This week’s guest is a leader of a company that’s a huge victory for womankind. Dr. Janet Choi is the Chief Medical Officer of Progyny, who provides comprehensive fertility, family building, and women’s health benefits for a global workforce. Hear how they’ve expanded their family building benefits over the years, the types of fertility benefits they offer, how they sell these women’s health benefits to employers, the impressive feedback from physicians in their network, and how they find healthcare providers to work with. Tune in to this episode to spread the availability of life-changing fertility, family building, and women’s health benefits.

Learn more:

Dr. Janet Choi

Progyny

Progyny LinkedIn

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Women’s health is so complicated. We are frustrated we don’t see more fundamental research in women’s health. This week’s guest is changing that. Katie Schubert, President & CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), is a national thought leader dedicated to advancing women’s health and promoting research on sex differences to optimize women’s health. Hear how SWHR chooses what to research in women’s health, how they approach generational areas of interest like environmental toxins, how the organization is funded, how long it takes to change policy on women’s health, and the signs of progress. Tune in to this episode to make women’s health mainstream.

Learn more:

Katie Schubert

Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR)

Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) LinkedIn

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

If you started out creating a sexual wellness & intimacy product for men, could you do so for women too? That’s the progression of Jeff Abraham, CEO of Promescent and its parent company, Absorption Pharmaceuticals. The company uses science to solve common sexual dysfunction issues with which millions have struggled without an adequate solution - until now. Hear the early challenges in treating premature ejaculation, the discovery of potential treatments for vulvodynia, the gender imbalance in sexual health research & organizations, and how they’re addressing unmet needs in women’s sexual health. Tune in to this episode to improve sexual wellness & intimacy for both women AND men.

Learn more:

Promescent

Absorption Pharmaceuticals - Promescent LinkedIn

Jeff Abraham

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

With 6,000 women entering menopause on a daily basis, the market opportunity is huge and growing. This episode of Busine$$ of the V features Colette Courtion, whose innovative medical device company has spawned all kinds of conversation as well as welcome product offerings. Join Dr. Dweck and her co-host Rachel in exploring the evolution of Joylux, whose brand is focused on providing life-changing, scientifically-based solutions for women in mid-life.

Colette launched her entrepreneurial venture after learning post-partum about some of the long-term issues that arise as women enter their next phase of life, including incontinence, vaginal dryness and diminished sexual function. Her interest ultimately grew into vFit Gold, the first “smart” wellness device that harnesses the power of red light, gentle heat, and sonic technology to improve strength, sensation, and natural lubrication all from the comfort and privacy of your home. Joylux has also expanded to offer complementary products and a monthly subscription option that delivers curated solutions right to your door.

Driven in part by all the social and habitual shifts that have accompanied pandemic, Colette shares good news about the number of women taking self-care/self-love more seriously. Part of that trendline is a keen interest in products for women at all stages of life but most especially for those in perimenopause and menopause. Listen as these three women – all of whom have been at the forefront of advancements in women’s health – talk about the current explosion in Femtech ventures and where the market is headed in the years to come. With 1.1 billion women projected to be in menopause by 2025, there can be no doubt that solutions like those Joylux offers will be a big part of the mix. It’s no surprise that Colette was named one of Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Female Founders of 2020!

Check out the Joylux menopause quiz by clicking here.

To hear additional episodes or subscribe to the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

Sometimes employees need to educate their employers and Kate Torgersen is a case in point! In this episode of Busine$$ of the V, Dr. Dweck and Rachel unspool the story of how MilkStork, the first-ever breast milk shipping company, came into being. Formerly an executive communications manager for 18 years with Clif Bar & Co., Kate entered a whole new world when she added young kids to her work-life equation. She found that nursing infants – which is a priority for so many working moms – too often translated into all kinds of challenge, stress and even humiliation.

Kate took her experience trying to navigate TSA restrictions at the airport and the lack of adequate cold storage in hotel rooms and turned it into a business opportunity, founding MilkStork – whose mission is to get breast milk where it needs to go. The company empowers and supports moms who merely wanted to work while also remaining committed to the long-term health and well-being of their young children.

This episode of Busine$$ of the V gets real about what it’s like to pump breast milk in an airport stall and why there are measures that all employers can take to enable mothers to remain the professionals they desire to be. MilkStork provides a travel solution for working moms who return to work after maternity leave and find the commitment to breastfeeding comes with numerous daily challenges.

Kate brought her unique entrepreneurial flair to this issue and what was once her side hustle is now a thriving business featured in outlets such as the Today Show, TIME, Forbes, People, NPR and Fortune. Working and breastfeeding can co-exist. Believe it – and hear why!

To check out additional episodes or subscribe to the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

This episode of Busine$$ of the V is about having important conversations surrounding sexual wellness and reproductive health. Guest Claire McCormack, founder of Beauty Independent, shares her in-depth knowledge of entrepreneurs, their personal stories and rising trends in the market space of intimate beauty. Furthermore, she shares about today’s increase in consumer awareness and the impact that it has had on the market’s demand for clean beauty offerings. Hot topics that affect the conversations surrounding the intimate beauty industry include product sensitivities, menopause, body dysmorphia, and the need to focus on diversity in beauty. As a result, there has been great progress surrounding what is labeled as “normal” vs. what is actually normal. Claire shares examples of brands and products that have been a part of such progress in bringing “taboo” topics into the light. In closing, women have so much spending power and have a huge impact on the beauty market. Beauty Independent is committed to spotlighting entrepreneurial, founder brands with a personal story to continue giving women options that will improve their intimate health which in turn affects their general health and overall quality of life.

