• Shift security - compensation for last-minute cancellations and fair notice of shifts

Stronger sick pay and parental leave

Up to 9.6 million workers are set to benefit from improved statutory sick pay under the first wave of reforms, according to new TUC analysis.

Around 1.2 million people - the majority low-paid women - will qualify for statutory sick pay for the first time, as the previous £125 per week “lower earnings limit” is removed.

A further 8.4 million workers will now receive sick pay from the first day of illness, instead of waiting four days.

The changes are expected to disproportionately benefit low-paid women, as well as disabled workers and those at the beginning and end of their careers.

Women’s employment ambassador

Women’s health campaigner and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup has been appointed as the Government’s Women’s Employment Ambassador, a newly created role to to help employers better support women’s health at every stage of their careers and support working women across the country.

A government spokesperson said: “The Employment Rights Act is a huge boost for women in the workplace – introducing enhanced protections for pregnant women and new mothers, menopause action plans for large employers and rights for parental leave from day one.

“Women thriving in the workplace is not just important for equality but for boosting economic growth.”

Society has a tendency to talk about girls as future leaders, future innovators, and future change-makers. But across the world, many of them are already doing the work - often in ways that are practical, specific, and rooted in everyday experience.

For Maegha Ramanathan, the catalyst was sport. After facing sexist comments from male teammates as a young athlete, she realised how widespread the experience was among girls around her. At 13, she founded Girls4Sports to challenge the inequality, creating a global organisation that has since reached more than 1,000 participants, building confidence alongside opportunity.

In Australia, 16-year-old Jayashruthi Palanisamy designed the Echo Glove, a wearable device that translates sign language into speech and spoken words into text. Inspired by the limitations of existing communication methods, it proposes a more immediate, intuitive way for deaf and hard of hearing people to connect.

At age twelve, Rebecca Young designed a solar-powered blanket that stores energy during the day and releases heat at night, after first developing the idea at a school engineering club. Motivated by seeing people experiencing homelessness in Glasgow, she wanted to create a simple source of warmth that did not rely on power. The blanket is now being used by homelessness charities in Scotland, turning a straightforward idea into an immediate, practical impact.

In India, 14-year-old Vinisha Umashankar reimagined a familiar sight after noticing a street vendor discarding charcoal on her way home from school. Curious, she began researching its impact, uncovering links to lung disease and deforestation. Her solar-powered ironing cart replaces charcoal with clean energy, reducing harmful smoke while keeping the same function, offering vendors a more flexible, practical way to work.

Other changes can start with something as ordinary as a school uniform. At eight years old, Georgia from Ipswich questioned why the girls’ trousers in Sainsbury’s did not have proper pockets. She wrote to them, receiving a reply saying her feedback would be considered: “I’m sorry, currently girls’ school trousers do not have pockets. I agree they should,” a representative for the store said. She also organised a petition at her school, and later found pocketed designs in stores. Whilst Sainsbury’s has not commented on whether Georgia’s campaign influenced this, her actions are a reminder that even small voices can spark change, and that noticing what’s missing is often the first step toward fixing it.

Sometimes the starting point is even more personal. At 11, Millie, from Salford, designed colour-changing glasses to make reading easier for people with dyslexia - an idea she first had at eight after struggling with visual stress herself. The glasses use interchangeable lenses to reduce discomfort and improve focus, turning her own experience into something that could help others read more comfortably.

Many of these ideas have been recognised beyond their local contexts. Publications like Time and The Guardian have increasingly highlighted young innovators tackling issues from climate to accessibility, often before they have finished school. What links these stories is not scale, but clarity - each begins with a problem that is seen, felt, and understood.

Taken together, these young women show that change does not always start with expertise or authority. Sometimes it can start with noticing what is missing, and deciding to fix it.

Christina Koch made history this week as mission specialist on NASA’s Artemis II mission as she took off with her fellow astronauts to become the first woman to fly around the moon.

The astronauts – three Americans and one Canadian – took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 1 April on the 10-day voyage, the first time in half a century that humans returned to the vicinity of the moon.

Christina, 47, an engineer and physicist who became an astronaut in 2013, spent 328 days aboard the International Space Station back in 2019, a record for the longest continuous spaceflight by a woman. She was also part of NASA’s first three all-female spacewalks alongside Jessica Meir.

Historically, nearly 90% of astronauts have been men so Christina’s role as a leader in STEM is crucial for inspiring young women and girls. “It feels like an incredible privilege and responsibility,” Christina has said of being part of the Artemis II crew. “We are at a time when everyone who has a dream gets to work equally hard to achieve it.”

