Chinese Women Research Articles

Genome-wide association analysis of cystatin c and creatinine kidney function in Chinese women

Genome-wide association analysis of cystatin c and creatinine kidney function in Chinese women

Social isolation, loneliness, and functional disability in Chinese older women and men: a longitudinal cross-lag analysis

Social isolation, loneliness, and functional disability in Chinese older women and men: a longitudinal cross-lag analysis

Association Between Serum Uric Acid and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Study in Chinese Women

ABSTRACT Objective The study aims to explore the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) levels in the first trimester and pregnancy outcomes. Methods The clinical data of 1381 pregnant women who delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from June 2021 to July 2022 were collected. All patients were categorized into four groups (Q1-Q4) according to quartiles of UA, using the first quartile of UA as the reference group. Logistic regression analysis was used to observe the correlation between UA and pregnancy outcomes. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was drawn to observe the dose-response relationship between UA and pregnancy outcomes. Results The numbers of GDM patients in Q1-Q4 were 40 (11.70%), 46 (13.49%), 60 (17.29%) and 83 (23.65%), respectively (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher quartiles of UA were significantly associated with an increased prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). After adjusting for confounding factors (maternal age, prepregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and gestational age), compared with the lowest quartile of UA, the highest quartile of UA had 2.06 times odds of GDM (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.34, 3.18; p = 0.001) in Q4. RCS suggested that the risk of GDM increased slowly until UA levels reached 219.43 µmol/L and then began to increase rapidly afterward (overall p = 0.0037). Conclusions Increased uric acid concentrations in the first trimester are associated with an increased risk of GDM and gestational hypertension.

Body adiposity index and other indexes of body composition in predicting cardiovascular disease in the Chinese population: A Cohort study.

The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of four obesity indicators, including waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), body adiposity index (BAI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) on prediction for incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Chinese Han population. We analyzed data from a prospective population cohort of 3598 participants aged 35 to 74 years from Jiangsu China. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between four obesity indicators and CVD risk. The ROC curve was used to assess and compare the diagnostic performance of four obesity indicators. During 8 years (median 6.3 years) of follow-up time, 82 CVD endpoints were collected during follow up (36 men and 46 women). After adjustment for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption and family history of CVD, in men, WC, BMI, and BAI were associated with triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and hypertension. In women, WC, BMI and WHtR were associated with TG, HDL-C, hyperglycemia and hypertension, BAI was only associated with HDL-C, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. ROC curve analysis indicated that BAI have the highest area under the curve to identify CVD, and BMI has the lowest area under the curve to identify CVD in Chinese males. WHtR has the highest area under the curve to identify CVD, and BMI has the lowest area under the curve to identify CVD in Chinese females. CVD risk was more consistently correlated with BAI in Chinese men and more consistently correlated with WHtR and WC in Chinese women.

Viral Meningoencephalitis and Bilateral Blurry Vision.

A 20-year-old Chinese woman was experiencing fever, malaise, headache, nausea, vomiting, and neck stiffness for 2 weeks. Further examination revealed inflammation, vitritis and cystoid macular edema, tortuous dilatation of retinal venous vessels with fluorescence leakage, and hyperfluorescence in the optic disc. What would you do next?

Mammographic density in relation to breast cancer risk factors among Chinese women.

Background Increased mammographic density (MD) is a known breast cancer (BC) risk factor, but its influencing factors are unclear in Asian populations. This study examined the links between known BC risk factors and quantitatively measured MD in 7,351 Chinese women with non-malignant mammographic findings. Methods VolparaDensity software quantified volumetric MD measures: total breast (TBV), absolute dense (ADV), percent dense (PDV= ADV/TBV), and non-dense volumes (NDV= TBV-ADV). Multivariable linear regression models assessed associations between these MD metrics and BC risk factors. Results The mean age of the population was 50.1 (SD=8.3) years. The mean ADV, NDV, and PDV were 58.4 (SD=32.1), 382.8 (SD=202.0) cm³ and 14.8 (SD=7.1) %, respectively. PDV was inversely associated with age, weight, body mass index (BMI), parity, breastfeeding duration, and postmenopausal status, but positively linked to height and age at menopause. NDV showed opposite associations. ADV had similar associations to PDV, except for height, weight, and BMI, which differed for women with the lowest NDV. PDV associations with age at menarche, age at first birth, and breastfeeding duration varied by BMI and menopausal status. Conclusions MD may influence the relationship between reproductive factors and BC risk, depending on MD measure, menopausal status, and BMI. Impact This study examines how quantitative MD measures relate to known BC risk factors in an East Asian population, factoring in menopausal status and BMI. The results underscore the complex role of MD and confounding factors in BC risk, highlighting the need for tailored insights for future research and screening.