This episode of Busine$$ of the V is about helping women beat infertility by asking the right questions. Guest Amy Beckley, owner and CEO of Proov, introduces us to a new home ovulation test that asks not “if” but “how.” Called Proov, this ovulation test frames the infertility conversation around overall ovarian health by measuring the quality of ovulation over a mere presence of eggs. This understanding of quality ovulation can help women develop a better plan to overcome the challenge of infertility.

Studies show that 1 in 8 couples in the United States wrestle with infertility every year, and the technology around understanding infertility has done little to empower individual women. Amy developed the idea for Proov after several miscarriages and a broken dream of an easy path to motherhood. Unhappy with the answers and determined to find better solutions, she developed Proov from her background in pharmacology, which she holds a PhD in from the University of Colorado Medical Center. Armed with knowledge, she set out to provide a method for women to fill the gap between a loose understanding of ovulation and treatment methods that didn’t yield results.

If you or anyone you know has struggled to conceive, then you understand how this kind of technology can be literally live-giving. Enough women have been frustrated by too little information while waiting too long. They’ve grieved their lost babies and fought against what many thought ought to be a naturally simple process. Proov is helping give the power back to women by offering a real ovulation quality test set that they can take in the comfort of their own homes.

Proov helps women bolster their ovarian health and creates an environment for overall reproductive success. Join hosts Dr. Dweck and Rachel in finding out more about how Proov is helping women reverse their infertility for good.

To hear previous episodes or subscribe to the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

This episode of Busine$$ of the V is all about putting technology in the hands of women, starting with birth control. Guest Amanda French, co-founder and CEO of Emme, introduces us to an integrated technology-enabled solution designed to safeguard the birth control experience and reduce the rate of missed pills. With its unique multi-sensor “smart” design, Emme’s case syncs with an app to send persistent, customized reminders as well as contraceptive guidance and a comprehensive window into overall reproductive health. 

At least 80% of users struggle with missed pills each year, resulting in some 1 million unplanned pregnancies annually. Amanda developed her cutting-edge vision as a Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellow, focused on evolving better ways not only to track and remind birth control pill users but also to access current gynecological information and guidance. Named one of Fast Company Magazine’s Most Innovative Companies of 2021, Emme’s smart case and app are complemented by telemedicine and prescription delivery options.  

Anyone who has ever had a sleepless night because of a missed pill or forgetting to pick up a prescription altogether will appreciate learning more about how Emme came to be and what it’s providing growing numbers of women in terms of support. It’s not only about reminders to take the pill but also answers to critical questions: Should you double up if you miss a day? Is it necessary to make an appointment to see your gynecologist? 

With missed pills, hormone imbalances and unplanned pregnancies all too commonly part of the birth control pill experience, it’s time to step out of the 1960s. Join hosts Dr. Dweck and Rachel in finding out more about how Emme is leading the way. 

Do you get up several times a night to go to the bathroom? Do you wear pads or diapers due to bladder leaks? Attain, by InControl Medical, will stop the leaks and give you back control. Attain is the only FDA cleared at home device, for the treatment of stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence as well as fecal incontinence. Visit InControlmedical.com for more information.

To hear previous episodes or subscribe to the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com 

Feminine health issues like yeast infections and genital herpes are still considered “taboo” when it comes to media portrayal, and even sometimes in healthcare circles. On this episode of the Busine$$ of the V, hosts Rachel-Braun Scherl and Dr. Alyssa Dweck sit down with Caroline Goodner, the founder and CEO of OrganiCare.

OrganiCare is an efficacious and all-natural healthcare company that specializes in creating products to treat feminine health concerns like yeast infections and genital herpes. With products like FemiClear and Curoxen that are both natural and scientifically proven to work, Caroline has blazed a new trail when it comes to bridging the gap between all-natural and efficacious.

It’s all about “smashing taboos,” as Elektra Health CEO Alessandra Henderson puts it on this episode of the Busine$$ of the V. Together with Dr. Dweck and Rachel, she explains how the market for menopausal education and treatment is burgeoning and what it means from a start-up perspective.

Co-founded by Alessandra just two years ago, Elektra Health is a unique online platform built on three pillars: Education, Expertise and Community. Millions of women have been underserved in their often decade-long journey through menopause, so Alessandra and her team have stepped up with a telehealth alternative within the women’s health space. And companies are jumping on board. Why? Because the market is enormous.

This conversation also highlights an exciting implicit recognition that women are valued team members whose health and wellness needs matter – and that their employees know it. With a constellation of some 34 symptoms – ranging from the traditional hot flash to impacts on mental acuity and vision – menopause is a phase of life that merits serious corporate and entrepreneurial attention. Elektra has taken this as a challenge to get rid of stigma and silence by connecting women with carefully vetted providers, quality education and a powerful network – each other.

Learn how Elektra is meeting a need by meeting women where they are. Corporate America is recognizing the power of menopause – both as a market opportunity and for the freedom, wisdom and confidence associated with well-supported women in the workplace. World-class, evidence-based care, education and community are long overdue! Find out what’s on the horizon in this episode of Busine$$ of the V.