On the Artemis II mission, Christina has taken handwritten notes from people close to her for her personal item, a “tactile connection” to loved ones back on Earth.

Surprisingly, the mental load doesn’t seem lighter even when there’s zero gravity. In an interview before takeoff, Christina told reporters that her husband Bob would have to fend for himself at home and not be able to call to find out where lost items are.

“He’s not going to be able to ring me and ask where something is in the house,” she laughed. “He’s going to have to find it.”

In ancient Greek mythology, Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo, who was the namesake of the last Nasa missions that went to the moon. Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, the wild, and - mostly importantly - the moon itself.

And Christina isn’t the only woman shaping the future of space exploration:

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson made history as NASA’s first-ever female launch director, leading the 90-strong Exploration Ground Systems Program. She made the final call, delivering the electrifying “GO!” that sent the mission into the sky. Charlie previously commanded the historic first test flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, Artemis I, guiding the mission all the way to launch.

Laura Poliah, Lander Ground Operations Expert, is part of the Lander Ground Operations team at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and previously served as a lead test engineer for the Orion spacecraft. Her role was to oversee rigorous testing across the crew module, service module, and launch abort system which are vital in keeping the Orion astronauts safe. Laura and her team have been working on testing for Artemis II and Artemis III.

Erica Sandoval is the Program Manager, Abort Motor, Orion Launch Abort System, After completing a degree in mechanical engineering, she worked in rocket motor manufacturing and now leads the team that builds the abort motor for the Orion spacecraft’s launch abort system (LAS). “I had a roundabout path into the space industry, but I love it here,” she said. “I would’ve never imagined that this is where I would end up, but it is an exciting industry and humbling to be a small part of the space industry team.”

Vanessa Wyche is the director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, overseeing spacecraft development, astronaut selection and training, and the iconic mission control room. The centre is home to NASA’s astronaut corps and programs such as the International Space Station, Orion, and the Lunar Gateway, with Vanessa guiding missions to the Moon with Artemis, and laying the foundation for future journeys to Mars.

Research from Thames Valley Air Ambulance in the UK reveals one in three women who suffer a cardiac arrest receive no CPR before emergency crews arrive.

And according to St John Ambulance research, a third of adults in the UK are afraid to give CPR to a woman because they’re worried about touching her breasts. Thirty three per cent of men said they were concerned they would be accused of inappropriate touching when giving chest compressions to a woman, compared to 13% of women.

CPR training has historically only taken place on male manikins, leading to a lack of knowledge and experience of performing life saving chest compressions on women. Now, female CPR manikins are being used by charities such as Thames Valley Air Ambulance to help break the stigma and educate members of the public on how to help save women’s lives while waiting for medics to arrive.

Women are more likely to die from a cardiac arrest because their bra is not removed when a defibrillator is used to give an electric shock to the heart, which can help restore the heart's rhythm and get it beating normally again. When a defibrillator is applied within the first three minutes of cardiac arrest it can increase the chances of someone surviving a cardiac arrest by up to 70%.

Understandably, members of the public assisting someone in cardiac arrest are hesitant to remove a woman’s bra but this crucial act could save her life. Resuscitation charity Bra Off Defib On has highlighted the best way to remove a bra - cutting down the side of the fabric instead of the middle, where a wire often is - to make sure skin is exposed for defibrillation which will only work on bare skin.

To close the gender CPR gap, Thames Valley Air Ambulance is being supported by the charity’s royal patron, The Duchess of Edinburgh who got involved with a CPR session recently.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance Chief Executive Amanda McLean says: “Early CPR gives us the best possible chance of saving a life. But we know confidence rates to step in and perform CPR are low and, sadly, they appear to be even lower for women in cardiac arrest. Notions of modesty should never get in the way of saving a life. That’s why we include manikins with breasts in our CPR awareness sessions, and we show people how to cut through a bra before applying defibrillator pads.”

You can watch a video on giving CPR presented by Thames Valley Air Ambulance critical care paramedic Tracey here.

How to give CPR

For an unresponsive adult not breathing, call emergency services immediately and perform CPR - place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest (between the nipples) and the other hand on top, interlocking fingers. Kneeling, keep arms straight and use your body weight to press down 5–6cm at a rate of 100–120 beats per minute. These songs all match this rhythm so help you give lifesaving treatment while waiting for emergency services to arrive:

Shake It Off – Taylor Swift

Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees

Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter

Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

Flowers – Miley Cyrus

Dancing Queen – ABBA

I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor

You’ve probably seen Louis Theroux: Manosphere by now – and if not, you’ve likely read about it.

