Women's Health: Timing of first childbirth influences women's health at age 40 ♦ Use aspirin to prevent preeclampsia ♦ Active and passive smoking linked to infertility

Timing of first childbirth influences women's health at age 40 A new study finds some surprising ways in which women's health at midlife is connected to when they had their first child and to their marital history.

Research offers recommendations for use of aspirin to prevent preeclampsia To prevent preeclampsia, new research suggests that low-dose aspirin should be given prophylactically to all women at high risk (those with diabetes or chronic hypertension) and any woman with two or more moderate risk factors (including obesity, multiple gestation and advanced maternal age).

Active and passive smoking linked to infertility and earlier menopause Active and passive smoking are linked to infertility problems and a hastening of the natural menopause before the age of 50.

Increased number of IVF cycles can be beneficial, findings suggest Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) is often limited to three or four treatment cycles, new research shows the effectiveness of extending the number of IVF cycles beyond this number.