To hear previous episodes or subscribe to the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

Do you get up several times a night to go to the bathroom? Do you wear pads or diapers due to bladder leaks? Attain, by InControl Medical, will stop the leaks and give you back control. Attain is the only FDA cleared at home device, for the treatment of stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence as well as fecal incontinence. Visit InControlmedical.com for more information.

U-T-I. Mention these three letters to just about any woman and you’ll likely elicit instant recognition. In this episode of the Busine$$ of the V, Rachel and Dr. Dweck introduce a proactive advance of interest to anyone who has dealt with a urinary tract infection – which is millions of us every year. Jenna Ryan, founder of Uqora, explains how her line of health products is jumpstarting a neglected area of women’s health while becoming a gold-standard business startup at the same time.

Contracted nearly as commonly as the common cold, women are particularly prone to UTIs. A chronic sufferer herself, Jenna was inspired (along with her now-husband) to found Uqora out of a personal desire to foster better options than were available. As many as one in seven hospitalizations and health care visits are devoted to urinary tract health, so clearly the market for at-home test kits and preventative measures is there!

Jenna shares the personal experience that played a role in her decision to start Uqora in 2017 as well as exciting news about the company’s recent acquisition by Pharmavite, the parent of Nature Made, a major drug store vitamin and supplement brand.

In addition to products that promote urinary tract health, Uqora is also conducting research on new, non-antibiotic UTI treatments and providing UTI education and research updates. Maintaining optimal urinary tract health isn’t just smart medically; it’s also key to avoiding the anxiety and emotional baggage that comes with UTIs.

It’s no surprise that Uqora’s website boasts more than 11,000 positive reviews from women who have found relief. Enjoy hearing about the many ways in which Jenna and her team are enjoying a win-win, both as an innovator and advocate for women and as a tremendous entrepreneurial success story in the women’s health care space.

Do you get up several times a night to go to the bathroom? Do you wear pads or diapers due to bladder leaks? Attain, by InControl Medical, will stop the leaks and give you back control. Attain is the only FDA cleared at home device, for the treatment of stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence as well as fecal incontinence. Visit InControlmedical.com for more information.

To hear previous episodes or subscribe to the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

If only 4% of women report internal penetration as their most reliable route to climax, then why has the vibrator industry been built around products shaped like penises? The reasons are clear, as you’ll discover in this episode of the Busine$$ of the V. Women’s sexual pleasure is finally moving into the mainstream and Alex Fine, co-founder of Dame Products, explains why.

Designed by and for women, Dame Products has taken vibrators into a new realm – one that encourages open conversation about sexuality. Alex explains the process by which she and her team at Dame put together their products, paying close attention to details such as shape, colors, safe materials and the experience itself. In an industry historically dominated by men, Dame’s products are all about listening to women. The result? Women’s sex toys are now readily available on the shelves of retail outlets like Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom’s.

Some 70% of women do not orgasm from penetration, but a curtain of silence persists. Where ads for erectile dysfunction products appear regularly on primetime TV, products to support women’s sexual health are siloed or snubbed. After being denied billboard space by the NY public transportation authority, Alex has taken the issue head-on with a lawsuit she believes will expose and demonstrate this double standard once and for all.

The stigma around women’s health and sexual well-being won’t disappear until the shame is lifted. Don’t miss this lively conversation about everything from the economic impact of pandemic on the vibrator business (excellent!) to the colorful way in which a six-year-old Alex was first introduced to human sexuality (healthy and judgment-free!).

To hear previous episodes or subscribe to the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

This week’s episode features a young woman who is changing the conversation around women’s reproductive health, and more specifically the stigma associated with period products. Barely into her 20s, Nadya Okamoto shares her story both as a serial entrepreneur and as a young woman evolving. She founded and became executive director at age 16 of Period.org, a nonprofit organization with 900 chapters in all 50 states, and has gone on to expand her portfolio. She explains to the hosts how she came to her passion for destigmatizing and reimagining periods – and how she has been shaped by the journey.

While still a student at Harvard University, Nadya has created an activist community that seeks to normalize and make more inclusive the conversation around menstruation. This growing and increasingly vocal generation of activists thrives both online and in-person. Nadya inspired this movement first with Period.org and also with her book, “The Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement.” She has more recently branched out as a branding officer for a Generation Z consulting company and is currently launching a new period products lifestyle brand called August.

Part of what makes Nadya so powerful as a woman and activist is her candor. She shares with Dr. Dweck and Rachel not only how she came to her passion but also some of the trauma and abuse, mental health challenges and recovery steps that have shaped who she is and how she is moving forward. Currently work on a new memoir and cultivating August (in spite of pandemic challenges), this is a young woman people of all ages are going to be hearing from in the years ahead.   

To hear previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

Life shouldn’t stop when your period starts. That’s the motto of OhmBody and VP of Strategic Growth, Amy Gaston. OhmBody is redefining period care with wearable, hormone-free neurostimulation designed to support menstrual comfort, lighter & shorter periods, balanced moods, and overall well-being without side effects. Hear how Ohmbody provides hormone-free period relief, the device’s smart design & functionality, the impressive reduction in period blood from the clinical trials, why they’re focusing on keeping OhmBody available over-the-counter, and the future use cases for Ohmbody & period relief. Tune in to this episode to destigmatize menstrual health conversations.