Whatever you make of the online debate over the past few weeks, the episode is deeply unsettling.

We’re introduced to a mix of “manosphere” influencers – different faces, but the same dangerous blend of beliefs about masculinity, success and women’s place in the world.

We can warn young people that this content is misleading or harmful, tell them not to take it seriously – but when the voices on their screens are louder, more constant and more confident, we may already be fighting a losing battle.

Read the full article below.

Welcome back to Take The Lead, the fortnightly newsletter from The Female Lead.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the articles you loved this month.

One in 10 women and those born with a uterus are affected by endometriosis, yet the average time to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK has now reached 9 years and 4 months, new data has been released by Endometriosis UK to highlight the struggles of women seeking diagnosis and support.

Meta’s AI glasses are being marketed as the next step in wearable technology, but as their use grows, so do concerns about misuse - particularly around women’s safety and privacy. Emerging experiences suggest these tools are entering an online culture where boundaries around consent and privacy are becoming blurred.

Have you seen the amazing video of a group dads learning to braid hair in the pub? Pints and Ponytails (hosted in collaboration with Braid Maidens) was set up by Lawrence and Mat from Secret Life of Dads. Originally set up for men to learn how to style their daughters’ hair, it quickly became something even more meaningful.

And a new study proves “baby brain” does exist, but it is far from the dismissive stereotype it has long been reduced to. New findings show pregnancy reshapes the brain itself, with shifts that may actually support emotional connection and responsiveness, rather than signal any kind of decline.

Enjoy this issue, share it if you like it, and reply directly to let us know what you think.

You can also catch up on our most recent full newsletter here.

The Female Lead Team

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The Female Lead is a charity on a mission to empower women.

In the last 8 years, we have given access to books and teaching materials to 2.5 million students in 25,000 schools around the world. We carry out research that reframes our understanding of women’s experience, such as our Fulfilment Finder survey which reveals what matters most to women at different life stages. It has now been completed by 150,000 women globally.

We can’t run the charity without your support.

For just £3.50 a month or £25 a year, you can make a huge difference.

Your donations allow us to continue to provide teaching resources and education to girls and women around the world, conduct groundbreaking research, and share science and stories online.

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You’ve probably seen Louis Theroux: Manosphere by now – and if not, you’ve likely read about it.

Whatever you make of the online debate over the past few weeks, the episode is deeply unsettling.

We’re …

Read more

For decades, “baby brain” has been shorthand for something dismissive: forgetfulness, fuzziness, the brain fog and memory problems during pregnancy and postpartum. It’s a phrase often delivered with a shrug of apology by a mother or worse, a smirk from someone watching a woman struggling.

But a recent study indicates that pregnancy has a profound structural impact on brains and offers new clues into the neurological changes in mums‑to‑be.

Research over the past decade by a group of scientists in Spain and the Netherlands has been mapping those changes in unprecedented detail.

Findings in the largest research to date suggests that grey matter - the nerve-rich part of the brain involved in processing information, emotions and empathy - decreases by an average of nearly 5% during pregnancy.

And scientists working on the Be Mother project say these changes may be beneficial when it comes to caring for newborns.

The brain changes on purpose

Researchers led by Prof Susana Carmona, director of the NeuroMaternal at the laboratory at the Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute in Madrid, and co-lead with Prof Oscar Vilarroya, scanned the brains of 127 first time pregnant women five times - before, during and after pregnancy - and compared them to scans from 52 women who had never been pregnant.

The results were consistent and striking. Grey matter decreased by nearly 5% in regions of the brain involved in self-awareness, reading others’ emotions and social perception during pregnancy, reaching the lowest point in the final weeks before birth. By six months after birth, grey matter regained volume by around 3.4%. This was seen in all women who took part in the study.

Rather than damage or loss, scientists believe this reduction in grey matter reflects a process known as “pruning”, the brain trimming away unnecessary connections to become more efficient.

“I like to use the metaphor of pruning a tree,” Professor Carmona says. “Some of the branches are cut to make it grow more efficiently.”

Rewiring for connection

The women who showed the most pronounced brain restructuring were also more likely to report stronger bonding with their babies. This suggests something powerful: pregnancy may biologically prepare the brain for connection.

One participant in the study put it plainly: “Rather than becoming dumber, we are becoming more specialised for the job.”

Pregnancy is physically and emotionally demanding. Sleep is disrupted. Energy is ebbing.

Related articles

The dominant narrative for decades reduced carrying a baby to inconvenience with mental fog, missed appointments and forgotten names. Which are all real experiences for many expectant mothers.

