Business of the V

Innovating Pelvic Health for Women Everywhere

In today’s episode of the Busine$$ of the V, Rachel and Dr. Dweck have an incredibly inspiring and motivating conversation about how overcoming a disease can encourage you to start a business and help other people going through the same journey. Our guest today is Rachel Bartholomew, the founder and CEO of Hyivy Health, a company that has created the first intelligent and holistic pelvic rehabilitation device for women experiencing symptoms from pelvic cancers and diseases. Pelvic health issues are extremely common in women; in fact, one third of all women worldwide are experiencing these difficulties and are not receiving adequate education and support.

Rachel Bartholomew is a strong, thoughtful, and confident woman who has survived cervical cancer and is now able to understand and help other women in need. The idea for starting this company and creating her own pelvic health product came from times when she was feeling vulnerable and trying to find a distraction from her complex and painful history with cancer. She is now a true hero in the field of pelvic health, and her business continues to innovate pelvic health solutions for all women. Stay tuned to learn more about Rachel’s journey, as well as how Hyivy Health came to be and the pelvic rehab devices they are bringing to the women’s health market.

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Meet Rachel Bartholomew, a remarkable woman whose complicated medical history inspired her to launch her own business and help other women facing similar challenges.
• Rachel tells us about her entrepreneurial background and how diverse her career has been so far.
• Nothing is more genuine and inspiring than a personal story, such as how Rachel Bartholomew’s battle with cervical cancer led to the formation of the company we’re discussing today, Hyivy Health.
• We learn that Rachel B. truly lives by the adage ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade’, as she created her product while recovering from illness.
• Dweck explains what cervical cancer is and walks us through Rachel’s treatment process.
• Our co-host Rachel Braun Scherl wants to know if the doctors had previously prepared and educated her on the procedures.
• The decision-making process in these situations is so quick, says Rachel B., and you often have to make them without all the necessary information.
• Rachel B. believes that patients should be informed of all the consequences and implications of their decisions, since doctors frequently overlook the quality of life that ensues.
• Alyssa is curious about how Hyivy assists other women who face some or all of the difficulties that Rachel had gone through.
• Our guest’s product is essentially an improved version of a vaginal dilator, and it comes with a variety of benefits such as thermal therapy and auto-dilation.
• There is a clinician software that reviews the data so that the users can get valid feedback and track their own progress.
• Rachel Braun Scherl notes that the company is still going through the FDA approval process and wonders when and how they will be available.
• We learn that the product will be simple to use and that patients will be encouraged to use it more regularly at home (which they typically do not).
• The entire process is envisioned as an in-person interaction in which people come into the office and discuss their issues.
• Rachel Braun Scherl wonders how the company raised the funds and which factors contributed the most to its overall success.
• Dweck elaborates on all possible applications for the product in question, stating that it is not just for cancer patients.
• Rachel B. explains that one of the most difficult aspects of the process is walking the investors through the numbers as many people are not aware of the prevalence of pelvic health issues.
• Being open and sharing your personal story is always the best approach, according to Rachel B., who adds that many investors are then inspired to share their own experiences with pelvic health issues in their families.
• The name of the company, Hyivy, stems from an elaborate wordplay and primarily refers to female body parts.
• HOT FLASH: According to CDC, HPV is thought to be responsible for more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers, about 70% of vaginal and vulva cancers, and more than 60% of penile cancers.

 

QUOTES:

“I took a break from entrepreneurship, said I was going to take at least a year and not start a company, and I really failed miserably at that.” (Rachel Bartholomew)

“I realized that there was this 84-year-old technology called a vaginal dilator that I had actually used 11 years prior for a completely different situation, and I realized that nothing had changed in those 11 years.” (Rachel Bartholomew)

“It’s important to recognize that your history of having cervical cancer typically hits people at a very young age, so 28 is not an unusual age.” (Dr. Dweck)

“You built a business from the hospital, which is so brave and really about turning lemons into lemonades.” (Rachel Braun Scherl)

“One of the things that you go through when you go through this is that the decision making is so quick, often without all of the information at the table or it slides through as you’re going through.” (Rachel Bartholomew)

“What I’ve created is an enhanced version of the dilator, and essentially we’re using a combination of a number of different therapeutics as well as sensors to be able to track and monitor progress.” (Rachel Bartholomew)

“One of the things that does keep people engaged in these tedious programs is to have these frequent visits; people fall off the wagon all the time because it’s a chore.” (Dr. Dweck)