Learn more:

OhmBody

OhmBody LinkedIn

Amy Gaston

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Clue

As we learn on this episode of Busine$$ of the V, the speculum represented a major advance for women’s health … back in the 1800s! So it’s not surprising that Dr. Dweck and Rachel’s guest often gets the following reaction when she introduces her new take on an old device: “Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?” or “It’s about time!”

Fahti Khosrowshahi, CEO & Founder of Ceek Women’s Health, shares the genesis of her innovative new speculum – from research and development to the patent process and field testing for both providers and patients. The feedback? Uniformly positive! Goodbye to “the metal cowboy,” as some of Alyssa’s patients call the metal speculum that has been synonymous with pelvic exams for generations and generations. The Nella NuSpec Vaginal Speculum has arrived!

As narrow as a tampon and made of a gentle, quiet polymer material, this new device improves visibility for practitioners and reduces the repetitive strain injuries many sustain after years of wrestling speculums that are either loud, hard to grip, lacking in visibility or all of the above. Just as importantly, the NuSpec offers women of all ages a completely modern, smooth, temperature-neutral pelvic exam experience.

Long-term Fahti believes the NuSpec’s comfortable design will be transformational for women who are resistant to the cold, metal speculum that – until now – was their only option. Thanks to NuSpec, women will be less likely to dread pelvic exams or avoid important annual and follow-up appointments. On the user side, providers will find the new device, with its comfortable grip and unique lateral sidewall feature, a game-changing substitute for the archaic instrument that was until now the industry standard.

It’s no surprise that Time Magazine named the Nella NuSpec one of 2020’s best inventions. Enjoy this conversation about how Fahti founded Ceek Women’s Health and took the NuSpec from start-up concept to the innovatively designed, patented device long overdue and most welcome in OB-GYN exam rooms of the 21st Century.  

To hear previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

In this episode, Dr. Dweck and Rachel interview Emily Sauer, founder of OhNut, female entrepreneur, maker, IRL community leader, and sexual health advocate with a passion to empower women who are co-creating a deeper understanding of how sexual identity informs our individual and collective lives.

Emily shares how after years of painful intercourse, also known as dyspareunia, why and how she invented the OhNut, wearable rings that feel like skin to control the depth of penetration during intercourse. The OhNut is backed by renowned surgeons, pelvic floor physical therapists, sexual health educators and guided by a medical and scientific advisory board.

If you’ve missed previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast, they are available at: https://businessofthev.com

Do opposites attract? According to Brittany Barreto, a FemTech entrepreneur who launched her career with a DNA-based dating app, the answer is: Yes! In this episode of the Business of the V, Dr. Alyssa Dweck and Rachel Braun Scherl talk with this upstart geneticist about her burgeoning podcast, FemTech Focus, as well as the many ventures she’s helping to cultivate in the FemTech space. With more than 20,000 listeners in 88 countries during its inaugural year (during Covid19 lockdown), Brittany’s podcast platform has made an immediate impact on FemTech as both a business opportunity and critical key to understanding women’s health.

Brittany shares with Alyssa and Rachel her journey from PhD candidate in genetics to her dating app’s meteoric success and (due to a sudden, unavoidable development) heartbreaking failure. Falling back on resilience and creativity, Brittany has reinvented herself and evolved an entirely new career direction. Her podcast, FemTech Focus, provides first-hand insights and incisive advice aimed at thousands of entrepreneurial women whose services and inventions are challenging and changing the FemTech landscape. This lively conversation explores emerging technologies, rapid growth in investor opportunities and the importance of incorporating medical doctors and other hands-on experts in the innovation process – from research and design to marketing and implementation.

To hear previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

Technology invades all the rooms in our house, so why don’t we talk about its impact in the bedroom? Dr. Alyssa Dweck and Rachel talk taboo topics with Bryony Cole, a leading expert in sex tech.  Her global sex tech hackathon events and Future of Sex podcast are considered the pinnacle of industry insights and innovation. Bryony is a sought-after consultant who partners with organizations across the world forecasting trends in the sextech industry for governments, tech titans and entertainment companies and walks our hosts through her trailblazing journey from the very beginning.

The hosts and their guest dive right into stigma and how communication, education and social media are the driving force behind increasing popularity in the industry. Bryony speaks to sex and the pandemic and how the absence of touch has changed our relationships both in the short term and long term as we are able to return to proximity with others.  Alyssa and Rachel spark an interesting discussion about Bryony’s legacy of inspiring others and bringing other, mainly female, entrepreneurs alongside finding success in a budding industry.

The episode wraps with Bryony sharing insight from her years of experience and insight into what’s to come in the future of sex tech with an obligatory unmissable story of a robot encounter.

If you’ve missed previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast, they are available at: https://businessofthev.com

For anyone who still thinks menopause is a forbidden topic, today’s episode breaks right through that barrier. Dr. Alyssa Dweck and Rachel talking facts and welcoming insights from Mike Satow, president and CEO of Bonafide, a data-driven supplement company “on a mission to provide naturally effective solutions to perfectly natural symptoms.” Focused on women’s sexual and reproductive health, the company had a banner year in 2020 with more good things on tap for the year ahead. How Mike went from practicing law to becoming a serial entrepreneur in the health and wellness space makes for an interesting tale.