But these cognitive changes appear to be driven by biology itself, not just the experience of becoming a parent. The transformation seems to be closely tied to pregnancy hormones, especially oestrogen, which rise dramatically and track alongside these neurological shifts.

And the changes don’t simply disappear after birth. While some grey matter returns, traces of this transformation can remain for years, a lasting imprint of matrescence, the transition into motherhood. Other research has shown brain scans alone are able to correctly identify which women had been pregnant even six years after birth, with more than 90% accuracy, proving pregnancy leaves a lasting mark on the brain.

So perhaps the real issue with “baby brain” isn’t that it’s inaccurate but that it’s incomplete. It’s a reprioritisation for new mums to put resilience, perspective, and clarity at the forefront of mind. And pregnant women should no longer be diminished with the turn of phrase, but respected for her transformation, body and mind.

Matrescence - the physical, psychological, and emotional process of becoming a mother - is experienced by millions of women every year, but the lack of research is striking.

Now scientists are beginning to map what happens to the brain during pregnancy. It raises important questions about mental health and how these changes relate to the one in five women who experience depression around the time of birth, support systems, and what it means for health care.

Because if the brain is being reshaped during pregnancy, then the transition to motherhood deserves to be recognised for what it truly is: a major neurological event.

Meta’s AI glasses are being marketed as the next step in wearable technology, a hands-free way to capture content, access information and essentially interact with the world. But as they become more widely used, concerns about how they are already being misused are growing - particularly when it comes to women’s safety and privacy.

You’ve probably already seen the videos. Women being filmed without their consent by men wearing the glasses. Because the camera is built discreetly into the frame, recording is far less obvious than pulling out a phone. There is meant to be a small LED light that signals when filming is happening, but tutorials online show exactly how to cover or disable it, making it easy to record people without them ever knowing.

So this is not hypothetical.

Journalist Jess Davies, who has been reporting on the impact of tech on women for Glamour, notes that these kinds of videos are on the rise. One woman, Annika, told the magazine she was “being used for content without even knowing the video existed”, adding that the man filming her had deliberately covered the recording light. She described it as part of a wider pattern - the “constant hijacking of tech to harm and humiliate women”.

Meta has said its devices include safeguards such as the LED indicator and tamper detection, and that users are responsible for complying with laws and using the product respectfully. The company acknowledged that a “small number of users” misuse its products, adding that it continues to review ways to improve safety.

However, reporting from the BBC suggests the issue is more widespread. Women have described being unknowingly filmed in public and later finding those interactions uploaded to social media, often attracting large audiences and abusive commentary. One woman said she felt “afraid to go out in public” after discovering a video of her had been posted online without her consent. Another described feeling physically sick after a filmed interaction at the gym was shared and quickly gained thousands of views.

In both cases, the women had no indication they were being recorded at the time. And while the videos themselves were distressing, the aftermath - including sexually explicit and derogatory comments - exacerbated the harm. As one woman put it, the most frightening part was how “out of control” the situation felt.

Advocates say this kind of misuse is not unexpected. Rebecca Hitchen, from the End Violence Against Women Coalition, told the BBC that the use of smart glasses in this way is “sadly, very predictable”, pointing to existing patterns of harassment and abuse directed at women and girls online.

Related articles

Beyond how the technology is already being used, reports of what could come next are even more worrying. Reporting by The Independent highlights warnings from charities about the potential introduction of facial recognition features in smart glasses - tools that could allow wearers to identify people and access information about them in real time.

Domestic abuse organisations, including Refuge and Women’s Aid, have warned that these features pose a “direct and serious” risk to survivors. Emma Pickering, from Refuge, explains that stalking is already a common tactic used by abusers, and that tech enabling instant identification could make it easier to locate and track victims.

Charities argue that women’s safety should be considered a “foundational principle” in the design of new technologies, rather than something addressed after products are released. Data from Refuge shows a significant increase in cases involving technology-facilitated abuse, confirming a broader trend in how digital tools can be misused.

Taken together, these reports point to a wider issue. While smart glasses and AI-powered devices are often presented as innovative and convenient, their real-world impact depends heavily on how they are used - and misused.

There is, of course, nothing inherently harmful about a device that records video or uses AI to interpret the world. But the experiences being shared suggest that, in practice, these tools are entering an online culture where boundaries around consent and privacy are already blurred.

And that is where the major concern lies.

While companies emphasise safeguards and responsible use, the reality described by women in these reports is one where those safeguards can be bypassed, and where the consequences of misuse fall disproportionately on them.