“We’re not solving endometriosis, but we’re helping with the management of all the things that endometriosis patients go through, and a large piece of that is chronic pelvic pain.” (Rachel Bartholomew)

“We’re also looking at the female sexual function index, looking at adherence, looking at the use of pain medication and ER visits, and a couple more of measurements.” (Rachel Bartholomew)

“Just for edification, the female sexual function index is a validated questionnaire, so it’s valid no matter in which study you’re doing it.” (Dr. Dweck)

“We initially see this being an in-person meet-up with the doctor so that the users can actually go through that education piece which is so important.” (Rachel Bartholomew)

“We’ve been in this space for a long time, and it’s very difficult to raise money when you’re talking about unpleasant and uncomfortable topics.” (Rachel Braun Scherl)

“Dilators and your device in particular are not only for people who have had cancer. They are used for endometriosis, for other types of surgery, for the atrophic vagina, and the incontinence issues.” (Dr. Dweck)

“Part of that discussion with investors is that, unfortunately, I have to spend a lot of time walking them through the numbers and through the market.” (Rachel Bartholomew)

“What you’re saying and doing, educating the investors as well as potential users, is really so important.” (Rachel Braun Scherl)

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Website: https://hyivy.com/

Rachel @LinkedIn

 LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

Website: www.businessofthev.com

Dr. Alyssa Dweck: https://drdweck.com

Rachel Braun Scherl: www.sparksolutionsforgrowth.com/about-rachel-braun-scherl/

This Platforms Enhances your Baby Feeding Journey

One of the most difficult tasks for new mothers is undoubtedly feeding the baby. There are so many decisions to make, and you never know if you’re making the right ones. Since so many parents believe they are not receiving adequate support throughout this process, our guest for today decided it was her responsibility to facilitate this journey for them. Her name is Andrea Ippolito, and she is the founder and the CEO of SimpliFed. 

Andrea is a warm and contagiously positive person who decided to devote her career to guiding pregnant and postpartum women through the journey of feeding their newborns. She founded SimpliFed as a result of her own experience with inadequate healthcare solutions. Andrea is here today to share her story about a recent multimillion-dollar success, to provide information on breastfeeding, and to swarm us with her positivity, humility and kindness. So, take a seat and enjoy the show! 

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here. 

 

TOPICS COVERED: 

• Meet Andrea Ippolito, a true hero in the field of mothers struggling to feed their babies.
• From engineering to baby feeding: How Andrea overcame all the obstacles and founded SimpliFed.
• Most parents both breastfeed and use formula, and this is very important as most people see them as two separate things.
• How Andrea’s background in navigating bureaucracy helped in understanding the red-tape aspect of the story.
• Dr. Dweck is curious about how this platform handles the lack of hands-on approach that breastfeeding women usually require.
• Lactation consultants are pretty scarce in rural areas and women frequently don’t have access to their services.
• Rachel’s questions are spot on: how does the money flow and how is the company developing?
• Per Aspira Ad Astra: SimpliFed closed their $6 million seed round in May. 
• Andrea claims that the company’s most important mission is to democratize access to care for all pregnant and postpartum families.
• Dr. Dweck wants to know how SimpliFed supports those who choose formula over breastfeeding, and how the company navigated the recent baby formula scandal.
• Andrea’s personal experience as a mother of two, as Rachel correctly predicts, had a significant influence on her business ideas.
• SimpliFed does not discriminate against parents’ preferences and offers plans for all parents, whether they opt for breastfeeding, formula, pumps, or combo feeding.
• Astounded by SimpliFed’s success, Rachel asks: how did the company raise such a generous amount of money?
• Andrea reveals that this journey has been anything but simple or casual, and that she had to roll up her sleeves and dig in.
• Relationships are essential: It’s vital to join as many networks as possible and maintain contact with everyone you might need later in life.
• But how did she manage to catch these people’s attention? Andrea attributes this to a complex combination of many factors, including the sheer size of the women’s health market.
• Andrea ends the discussion on a fiery note: breastfeeding is not a niche; it serves all people born in the US, as well as their parents!
• HOT FLASH: According to CDC, the percentage of babies breastfeeding at six months increased from 35% in the year 2000 to 49% in the year 2010. 