Reference intervals of adjacent disc height in fresh osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and the association with postoperative adjacent segment complications: a quantitative study in Chinese postmenopausal women.

Preoperative adjacent disc height (DH) was found as an independent risk factor for adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), indicating the preoperative status of the adjacent intervertebral discs may be closely related to adjacent segment complications. To establish the reference intervals (RIs) for adjacent DH of fresh osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) in Chinese postmenopausal women, and investigate the association with adjacent segment complications after PKP. Consecutive inpatients diagnosed with fresh OVCF between November 2015 and August 2023 were reviewed. The enrolled patients were divided into subgroups based on injured vertebral level; then, the cranial and caudal DH were measured. The characteristics of DH among subgroups were identified, and specific RIs were established using the indirect Hoffmann method. The associations between DH and adjacent segment complications were assessed using multivariate analysis. The DH of the cranial disc was significantly lower than the corresponding caudal disc in all vertebral levels, which showed an increasing trend from T11 to L4. The RIs of DH were as follows: T11 (cranial), 2.14-5.14mm; T11 (caudal), 2.64-5.89mm; T12 (cranial), 2.69-5.77mm; T12 (caudal), 3.18-6.57mm; L1 (cranial), 3.05-6.59mm; L1 (caudal), 3.40-8.29mm; L2 (cranial), 3.68-8.36mm; L2 (caudal), 4.57-9.78mm; L3 (cranial), 4.53-8.92mm; L3 (caudal), 5.26-10.07mm; L4 (cranial), 4.70-11.42mm; and L4 (caudal), 5.52-12.12mm. Increased risks of adjacent segment complications after PKP were observed in patients with decreased adjacent DH. The estimated vertebral level and disc level-specific RIs for adjacent DH of fresh OVCF were established in the Chinese postmenopausal women population. A decrease in adjacent DH posed high risks of adjacent segment complications after PKP for treating OVCF.

Neuroendocrine Tumors in Horseshoe Kidneys: A Review of the Literature With Report of a Novel Finding Expanding Their Morphologic Spectrum

Horseshoe kidney is a rare congenital anomaly with an unusually higher frequency of neuroendocrine tumors. Symptoms are rare, and, in most of the cases, are incidentally diagnosed. The clinical behavior of these tumors is heterogeneous and can be difficult to predict based on histology alone. Necrosis and percentage of Ki-67 may have a role in prognosis. Almost all tumors are carcinoids (well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors) observed at an early age and with no sex dominance. It is not known the reason for the higher frequency of neuroendocrine tumors in horseshoe kidneys and the histogenesis is unknown. One of the hypotheses supports that renal carcinoid tumors may arise from neuroendocrine cells within foci of metaplastic or teratomatous epithelium within the kidney. With consonance with this hypothesis, there are reports of carcinoids in horseshoe kidneys associated with a cystic lesion lined by the intestinal epithelium, with mucinous differentiation and osseous metaplasia, arising in a mature teratoma of the kidney, arising within mature teratoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma, with a mucinous cystadenoma element, and arising within mature cystic teratoma synchronous with primary adenocarcinoma. There is only one reported large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of a horseshoe kidney in a 57-year-old Chinese woman. Herein, we report a patient that to the best of our knowledge is the first case of a combined well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with rhabdoid features in horseshoe kidney. The histologic component of rhabdoid features expands the morphologic spectrum of neuroendocrine tumors in the horseshoe kidney. We provide a comprehensive review of the literature summarizing pertinent key clinical and pathologic aspects.