The technology may be new, but the pattern is not.

It was out of her own personal curiosity that documentary filmmaker Stacey Tenenbaum began working on her project Tough Old Broads.

“I’m heading towards middle age,” she says. “I was wondering what it was about these ladies that allowed them to break barriers, especially in a time where things were even more stacked against women.”

The documentary follows three pioneering women whose work helped reshape the worlds of sport, environmental activism and civil rights: marathon runner Kathrine Switzer, Canadian Inuit activist Siila Watt-Cloutier, and photographer Sharon Farmer. Each became the first woman to achieve something significant in a male-dominated space, and each has continued working for change well into later life.

Stacey initially imagined the film would explore ageism. But as production unfolded, that theme ended up slipping into the background.

“The same thing that allowed these women to be trailblazers has sort of protected them from ageism,” she says. “They just don’t care. They move ahead.”

That attitude and instinct to push forward rather than wait for permission became one of the film’s defining ideas. While age discrimination is definitely real, Stacey found that these women’s long histories of activism and public respect had insulated them from some of its effects.

Stacey began by researching female “firsts”, discovering Switzer through the famous photograph of her being attacked by a race official while running the 1967 Boston Marathon.

“I was looking for trailblazing women who were the first to do something in a man’s world,” she explains. “But I also wanted people with different backgrounds and lived experiences, working in completely different areas.”

It took nearly three years to find the right balance of stories.

Activism had not been her starting point, but all three women turned out to be lifelong campaigners. Kathrine Switzer fought for women’s inclusion in long-distance running, Siila Watt-Cloutier has spent decades advocating for climate justice and Arctic communities, and Sharon Farmer broke barriers as the first Black woman to photograph a sitting US president as Chief Official White House Photographer.

“That was a happy surprise,” Stacey says. “I didn’t go out specifically looking for activists, but that’s what ended up happening.”

In many ways, that coincidence strengthened the project. By following women who had spent decades fighting for change, Tough Old Broads is less about historical milestones and more about endurance - the long, often exhausting work of activism.

“Change is possible,” Stacey says. “But we have to stick to it and keep at it.”

Despite some logistical hurdles, Stacey had some extraordinary experiences from the production. One of her favourite moments involved travelling north to spend time in Arctic communities while filming with Siila Watt-Cloutier.

“It’s such a beautiful place,” she says. “Being welcomed into that community was really special.”

But the most meaningful part of the project, she adds, was the friendships that formed with the three women.

“Getting to know these women so well, that’s the real blessing,” Stacey says. “You don’t get to meet people like that a lot in your life.”

Working on the film also changed her personally. Spending time with lifelong activists reshaped how she thinks about her own role in political and social movements.

“I’ve been radicalised,” she says, only half-joking. “I go to way more protests now than I did before.”

What Tough Old Broads tells us about activism is deliberately broad. Rather than presenting one model for change, the film highlights the different ways people contribute to movements - through public protest, storytelling, advocacy or community leadership.

“Everybody has different skills,” Stacey says. “The idea is to figure out what you care about and what you can bring to creating positive change.”

And it’s this philosophy that shaped the audiences she had in mind while making the film. The first is older viewers, who she hopes will feel encouraged to remain active and engaged in their communities.

“There’s a lot of depression in older communities,” she says. “I wanted people to see that you can still take up space and contribute.”

The second audience is younger people, who she hopes will carry forward the work begun by earlier generations.

“Climate change, civil rights, women’s issues - these aren’t things that will be solved in one generation,” she says. “Young people need to take up the fight where these women leave off.”

Stacey explains that the film’s success isn’t festival recognition but audience response. She recalls screenings where viewers laughed, cried and left the cinema energised by the stories they had just seen.

“People come out wanting to do something themselves,” she says. “That’s what matters.”

The documentary also addresses another issue close to her: the lack of representation for older women in film.

“There’s still a lot of sexism in the industry,” she says. “Women-focused stories don’t get as much attention, and older women get even less screen time.”

Spotlighting these voices was part of the point.

“What you see on screen shows what’s possible,” she says.

Ultimately, Tough Old Broads is less about celebrating the past than about continuing a conversation - one that begins with the question: what can each of us do, in our own communities, to make things better?

Real change rarely begins with grand gestures.

“Sometimes it starts with just one person thinking about what they care about,” she says. “And deciding to keep going.”

You can learn more about Tough Old Broads here.

Lupita Nyong’o has been advocating for better awareness and treatment of uterine fibroids for years - but her latest update puts the scale of the issue into stark focus.