QUOTES: 

“Most parents both breastfeed and use formula. 85% of women start off breastfeeding and most at some point transition to formula.” (Andrea) 

“What I learned is that so many women seem to need that hands-on approach, e.g. this is the way you place your breast, this is the type of pillow hold you should use, etc.” (Dr. Dweck) 

“The way we see ourselves is we are complimenting [the in-person care delivery] and improving access to care.” (Andrea) 

“As we are contracting with health plans, we commonly hear things like ‘There is one lactation consultant in network for 350,000 members’.” (Andrea) 

“Going live with TRICARE was particularly powerful for me just because there is no better patient population to serve than military families and veterans.” (Andrea) 

“Oftentimes we hear people describe their journey and it doesn’t seem quite as linear as yours.” (Rachel) 

“Something I’ve come across in practice and I don’t have an answer to are some of the judgements placed on people who choose not to nurse, and I don’t mean because they have a medical issue that makes it impossible.” (Dr. Dweck) 

“We do a lot of listening upfront, starting during pregnancy but also, of course, postpartum, to understand what [the parents’] goals are and what their needs are. And then, based on their goals, we work to design a plan that works for them.” (Andrea) 

“You said something early on in the conversation very casually, that you just closed $6 million in funding. I know that you don’t pull something like that out of a magic hat, and you said it very casually, but I know that it wasn’t a casual effort.” (Rachel) 

“It is so important to embed yourself in networks as much as possible and look out for people that maybe don’t have as thoughtful networks or as rich networks as you do.” (Andrea) 

“Getting those kinds of numbers and having 6 firms with term sheets are among the best stats that I’ve ever heard, and I’ve been doing this a long time.” (Rachel) 

“When you look in the market size, a lot of times people will refer to us as a niche. We are serving all people born in the US and we’re serving their parents, so stop referring to women’s health as anything as niche because we are half the population and our economic force is powerful as heck.” (Andrea) 

 

FURTHER RESOURCES: 

Website: www.simplifed.com 

Instagram: @simplifedbaby 

Andrea @LinkedIn 

 

 LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V: 

Website: www.businessofthev.com 

Dr. Alyssa Dweck: https://drdweck.com 

Rachel Braun Scherl: www.sparksolutionsforgrowth.com/about-rachel-braun-scherl/ 

This App Helps You Track Your Menopause

As menopause gains traction and public awareness grows, there is an increasing number of interesting people and companies in the field who deserve to be mentioned. One of them is Ann Garnier, the founder and CEO of Lisa Health, a company that helps women transform the menopause life stage and empowers them to thrive in it. Midday is their new an app launched in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic that helps women track their menopause and navigate all of the problems and solutions that arise during this stage of life.

Ann Garnier is a healthcare leader who has assisted in the creation and release of many innovative companies and products. She is absolutely passionate about using technology to help women thrive in midlife and celebrate the beginning of a new era. The menopause project coincided with her own menopause transition, which helped her understand the subject more deeply and personally, and this innovative tech solution was born as a result. If you want to learn more about Midday, take a seat and press play!

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Meeting Ann Garnier and learning about Lisa Health’s journey.
• Ann’s decades of experience in the health tech space, which she used to create this amazing tech-enabled solution for menopausal women.
• Midday is the app that can help when you feel like nothing works for you anymore and you want to be supported through your menopausal journey.
• Dweck notes that this app sounds far more involved than a typical telehealth appointment.
• If women want to share the data with their care provider, they can simply download the report for menopausal hormone therapy from Midday.
• Rachel is curious about what they do with the data and how they maintain the database.
• In addition to providing advice, this app offers a product marketplace where women can find any product they may require.
• The Elephant in the Room: Dr. Dweck wants to know how Lisa Health manages liability.
• Lisa Health’s perspective on future collaborations and what they look for in potential partners.
• Lisa Health has a lot of exciting plans for the future: menopause in the workplace, wearable technology for detecting and predicting symptoms, and much more.
• HOT FLASH: Based on a recent Forbes article, it seems that 73% of women don’t treat their menopause symptoms. This is not necessarily a good thing because hot flashes, night sweats and even vaginal dryness may go unattended, unmanaged, and women may be suffering.