And, of course, the hosts and their guest touch on all the menopause-related topics that impact such a huge and growing number of women throughout the United States: from the hormonal fluctuations that “affect every cell in our body,” as Alyssa says, to the very real fears and concerns many women harbor about the use of hormone replacement therapy. Mike explains how Bonafide has developed its unique formulations as well as the data the company provides the doctors with whom they partner to reach sufferers seeking relief. His business model is working, with more than 8,000 physicians actively recommending Bonafide products to patients and more than $30 million in sales in 2020.

The episode wraps with a Hot Flash you won’t want to miss related to the huge incidence of sexual dysfunction among women in this country before, and especially after, the onset of menopause.

If you’ve missed previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast, they are available at: https://businessofthev.com

In this episode, Dr. Alyssa Dweck and Rachel have a raw and real conversation with Cindy Gallop, founder of MakeLoveNotPorn (MLNP), a social sextech platform designed to promote good sexual behavior and good sexual values. MLNP was launched at TED 2009. Cindy shares how MakeLoveNotPorn birthed from the desire to date younger men and her Ted Talk.

Cindy shares the impact she is seeing from building this online community and platform to educate, share and celebrate real life sex. She is also honest about the challenges of trying to normalize sex in the real world, particularly when it comes to advertising in order to grow. Ultimately, she emphasizes the safe place MLNP is to learn and for reassurance of real world everything.

If you’ve missed previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast, they are available at: https://businessofthev.com

In Episode 3, Dr. Alyssa Dweck and Rachel interview Sophia Yen, CEO and co-founder of Pandia Health, a health platform with the mission is to make women’s lives easier by bringing birth control to women wherever they have the internet and a mailbox. Dr. Yen is a reproductive health specialist who continually researches the data behind birth control and has a belief in using science to customize birth control for each woman.

Dr. Yen shares the business model of Pandia Health and explains how their passion is to provide affordable and convenient birth control services to their patients. Matter of fact, the telehealth platform is only $20 per year plus the minimal cost of birth control. In addition, Pandia is a wealth of reproductive health information thanks to its quality content and informative, advertising free videos. Furthermore, Dr. Yen expands on the importance of contraception and hormones based on data and science that she has extensively studied.

Learn more at https://www.pandiahealth.com/. 

For more episodes of Business of the V, visit https://businessofthev.com

This week’s episode features the introduction of a brand new product in a space that is overdue for some innovation: Menstruation products. It’s one of the most innovative developments in women’s period health care that our hosts, Dr. Alyssa Dweck and Rachel, have seen in some time. They welcome Thang Vo-Ta, a fascinating entrepreneur driven by the desire to deliver to women a better, more reliable and environmentally sustainable option for managing monthly menstruation.

After years of investment in development, design and testing that resulted very recently in coveted FDA approval, Thang’s company Callaly is bringing to market the Tampliner, a quantum step forward for women who want the convenience and comfort of a tampon without the cumbersome (and un-eco-friendly) applicator associated with most of the options available until now. Representing the first upgrade to the traditional tampon in 90 years and, the Tampliners “virtual applicator” and organic cotton mini-liner are game-changers. No doubt that’s why Time Magazine recently included the product among its “Best Inventions of 2020.”

Enjoy a fascinating chat about an exciting new product in one of women’s health care’s most basic and globally marketable spaces.

Visit https://businessofthev.com for more episodes and show notes.

In this episode, Dr. Alyssa Dweck and Rachel have a conversation with special guest Jill Angelo, founder of Gennev, the first ever online clinic for women in menopause. Together, they talk about menopause, what women are seeking for their own menopausal health and the impact that menopause has on the economy as well as the physical self.

First, Jill candidly shares how she began her career in tech and shifted "from tech to lube." Next, she explains how she laid the groundwork for Gennev by speaking with 1500 women to conduct research surrounding their menopause education, health and mindset. Also, she explains more about the data gathered, what the Gennev telehealth platform offers and other details including payment, insurance, FSA and HSAs. Furthermore, Jill shares about Gennev's physicians and the vetting process.

In closing, Jill shares where you can find Gennev and what is in the pipeline moving forward. She also encourages any women listeners to take the menopause assessment and see where you are on your menopause journey as a whole woman.

Read the detailed show notes and more episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast at: https://businessofthev.com

Hello friends and colleagues, welcome to the Business of the V!

I’m Dr. Alyssa Dweck. I’m a gynecologist, surgeon and author. I speak vagina. I think the v is super cool to know about but not always so hip to talk about.

Have you ever wondered what’s normal down there, or worse, something scary?

What is that itch or worse that bump? What keeps you up at night when it comes to your v health? We will explore what’s on other women’s minds when it comes to periods, hormones, breasts, butts and sex.

I am Rachel Braun Scherl. I am a marketing strategist, business builder and vagipreneur,  a person in the business of women’s sexual and reproductive health.

It’s complicated! Big challenges mean big business.   We will introduce you to some of the most fascinating creators, inventors, thought leaders, health care professions and investors in the space.   These are the people that make things happen.  

If you are a woman, know a woman, have a business, like business or care about your v health and wellness,  fasten your seat belts and listen.   You heard it here first!