In a candid reflection, Lupita revealed she’s living with more than 50 fibroids, years after surgery to remove dozens before. It’s a reality she says is far from rare - just rarely talked about. As she opens up about the pain and the limited options still on offer, it raises an uncomfortable question about what women are expected to endure and why so little has changed…

In this issue of Take The Lead, we’re diving into two major studies shaping what we understand about women’s health - from how pregnancy reshapes the brain to a breakthrough blood test that could predict dementia decades in advance.

Plus, Autumn Durald Arkapaw made Oscars history with her cinematography work on Sinners and took her moment to acknowledge every woman in the room, while Paramount+ The Madison actress Michelle Pfeiffer reflects on the women who’ve carried her through life’s difficult moments.

Enjoy, share it with your friends, and let us know what you think!

The Female Lead Team

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We’re talking about…

🧠 Rethinking “baby brain” New research by Be Mother suggests pregnancy doesn’t make women less capable, it reshapes the brain for motherhood. The largest study of its kind found grey matter - linked to emotion, empathy and processing - decreases by around 5% during pregnancy. But scientists say this may actually help mothers adapt to caring for a newborn.

“It’s not about becoming forgetful - it’s about becoming more specialised for the job.”

🧪 Dementia detected earlier A breakthrough blood test could predict dementia risk in women decades before symptoms appear. Researchers found that higher levels of a protein linked to Alzheimer’s can signal future cognitive decline up to 25 years in advance, offering a potential window for much earlier intervention. Experts in the UK have welcomed the findings, pointing to rapid progress in developing simple blood tests that could transform early detection.

Inspire me…

Lupita Nyong’o is advocating for better uterine fibroid treatments and awareness after revealing she is currently living with over 50 of them, 12 years after having surgery to remove 30 growths.

To mark her 43rd birthday, Lupita shared the latest on her health condition. “Over the course of my lifetime, I have carried 77 uterine fibroids: 25 surgically removed, and more than 50 still growing inside me today - the largest the size of an orange,” she said. “In this image, I’m holding 77 fruits, as a symbol for each fibroid, to make visible the weight that I, and millions of women like me, carry every day.”

Read the full article here

Final thought…

Become a paid supporter

The Female Lead is a charity on a mission to empower women.

In the last 8 years, we have given access to books and teaching materials to 2.5 million students in 25,000 schools around the world. We carry out research that reframes our understanding of women’s experience, such as our Fulfilment Finder survey which reveals what matters most to women at different life stages. It has now been completed by 150,000 women globally.

We can’t run the charity without your support.

For just £3.50 a month or £25 a year, you can make a huge difference.

Your donations allow us to continue to provide teaching resources and education to girls and women around the world, conduct groundbreaking research, and share science and stories online.

By pledging to make a donation, you get a host of other benefits like:

• Access to our full archive of content on everything from advice from CEOs, to early menopause, to the brain impact of the mental load

• Get the first look at our research reports busting myths around women

• A virtual supporter badge to share and display online

Subscribe now

Share

Lupita Nyong’o has been advocating for better awareness and treatment of uterine fibroids for years - but her latest update puts the scale o…

Read more

To mark her 43rd birthday, Lupita shared the latest on her health condition. “Over the course of my lifetime, I have carried 77 uterine fibroids: 25 surgically removed, and more than 50 still growing inside me today - the largest the size of an orange,” she said. “In this image, I’m holding 77 fruits, as a symbol for each fibroid, to make visible the weight that I, and millions of women like me, carry every day.”

“Expect to be in pain every month”

“When you have fibroids, doctors usually use fruit to explain to you what size your fibroids are. So your fibroid could be the size of a grape,” Lupita’s said. “My biggest fibroid is the size of an orange.”

“This is not a rare story. It is just a rarely told one,” she explained. “I have endured seasons of constant pain, losing dangerous amounts of blood each month, and suffering in silence.”

Before her fibroids were discovered, Lupita, regularly experienced pelvic pain and fatigue. Once her period started, she was told to “expect to be in pain every month”.

“So, when I was experiencing the heavy bleeding, it didn’t sound an alarm. The clotting was not anything remarkable to me. I didn’t understand my body. I didn’t know what was going on, and I didn’t know to be worried,” she said.

Following her 2014 Oscar win for 12 Years a Slave, Lupita was diagnosed with fibroids and had a myomectomy, surgery to remove them for the first time. Doctors extracted 30 growths.

“I asked my doctor if I could do anything to prevent them from recurring,” Lupita has explained. “She said: ‘You can’t. It’s only a matter of time until they grow again’.”