Genetic study of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in Chinese women unveils East Asian etiology linked to historic HBV epidemic.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common and high-risk liver disorder during pregnancy, with varying prevalence across populations. Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying ICP and its population difference remains limited. This study delves into the genetic etiology of ICP in East Asians, drawing comparisons with Europeans to comprehend ICP etiology in the context of genetic background and evolution. We conducted the hitherto largest-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on fasting total serum bile acids (TBA) and ICP in 98,269 Chinese pregnancies. The findings were replicated in three cohorts and compared with European populations. Additionally, phenome-wide association and spatio-temporal evolution analyses were employed to investigate the function and evolutionary patterns of ICP-associated loci. We identified eight loci for fasting TBA and four for ICP, including ten novel loci. Notably, we discovered an East-Asian-specific locus within a 0.4Mbp region at 14q24.1, which increases fasting TBA by 6.12 μmol/L and ICP risk by 16.56-fold per risk allele (95% CI: 16.43 to 16.69, P = 7.06×10-381). Phenome-wide association and spatial-temporal evolution analyses revealed that this 14q24.1 ICP risk locus confers resistance to hepatitis B and has become prevalent in East and Southeast Asia within the last 3,000 years. We uncovered a distinct genetic etiology of ICP in East Asians, likely linked to a historic HBV epidemic in East and Southeast Asia within the last 3,000 years. These findings enhance our understanding of ICP pathophysiology and offer potential for more precise detection, assessment, and treatment of the disorder. This study provides novel insights into the genetic basis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) in East Asian populations, where little was previously known. The identification of the East-Asian-specific 14q24.1 locus, associated with both fasting TBA and ICP, and its connection to a historical hepatitis B epidemic emphasize the importance of incorporating population-specific history into disease research. These findings are crucial for researchers studying pregnancy-related liver disorders and clinicians providing care to pregnant women, enabling more accurate screening, risk assessment, and targeted interventions for ICP.

Biliary tract infections caused by Enterococcus gallinarum and Escherichia coli: a rare case report.

Enterococcus gallinarum (E. gallinarum), an opportunistic pathogen with intrinsic resistance to vancomycin, has rarely been reported as a predominant pathogen responsible for biliary tract infections. Here, we report a case of biliary tract infections caused by E. gallinarum and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in a 57-year-old Chinese woman with symptoms of upper abdomen pain for 10days. The patient initially received empiric treatment with cefmetazole but failed to improve. Subsequently, bile cultures identified E. gallinarum and E. coli, and cefmetazole was switched to linezolid and meropenem based on drug susceptibility testing. After 10days of antibiotic therapy, the patient successfully recovered and was discharged from the hospital. The findings of this case remind us that E. gallinarum may be the causative factor of biliary tract infections, and timely identification of the causative organism and appropriate antibiotic treatment is important for optimal patient recovery.

Abstract 4138482: The burden of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity among older Latino and Chinese adults with and without limited English proficiency

Background: An estimated 15% of Latinos and 34% of Chinese in the US have limited English proficiency (LEP). However, there is limited information on whether ischemic heart disease (IHD) and its risk factors (hypertension, HTN; diabetes mellitus, DM; and obesity) vary by LEP vs. non-LEP status in these ethnic groups. This information may be valuable for targeting healthcare interventions. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data for Latino (79,588 men, 85,560 women), and Chinese (25,944 men, 32,586 women) adults aged 50-79 years who were members of a northern California health plan in 2018-2019. Age, sex, language preference, obesity (BMI ≥30 for Latino and ≥27.5 kg/m2 for Chinese), and IHD, HTN, and DM diagnoses were abstracted from electronic health records. LEP was defined as Spanish/Chinese vs. English (non-LEP) language preference. Prevalence was compared by LEP status within age-sex groups. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate age-adjusted prevalence ratios. RESULTS: Among Latino men aged 50-64 (57,835, 39% LEP) and 65-79 (21,753, 30% LEP) and Chinese men aged 50-64 (14,751, 42% LEP) and 65-79 (11,193, 40.3% LEP) years, IHD prevalence was lower in LEP vs. non-LEP (Latino: 3.5% vs. 6.0% and 13.8% vs. 19.0%; Chinese: 3.6% vs. 5.8% and 11.9% vs. 14.5%). Similar trends were observed in women, but IHD prevalence was much lower. Among Latino and Chinese men, HTN and obesity prevalence was lower, but DM was similar. For women, HTN was similar, but DM was higher in LEP Latina (age 50-79) and Chinese adults (age 65-79), while obesity was lower in LEP Chinese but not Latina adults. Differences remained after adjusting for age (aPR). CONCLUSION: The burden of IHD, HTN, and obesity is similar or lower among LEP vs. non-LEP Latino and Chinese adults, while the burden of DM is higher for LEP vs. non-LEP Latina and Chinese women. These findings suggest that while DM prevalence is already high, acculturation is associated with higher risk of developing some chronic CVD conditions, underscoring the need for targeted healthcare interventions. Further research is needed to explore mechanisms driving these disparities and to develop culturally appropriate strategies to improve health outcomes.