Ever laughed, sneezed, or been playing sports and accidentally peed yourself a little? You’re not alone. Is there anything you can do about those bladder leaks & incontinence? That’s the premise behind Uresta, led by Co-Founder & CEO Lauren Barker. Hear the history of pessaries & what went into the development of Uresta, the impressive stats on bladder leak reduction from their clinical trials, how they keep the Uresta device comfortable & effective for your bladder and vagina, how they’re breaking the taboo around bladder leaks & bladder support, and the complementary incontinence products in the works from Uresta. Tune in to this episode to finally stop bladder leaks.

Learn more:

Uresta

Uresta LinkedIn

Lauren Barker

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

National Association For Continence (NAFC)

Millions of women struggle with post-sex infections, odor, and dripping because of vaginal pH imbalance. What if that could all change in 60 seconds with a vaginal health product? That’s the idea behind LiviWell, led by Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Ingber, and CEO, Dawn Halkuff. Hear the hot tub conversation that sparked the concept for LiviWell and what causes bacterial vaginosis (BV). Understand how the product works like a tampon to absorb post-sex semen, what the company is doing to educate both consumers & healthcare providers, as well as what the company’s clinical trial data says about LiviWell’s impact on sexual experiences & anxiety. Tune in to this episode to improve your post-sex vaginal health.

Learn more:

LiviWell

LiviWell LinkedIn

Dr. Michael Ingber

Dawn Halkuff

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

World Health Organization (WHO)

When physicians thrive, patients do too. That’s the idea that drives Anna Lohrfink & Nadia Van der Heyden of Monarch. Monarch is redefining the future of women’s healthcare by empowering physicians to build thriving membership-based practices that deliver exceptional, personalized care. Hear the systemic issues in the women’s healthcare industry and learn about their business model focused on value-based care as well as the barriers that physicians often face in women’s healthcare. Monarch has a unique business model, which they plan to expand nationwide. Tune in to this episode to create a new standard for women’s healthcare!

Learn more:

Monarch

Monarch LinkedIn

Anna Lohrfink

Nadia Van der Heyden

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Monarch

Imagine a world where everyone had access to the healthcare solutions they need, the support they want, and an experience that leaves them feeling truly taken care of. That’s what this week’s guest, Maddie Livingston, is building as the Head of Business Development & Commercial Strategy for Thirty Madison. The company is a family of specialized healthcare brands creating exceptional clinical outcomes for a range of health concerns and patient needs, including brands such as Nurx, Cove, and Keeps. Learn about Thirty Madison’s unique care delivery model, how they grew to their impressive scale, their virtual migraine clinic, the structure of their care team, and why there are growing access challenges for weight management & GLP-1 medications. Tune in to this episode to support a lifetime of exceptional health outcomes!

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Maddie Livingston

Thirty Madison

Thirty Madison LinkedIn

Nurx

Cove

Keeps

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

AMA aka American Medical Association

The way the world approaches period care needs an overhaul. Each traditional pad takes roughly 800 years to break down, a startling fact that motivated this week’s guest, Katie Diasti, into action. She’s the Founder & CEO of Viv, an earth-friendly period care brand. Hear Katie’s perspective on the market gap for eco-friendly, aesthetically pleasing period care products, plus the environmental and health issues with conventional period products. She tackles the rising popularity of menstrual cups, the challenges of fundraising, and how she’s managing increasing production costs. Tune in to this episode to learn more about period care options!

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Katie Diasti

Viv

Viv LinkedIn

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

UN Women

Did you know Uro-Gyn issues can be improved with targeted vibrations? That’s the genius of this week’s guest, Soum Rakshit. He’s the Co-Founder & CEO of MV.Health & MysteryVibe. Hear how to develop products in the healthcare space, the science behind targeted vibration, the dynamic designs of the products, their surprising customers, and how to find a unique positioning for your product. Tune in to this episode to unleash the power of targeted vibration!

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Soum Rakshit

MV.Health

MysteryVibe

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Healthline

Your gut health impacts everything. You need to understand insights to take good care of it. This week’s guest is Dr. Aisha Pandor, Co-Founder & CEO of Pandora Health, a health tech company leveraging AI and gut microbiome intelligence to help women manage chronic health conditions. Hear how the gut-driven, AI-powered platform works, a sneak peek at the user journey, the role of AI in personalizing wellness plans, how they’re keeping a patient-centric approach, as well as her advice for fellow aspiring entrepreneurs. Tune in to this episode to improve gut health for women!

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Dr. Aisha Pandor

Pandora Health

Pandora Health LinkedIn

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

There’s a notable gender gap with glaring disparity in reimbursement when it comes to urologic care for women and gynecologic care. Why are urologists being reimbursed at higher rates than urogynecologists for the same procedures? This week’s guest has observed and analyzed such disparities throughout her medical career - and now has the research to back it up. Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald is a UroGynecologist and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeon at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Hear how RVUs (Relative Value Units) work, the significant reimbursement gaps that exist, and the prevalence of burnout in OB/GYN professionals.  Contemplate the calls to action proposed by Dr. Fitzgerald. Dive into some clinical juggernauts in the space including incontinence and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Tune in to this episode to squash the reimbursement gap!