Twelve years later, they have grown again and Lupita’s debating whether to undergo the procedure again.

“So now, 12 years later, I have fibroids again,” Lupita revealed recently. “I have double the amount of fibroids and I’m still being offered the same options: surgery or living with the pain. I haven’t yet chosen the surgery. I’m not ready to make that decision. It’s quite invasive, and a lot of women just get a hysterectomy [to remove the uterus].”

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Ditching women’s health shame

In fact, fibroids are incredibly common.

“Eight out of 10 Black women and 7 out of 10 white women will experience fibroids,” Lupita says. “Yet we speak so little of them. When we reach puberty, we’re taught that periods mean pain, and that pain is simply part of being a woman. I started talking about my experience privately, and I realised so many women are going through this.”

“I felt shame,” Lupita shared recently. “What did I do to cause them? And then I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health.”

Related articles

By sharing her experience, Lupita hopes to change the shame held by so many women and encourage them to seek the support and treatment they deserve.

What you need to know about uterine fibroids

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb (uterus). The growths are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue, and vary in size. They’re sometimes known as uterine myomas or leiomyomas. They are common with 2 in 3 women developing at least one fibroid at some point in their life, most often in women aged 30 to 50.

The exact cause of fibroids is unknown, but they have been linked to the hormone oestrogen, produced by the ovaries. Fibroids usually develop during a woman’s reproductive years (16 to 50) when oestrogen levels are at their highest. They tend to shrink when oestrogen levels are low, such as after menopause.

Many women are unaware they have fibroids because they do not have any symptoms.

Around 1 in 3 women do have symptoms and may experience:

• heavy periods or painful periods

• abdominal pain

• lower back pain

• a frequent need to urinate

• constipation

• pain or discomfort during sex

In rare cases, further complications caused by fibroids can affect pregnancy or cause infertility.

Fibroids can grow anywhere in the womb and vary in size considerably, from the size of a pea to the size of a melon.

If you do have symptoms caused by fibroids, medicine to help relieve the symptoms will usually be recommended first. There are also medications available to help shrink fibroids. If these prove ineffective, surgery may be recommended.

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By Freja Love

Documentary maker Louis Theroux has weighed in on the ‘manosphere’ and it’s as bad, if not worse, than we thought.

In the 90-minute Netflix show, we meet UK-born influencer Harrison Sullivan, better known as HSTikkyTokky, and his close friend Ed Matthews. From the US there’s Myron Gaines, Justin Waller and Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, better known as Sneako.

Five men, different platforms, but broadly the same worldview: a messy Venn diagram of beliefs about masculinity, success and women’s place in the world. Most of it, I hope, will shock viewers.

We should all be worried. I have two younger brothers, and after watching this documentary they’re the first people I want to talk to about it. This is what scares me the most.

These men present their opinion as fact. I should have counted the number of times something was described as “the truth” - whether that was advice about making money, how to be “proper boys” (not “these little soy boys or gimps that walk around in the modern day”), how to live “outside the system”, or which conspiracy theories to believe.

One topic they are particularly confident about is women. What we want. What we should be.

(Did any of you get the call because no one asked me?)

According to Myron Gaines, because he “understands” women, he also “knows what’s best for them”

“Better than they do?” Louis asks

“Yes in many ways. That’s how women want it. They want a man who can lead and dominate them”

Cringe.

At one point, standing on a balcony, Justin Waller gestures towards the buildings around him, claiming, “Men build, invent and maintain society, that’s a fact.”

Louis looks unconvinced. “Don’t women do that too?”

Apparently not.

Justin is firm. Women are “by and large looking for husbands and want to have families”.

Another moment comes during Myron Gaines’ late-night livestream. He plays a video of a supposed neuroscientist claiming women “absorb and retain the DNA of every man they’ve been with via the sperm”.

“Ever wonder why a kid resembles an ex more than the father?” the clip asks. “This is usually why.”

(I have never wondered that, personally.)

Louis quickly points out the misinformation, but Myron doubles down, claiming there has been “some scientific data that reflects this”.

I dread to think what other nonsense has been shared as gospel across the thousands of episodes where Louis Theroux was not there to push back.

HSTikkyTokky, who promotes and profits from OnlyFans creators on his Telegram channel of around 500,000 people, repeatedly expresses disgust for women doing the very work he monetises.

“I think she’s disgusting bro. I think she’s absolutely repulsive as a person,” he says about Bonnie Blue. In the same breath he happily shows Louis a video of himself being “sucked off by a girl the night before”.