Becoming a Third Sex?: Chinese Women and Postgraduate Education

ABSTRACTThis article explores how women's postgraduate education becomes entangled with heteronormative gender regimes enacted in public discourses that caution against women becoming too educated in China. The cultural capital of the PhD is obliterated by the loss of cultural capital resulting from gender non‐conformity. Two powerful discourses—‘leftover women’ and women with PhDs as a ‘third sex’ operate in tandem, we argue, to make the decision to study at postgraduate level challenging for women in China. Theoretically informed by neotraditionalist familialism, heteronormativity, chrononormativity and the potent affective ecology of shame, this research makes a significant contribution to scholarship on gender and higher education internationally by analysing the lived experiences of 15 Chinese postgraduate female students. The article suggests that by analysing gender and higher education in temporal terms, or culturally loaded age and gender‐appropriate decision‐making processes in China, chrononormativity effectively undoes the graduate premium and cultural capital of those Chinese women who do not marry or reproduce. We argue, however, that Chinese women are not powerless victims of patriarchal culture. Many are choosing to study for their PhDs (42% of PhDs in Mainland China in 2020 were gained by women), and in doing so are opening up options and lifestyles which disrupt, add value to or query the traditional gendered social order.

The mediating effect of work-life balance on the relationship between work-family conflict and psychological well-being among Chinese working women

The study aims to explore whether work-life balance mediates the impact of work-family conflict and its dimensions on psychological well-being. Using a survey method, data were collected from a sample of 258 working women in Hebei province in China. The analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS and the PROCESS macro in order to test the mediation model. The findings show that work-family conflict has an indirect effect on psychological well-being through work-life balance. In the case of work-to-family conflict, a suppression effect is detected in which the mediator shows an underlying relationship between the work-to-family conflict and psychological well-being. On the other hand, family-to-work conflict is fully moderated by work-life balance. Based on these results, it can be concluded that enhancing the quality of work-life balance may help to reduce the negative impact of work-family conflict on psychological health. The findings of this study can be beneficial to organizations and policy makers to formulate policies that would enhance the mental health and work productivity of women professionals in China.

Adult supratentorial peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor with multiple metastases: a case report and literature review

BackgroundIntracranial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are characterized by poorly differentiated, highly malignant, aggressive small round tumor cells originating from the central and peripheral nervous systems.Case presentationA 25-year-old Chinese woman experienced sudden onset headache, vomiting, and severe anemia. Imaging examinations revealed a mass in the left parietal occipital lobe. Following microsurgery, histological confirmation revealed the tumor to be pPNET. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) showed multiple metastases in the lung, liver, and retroperitoneal lymph node. Unfortunately, she died of tumor cachexia 1 month after chemotherapy.ConclusionsDue to the rare presentation of pPNET, pPNET would be misdiagnosed without the histological diagnosis. Here, we aimed to provide clinicians with information about the treatment and relevant literature of pPNET.