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Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald at UPMC

Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald LinkedIn

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Journal of Women’s Health

There have been plenty of advancements in women’s healthcare & sex ed over the years. The reality is, we still have such a looooooooooooong way to go. That’s the focus of Dr. Maria Sophoclese, a Gynecologist, Women’s Health Advocate, Menopause Problem Solver, Documentarian, and Author of “The Bedroom Gap: Rewrite the Rules and Roles of Sex in Midlife.” Hear what she learned speaking with patients every day, how we can modernize both women’s healthcare & sex ed, the staggering stats about sex ed in the US today, why the porn industry is still so incredibly biased towards men, and what healthcare workers can do to improve the lives of women. Tune in to this episode to advance healthcare for women & sex ed for all.

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Dr. Maria Sophocles

Dr. Maria Sophocles LinkedIn

The Bedroom Gap: Rewrite the Rules and Roles of Sex in Midlife

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Women’s Healthcare of Princeton

The fertility journey is challenging for many. This week’s guest is reframing the whole process. Jessica Bell van der Wal is the Co-Founder & CEO of Frame, the all-in-one fertility support system providing virtual care, fertility coaching, and concierge support. Hear the moment she realized the need for better care during the family planning process, how her collaborative care platform works, the types of providers she partners with, and how her company is addressing provider burnout. And, she divides roles & responsibilities with her Co-Founder husband to boot. Tune in to this episode to support patients at every stage of the family building journey!

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Jessica Bell van der Wal

Frame

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Getting tested for STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) can be scary. This week’s guest is here to change that. Siew-Veena Sahi is the Co-Founder & CEO of Testmate Health, an early stage healthcare startup focused on low cost, high-quality, and accurate at-home self-testing. Hear the challenges with modern STI testing, how she decided on urine test kits, the value of at-home testing, how the development stage is going, and what’s next for Testmate Health. Tune in to this episode to make STI testing quick & accurate!

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Siew-Veena Sahi

Testmate Health

Testmate Health LinkedIn

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

JAMA Network

There hasn’t been much data collected on the vaginal microbiome - until now. Priyanka Jain is the Co-Founder & CEO of Evvy, which she started to unlock precision medicine for women by discovering and leveraging overlooked female biomarkers, starting with the vaginal microbiome. Hear the importance of the vaginal microbiome, how Evvy’s vaginal microbiome test works, their business model & revenue streams, how Evvy is bridging the gender gap in medical research & data, and her aspirations to become the leading women’s health database. Tune in to this episode to unlock precision medicine for women!

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Priyanka Jain

Evvy

Evvy LinkedIn

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

International Microbiota Observatory

The US has the highest rate of unintended pregnancies of all industrialized nations. Nearly half of all pregnancies in the US are unintended. That’s why Lisa Beattie Frelinghuysen co-founded ClutchKit, giving young adults the tools to prevent unintended pregnancies. Every ClutchKit includes condoms, a morning after pill, and pregnancy tests. Hear what went into developing ClutchKit, common misconceptions about contraception & the morning after pill, who can benefit most from ClutchKit, how the cost structure works for ClutchKit, and what the future of ClutchKit will look like. Tune in to this episode to prevent unintended pregnancies!

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Lisa Beattie Frelinghuysen

ClutchKit

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

It should be easier to build a career in women’s health. That’s the mission of Jodi Neuhauser, Founder & CEO of In Women’s Health and serial entrepreneur in the women’s health space. In Women’s Health is the largest education platform and community for women's health careers. Hear Jodi’s fertility journey, how she started Ovaterra, how to transition into a women’s health career, the potential for AI (Artificial Intelligence) to help with women’s health, and her motivation in starting the Women’s Health PAC. Tune in to this episode to support professionals transitioning into women’s health!

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Jodi Neuhauser

Ovaterra

In Women’s Health

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

NIH (News in Health)

Looking for a place where nothing is TMI? You’re in good hands. That’s the mantra of Winx Health, co-founded by Jamie Norwood & Cynthia Plotch. Winx Health is your sexual & vaginal health hub for easy-to-use tests, treatments, and more. Hear the pivotal moments that inspired the company and how the team evolved to add more offerings, including its most innovative products that test for UTI, pregnancy, and more. Jamie & Cynthia share how they’ve responded to the massive legal & policy changes in women’s health and the collaborative nature of women’s health companies. Tune in to this episode to move women’s health forward!

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Jamie Norwood

Cynthia Plotch

Winx Health

Winx Health LinkedIn

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Urogynecology

Knowledge is power - and that knowledge applies to the ovaries. The more we know about our ovaries, the more prepared we are to ensure they are healthy, plus treat anything that needs attention. Piraye Beim is the Founder & CEO of Celmatix, a preclinical-stage women’s health biotech focused uniquely on ovarian biology. Hear how we can use science to improve healthcare, how our ovaries are central command, how we can make sure we have optimally-functioning ovaries, what will happen with the data Celmatix collects, and their go-to-market strategy. Tune in to this episode to support ovarian health!

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Piraye Beim

Celmatix

Celmatix LinkedIn

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

MedicalNewsToday

Finally - clothing made specifically for hot flashes and night sweats. Tehani Renganathan is the Chief of Strategy, Marketing and New Ventures for femography and its B2C brand, Become. Hear how Become is making a name for itself when it comes to menopause clothing, how the tech-enabled clothing works, what materials are included, how customers have reacted to the fabric, and how the brand is addressing the different stages of a hot flash. Tune in to this episode to make hot flashes and night sweats cooler!