His latest venture was House of Heat - an OnlyFans content house where adult creators lived together and cross-promoted one another. He boosted their accounts across his own platforms, taking a percentage of the income generated.

He and Ed Matthews also film so-called “cheeky” content rating women at beaches and festivals, looking for girls in “the tartiest outfits”. Ed, who films women without their consent for these videos, also posts “predator sting” content… It feels contradictory.

Elsewhere, Myron invites a group women onto his podcast seemingly for the purpose of humiliating them. Their knowledge, jobs, “body counts” and appearances are all fair game but when they push back - which I’m certain is the point of the segment - they are labelled “pressed”, “triggered”, or told by viewers to “shut the f**k up”, along with a lame insult about their looks.

There is a word for this. It’s gaslighting. And the whole thing is grim.

The most baffling thing, though, is that all of these men insist they love women. Which means they are teaching young people that this is what loving women looks like.

At best it is backwards. At worst it is dangerous. And with two younger brothers navigating the world online, it’s beyond concerning.

The dangerous effects are starting to show. A study recently found that 31% of Gen Z men in their teens and twenties believe “a wife should always obey her husband”. The study’s co-author says social media has played a “huge role” in shifting attitudes worldwide, exposing boys to “shocking levels of misogyny, both online and offline”. Terrifyingly, many young men are simply “mimicking what they see online without really understanding what that actually means”.

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Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram have all taken action against prominent figures, such as Andrew Tate, who was banned for violating policies on hate speech. But while governments try to keep up with big tech and implement new laws to govern the world online, it can feel like a losing battle.

So what exactly is it about women that these men claim to love?

Not much, it seems.

Across the entire documentary there is barely a single moment where these men describe liking a woman for who she is. The women they speak about exist mainly in terms of what they provide: children, loyalty, domestic labour, sex.

Justin praises his baby mama, Kristen for giving him two children and being open to threesomes. The “lanes they’re in”, he explains, are clear: “she handles diapers and cleaning,” while he “provides”.

That is about as deep as the description goes.

I am not sure whether these men genuinely know nothing about the women in their lives, or whether this really is all they care about. Probably both.

Young women reading this, please, please choose a partner who wants to know - and appreciate - everything about you and likes you for something real. I promise you, they do exist.

Another thing that frightens me is the sheer volume of content people like this are producing. If you are ‘doomscrolling,’ as so many teens and young men are, it would be almost impossible to avoid it entirely - and once you hear something often enough, what stops it starting to sink in?

Research has found social media algorithms amplify extreme content, such as misogynistic posts, which normalises harmful ideologies for young people. In an algorithmic modelling study by UCL, the University of Kent and the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), the level of misogynistic content in the “For You” page of TikTok accounts increased fourfold in just five days on the platform.

The documentary is full of young men approaching the manosphere influencers, shaking their hands, asking for photos, shouting their names and consuming their content. They say young people’s brains are sponges, and these men are lucky for the cognitive plasticity of youth.

HSTikkyTokky insists that 13-15 year olds are not his main demographic, but it does not take much digging to see that younger boys are very much part of the audience. At one point, Justin Waller even congratulates a “13-year-old follower who is making more money than their parents”.

So they know who is watching.

And the reality is that many teenagers probably know more about influencers’ lives and opinions than they do about the people around them, even their own families. Spend enough time on TikTok or Youtube Shorts and those voices start to feel familiar, even authoritative. Before long, the language spreads: boys barking at female teachers, repeating misogynistic phrases, absorbing the idea that there is only one acceptable way to be a man.

The men in the documentary want to make it very clear that they DO NOT CARE what other people think, or how they come across online. But whenever Louis pushes for deeper answers about why they do what they do, the mood shifts. They become cagey.

“Here we go, you’re setting me up…” Justin complains at one point. HS calls him a tw*t.

They hate that Louis Theroux, the investigative journalist, is ‘digging’.

But if they genuinely do not care what people think, how do we hold them accountable?

We can tell young people the content is misleading or harmful. We can warn them not to take it seriously. But if the voices on their screens are louder, more constant and more confident, we may already be fighting a losing battle.

And that is something I find hard to shake.

The documentary itself is compelling - I watched in equal parts fascination and horror - but when it ended I mostly felt sad.

Sad for the young men absorbing this worldview. Sad for my brothers who could have this nonsense pushed to them in feed or have a friend influenced by the dangerous narrative after seeing it too many times online. At least my brothers have me to tell them what’s up.

I’m angry for the young women who will be forced to deal with the dangerous consequences.

And disappointed that, somehow, this is where we are again.