Business of the V – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

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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.

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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.