Primary osteosarcoma of the breast during lactation: a case report and literature review

Primary osteosarcoma of the breast (POB) is an aggressive and exceedingly rare tumor, and cases with onset during lactation are extremely rare. The exact mechanism of POB development remains unclear. They may originate from totipotent mesenchymal cells in the breast stroma or may be the result of neoplastic transformation of prior breast lesions. Here, we present the case of a 40-year-old Chinese woman who was found with a palpable tumor measuring approximately 3 cm in diameter in her right breast while breastfeeding 4 months post-partum. The lactating woman was misdiagnosed with lactational mastitis during her initial visit to a community hospital. However, due to negative bacterial cultures and ineffective anti-infective treatment, later on the patient was taken to a more advanced hospital where a tissue biopsy was taken. The superior hospital considered that it might be a malignant tumor and performed local excision of the breast mass, leading to a final pathological diagnosis of POB. This is the first reported case of primary osteosarcoma during breastfeeding. We hope that this case report will improve readers’ understanding of the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of POB, especially for patients with atypical clinical symptoms and imaging findings, which should not be taken lightly.

A Girlfriend Gaze on Romantic Feelings: Coconstructing Postfeminist Selfhood on Douban

This article discusses how postfeminism plays into the exchange of romantic relationship advice between young women on the Chinese social media platform Douban. Employing Fairclough’s approach to critical discourse analysis, we elucidate how the process of giving and receiving romantic relationship advice facilitates the construction of a normative, postfeminist selfhood specific to China’s post-socialist transition. Under postfeminist aspirations for independence, self-empowerment, and personal success, this selfhood is constructed in social-mediated communication to offer an instrumentalist assessment of romantic relationships. In doing so, young Chinese women repudiate each other’s lovesickness, pathologizing romantic desires to achieve a false sense of emotional stability and mental strength. This gives rise to a girlfriend gaze on women’s emotional changes, establishing a self-/peer surveillance mechanism that regulates how members of the Douban community engage each other on the platform. While masked with a veneer of female empowerment and sisterly help, this mode of self-/peer surveillance not only perpetuates the stereotypical association of women with emotionality and irrationality but also marginalizes public discussions on structural gender inequalities, undermining collective efforts to challenge the patriarchal status quo. The research findings shed light on the functioning of neoliberal governance in contemporary China in the context of social-mediated communication.

Case report: Infectious mononucleosis with bilateral retinal haemorrhages under myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease

BackgroundBilateral optic neuritis associated with optic disc swelling is a common feature of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). However, extensive deep retinal haemorrhages have not been described in the context of MOG-associated optic neuritis. Here, we report a case of infectious mononucleosis with marked binocular peripapillary and perivascular haemorrhages as well as extensive deep retinal haemorrhages in the presence of MOGAD.Case reportA 39-year-old Chinese woman presenting with subacute binocular vision reduction with no light perception was diagnosed with MOGAD. Fundus examination revealed the presence of binocular peripapillary and perivascular haemorrhages as well as extensive deep retinal haemorrhages with severe optic disc swelling greater in the right eye than in the left and dilated and tortuous retinal venules. The patient tested positive for the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) antigen (595 U/mL) and the EBV capsid antigen (&amp;gt;750 U/mL). She had a fever and right upper quadrant abdominal pain, and a doctor determined splenomegaly 1 week before the onset of orbital pain and decreased vision acuity. Medical history and laboratory tests indicated the presence of concurrent infectious mononucleosis. Other investigational indicators of retinal haemorrhages, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, vascular disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, metabolic disease, and renal or liver dysfunction, were absent.DiscussionThis case suggests that retinal haemorrhage is a possible complication of infectious mononucleosis in the presence of MOGAD.

Stem cell transplantation extends the reproductive life span of naturally aging cynomolgus monkeys

The ovary is crucial for female reproduction and health, as it generates oocytes and secretes sex hormones. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to alleviate pathological ovarian aging. However, it is unclear whether MSCs could benefit the naturally aging ovary. In this study, we first examined the dynamics of ovarian reserve of Chinese women during perimenopause. Using a naturally aging cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) model, we found that transplanting human embryonic stem cells-derived MSC-like cells, which we called M cells, into the aging ovaries significantly decreased ovarian fibrosis and DNA damage, enhanced secretion of sex hormones and improved fertility. Encouragingly, a healthy baby monkey was born after M-cell transplantation. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and in vitro functional validation suggested that apoptosis, oxidative damage, inflammation, and fibrosis were mitigated in granulosa cells and stromal cells following M-cell transplantation. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the beneficial effects of M-cell transplantation on aging ovaries and expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian aging and stem cell-based alleviation of this process.