Learn more:

Tehani Renganathan

femography

Become

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Sleep Foundation

The tampon hasn’t been redesigned with engineering in 80 years. Until now. Greta Meyer and Amanda Calabrese, the Co-Founders of Sequel, have invented The Spiral Tampon - with game-day performance for athletes in mind. Hear what inspired them to create a new tampon, the benefits of the spiral design, how it’s made, their partnership with the 2024 Paris Olympics, and how they’ve navigated the FDA. Tune in to this episode to experience the next generation of tampons!

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Greta Meyer 

Amanda Calabrese

Sequel

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

The Conversation

We are long overdue for a modern tenaculum that’s gentler on women - no more uncomfortable, painful IUD insertions. Ikram Guerd, VP of Global Marketing & Managing Director US at Aspivix, is on a mission to reimagine gynecology with “gentle” in mind, resulting in less pain and bleeding - as well as increased comfort in transcervical procedures. Learn the ins and outs of the Carevix device and greater patient satisfaction. Oh, and it is more cost-effective, too. Tune in to this episode to learn how Carevix is literally changing the game (and the pain), replacing the tenaculum with something far better!

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Ikram Guerd

Aspivix

Aspivix LinkedIn

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Aspivix

What if you could rapidly relieve the symptoms of common vaginal infections like Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) & Candidiasis (Thrush) in the comfort of your own home? That is becoming a reality thanks to this week’s guests, Ella Harris, Founder & CEO, and Dr. Sonal Pendharkar Kulkarni, Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer of UVISA. Hear how UV light can destroy only the bad bacteria in vaginal infections and support the regrowth of good bacteria. You will learn how the UVISA device works, the company’s focus on user experience & comfort when it comes to vaginal health, and what’s next for UVISA as a women’s healthcare company. Tune in to this episode to have an up close look at a new era of vaginal infection care.

Learn more:

UVISA

UVISA LinkedIn

Ella Harris

Dr. Sonal Pendharkar Kulkarni

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

UVISA

It’s time to bridge the gender gap in healthcare product innovation. Valentina Milanova, Founder, CEO, and CPO of Daye, started the company to raise the standards in gynecological health by creating innovative products and services that fit conveniently into our lives. Hear how her own menstrual history inspired her passion for the industry, how to take control over your health history, functionality of CBD-infused tampons, the vaginal microbiome, and Daye’s approach to sustainability. Tune in to this episode to improve gynecological health!

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Valentina Milanova

Daye

Wisp

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Stanford Magazine

Women deserve better lives through better health. Marissa Fayer, CEO of DeepLook Medical and HERhealthEQ, has made it her mission to reduce the equity gap in access to healthcare for women around the world. In fact, she believes Wealth is Health. Hear her role in developing cutting-edge healthcare technologies, the latest data on dense breasts, how to find strategic partners with your women’s healthcare business, how to handle lengthy clinical trials, and behind-the-scenes of running a nonprofit in the healthcare space. Tune in to this episode to improve health equity for women!

Learn more:

CDC

Marissa Fayer LinkedIn

Marissa Fayer Website

DeepLook Medical

HERhealthEQ

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

BreastCancer.org

American Cancer Society

Looking for patient-centered care in your perimenopause journey? Joanna Strober, Founder and CEO of Midi Health, has crafted a platform specifically for you. Midi Health is a leading virtual care platform focused on female health throughout the menopause transition. Hear what made Joanna start Midi Health, how she was able to differentiate the platform, who actually provides the patient care, how she got her first set of patients, and how to navigate employers and insurance companies. Tune in to this episode to step up healthcare for midlife women!

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Joanna Strober

Midi Health

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

CB Insights

What would the opposite of a condom be? It’s the LUWI FINER LINER. Lisa Kinsella is the Founder and CEO of LUWI. The company exists to flip the status quo in women’s health by developing a new and improved solution for women that feels better while providing reliable, safe protection. Hear the “aha” moments that inspired LUWI, her distribution plan, how LUWI works, how the company is educating young women through their marketing, and what the testing and approval process was like. Tune in to this episode to find out how to launch a disruptive women’s health product!

LUWI is currently raising money on StartEngine - startengine.com/LUWI – so every person can invest in health equity and pleasure!

Learn more:

Lisa Kinsella

LUWI

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

CDC

There’s so much more we can do to transform women’s health. Carolee Lee is the Founder and CEO of WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters). They’re dedicated to funding women’s health research to transform women’s lives. Hear what’s led to WHAM’s growth, how to properly collect data on women’s health, why communication is so key, the impact of menopause in the workplace, and how she measures success. Tune in to this episode to keep moving women’s health research and investment forward!

Learn more:

Carolee Lee

WHAM

The WHAM Report

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

WHAM

Proper R&D can make or break women’s health products. Heidi Beatty is the CEO of Crown Abbey, R&D experts who help their clients develop and launch new products, plus handle all aspects of Project Management. Hear why she’s the reason Alyssa and Rachel know each other, how to balance consumer needs vs. backlash from practitioners, how she tests women’s health products, why communication about ingredients and chemicals is so important, and how women’s healthcare compares in the US vs. UK. Tune in to this episode to help support the next great women’s health product!

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Heidi Beatty

Crown Abbey

Motivations for Intravaginal Product Use among a Cohort of Women in Los Angeles

Vaginal health and hygiene practices and product use in Canada: a national cross-sectional survey

What are the health effects of PFAS?

Today’s Hot Flash and other stats from:

Global Market Insights