Efficacy of a WeChat-Based, Multidisciplinary, Full-Course Nutritional Management Program on the Nutritional Status of Patients With Ovarian Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: Randomized Controlled Trial.

As the most malignant type of cancer in the female reproductive system, ovarian cancer (OC) has become the second leading cause of death among Chinese women. Chemotherapy is the main treatment for patients with OC, and its numerous adverse effects can easily lead to malnutrition. It is difficult to centrally manage patients with OC in the intervals between chemotherapy. The use of WeChat, an effective mobile tool, in chronic disease management has been highlighted. This study aimed to implement a continuous follow-up strategy and health monitoring based on the WeChat platform for patients with OC undergoing chemotherapy to ensure that each phase of chemotherapy was delivered on schedule and to improve the survival rate of patients with OC. Participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the WeChat-based nutrition intervention group or the usual care group. A self-administered general information questionnaire was used at enrollment to obtain basic information about the patients. The Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) Scale was used to investigate the nutritional status of the patients at 3 time points (T0=before the first admission to the hospital for chemotherapy, T1=2 weeks after the first chemotherapy, and T6=2 weeks after the sixth chemotherapy). The blood indices of patients were investigated through the inhospital health care system at 3 times（T0=before the first admission to the hospital for chemotherapy, T1=2 weeks after the first chemotherapy, and T6=2 weeks after the sixth chemotherapy). Patients in the intervention group were introduced to the nutrition applet, invited to join the nutrition management group chat, and allowed to consult on nutritional issues in private chats with nutrition management team members. Linear mixed models were used to analyze changes in each nutritional indicator in the 2 groups, with their baseline measurements as covariates; with group, time, and group-time interactions considered as fixed effects; and with patients considered as random effects. A total of 96 patients with OC undergoing chemotherapy were recruited into the study. Distribution was based on a 1:1 ratio, with 48 patients each in the nutrition intervention group and the usual care group. The attrition rate after the first chemotherapy session was 18.75%. The mixed linear model revealed that the group-based effect and the group-time interaction effect on PG-SGA scores were significant (F38,38=4.763, P=.03; F37,37=6.368, P=.01), whereas the time-based effect on PG-SGA scores was not (F38,38=0.377; P=.54). The findings indicated that the group-based effect, the time-based effect, and the group-time interaction effect on nutrition-inflammation composite indices were significant (F38,38=7.653, P=.006; F38,38=13.309, P<.001; F37,37=92.304, P<.001; F37,38=110.675, P<.001; F38,38=10.379, P=.002; and F37,37=5.289, P=.02). This study provided evidence that a WeChat-based, multidisciplinary, full-course nutritional management program can significantly improve the nutritional status of patients with OC during chemotherapy.

The Public and Private Dimensions of Chinese Women's Bodies—From Reproductive Policies to Bodily

This study examines the impact of China’s evolving reproductive policies and the recently implemented "cooling-off period" for divorce, underscoring how these shifts implicitly discipline women’s reproductive and marital autonomy. Despite the transition from the "One-Child Policy" to the "Three-Child Policy" appearing to offer increased reproductive choice, women’s decisions are still heavily influenced by family expectations, including pressure to bear male children, the demands of multiple births, and constraints on birthing choices. Such interventions not only intensify psychological pressures but also contribute to social issues like postpartum depression, suicide, and marital instability. By analyzing policies and relevant data, this paper reveals the combined influence of state and family on women’s reproductive behaviors and explores approaches to balance competing interests among the state, family, and individuals. Key recommendations include strengthening legal protections, expanding social support systems, and promoting cultural change to respect women’s autonomy over their reproductive choices. The broader implications of these policy adjustments emphasize the critical role of reproductive autonomy in achieving gender equality and sustaining social development. This issue transcends national borders, positioning it within the broader global movement for gender autonomy.