 

QUOTES:

“Thankfully, the world is now starting to have discussions about menopause on a very regular basis.” (Rachel)

“You sound literally like the Swan Study. People put you out there to set up a platform for menopause and, as it turned out, they got a whole lot of valuable information about menopause.” (Dr. Dweck)

“We know that women have many needs during this life stage, so we wanted to support them with an end-to-end platform.” (Ann)

“We know that many women don’t have access to a healthcare clinician who’s trained in menopausal care, so at least they know that now there is someone they can go to.” (Ann)

“One of the learnings that we had early on is that women want a one stop shop. They’re super busy.” (Ann)

“I think I’ll make a bold call here that 2023 is going to be the year of menopause in the workplace.” (Ann)

“I can truly appreciate the whole workplace importance because of the thermostat wars I hear about in boardrooms. Nobody should have to grin and bear that one.” (Dr. Dweck)

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Website: midday.health

Lisa Health blog.lisahealth.com

Ann @LinkedIn

 LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

Website: www.businessofthev.com

Dr. Alyssa Dweck: https://drdweck.com

Rachel Braun Scherl: www.sparksolutionsforgrowth.com/about-rachel-braun-scherl/

Tampons and Menstrual Cups: The Best of Both Worlds

We have witnessed some of the most dramatic changes in terms of menstrual products, and just when we thought we’d seen it all, our today’s guest rocked our world and proved us wrong! If you’re not a fan of tampons and are still skeptical about menstrual cups, you’ll be thrilled to learn that there’s actually a perfect combination of these two, and it’s called Tulipon.

Our guest for today comes from the faraway land of Israel, and she has stories to tell. Hilla Shaviv is the founder and CEO of Gals Bio, a game-changing company in women’s health, specifically menstrual health and wellness. Hilla is a biomedical engineer with a background in cardiology, but her current focus is on improving women’s health by addressing their most underserved needs. Gals Bio is her second company, founded to create Tulipon, a vaginal platform that represents a completely new branch in women’s health and wellness. So, take a listen and find out how Tulipon can change your life for the better!

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Meeting Hilla Shaviv, a brave soldier in this menstrual fight.
• The origins of her project and the bumpy roads she had to travel.
• Which specific needs Tulipon is designed to address.
• Dweck explains the anatomy of menstrual cramps and why it is preferable to collect blood rather than absorb it.
• It appears that menstrual pain is caused by tissue rather than clots.
• Hilla introduces us to “the love child of a tampon and a menstrual cup” by emphasizing the benefits and drawbacks of various menstrual products.
• Tulipon is ideal for people with hectic schedules as it leaves you worry-free for up to 12 hours.
• How the risk of TSS (toxic shock syndrome) is minimized in the development of this product.
• Rachel asks the question we’ve all been waiting for: when will this product be available?
• By analyzing menstrual effluent, Gals Bio will be able to monitor and screen women’s health.
• As Hilla’s lovely metaphor goes, your vagina is a little purse you carry around with you that contains a wealth of information about your body and health.
• HOT FLASH: The global market for menstrual cups will approach $1 billion by 2026.

 

QUOTES:

“You are another soldier in this menstrual fight.” (Rachel)

“I saw a menstrual cup and I said ‘Wow, this is a great idea.’ I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t more popular.” (Hilla)

“Our statistical correlation between tissue debris and higher viscosity to pain was 99.9%.” (Hilla)

“This was the need in front of my eyes and I like to call it ‘the love child of a tampon and a menstrual cup’.” (Hilla)

“What we find here, at least in my practice, is that there’s definitely a learning curve to putting in and removing a menstrual cup.” (Dr. Dweck)

“The number of times I went off an airplane and saw a blood stain on the woman in front of me, it happened many times and we want to eliminate that.” (Hilla)

“Thankfully, toxic shock has really fallen by the wayside with the change in the absorbency of materials, at least here in the US.” (Dr. Dweck)

“There are a few reported cases for menstrual cups and TSS, and they’re all associated with washing and sterilizing the cup after use.” (Hilla)

“Is there an opportunity to use the effluent for diagnoses? You have all this genetic biological material every month that we’re disposing of, if you will.” (Rachel)

“Another example I like to give in Hebrew is that the meaning of ‘vaginal cavity’ is ‘a little purse’. So we have this little purse in our body that goes with us everywhere, and it contains a lot of data regarding our body.” (Hilla)

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Website: www.tulipon.com

Hilla @LinkedIn

 LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

Website: www.businessofthev.com

Dr. Alyssa Dweck: https://drdweck.com

Rachel Braun Scherl: www.sparksolutionsforgrowth.com/about-rachel-braun-scherl/

How Menopause Affects Women in the Workplace

Elektra Health is back on our show, they’re still smashing menopause taboos, and this time they bring good news! Menopause is gaining traction, there’s a lot going on in this space, and we’re thrilled because women truly deserve it. When it comes to menopause, Elektra Health is a must-visit platform, and they bring you everything you need to navigate this journey: education, care, community, and conversation. Elektra is all about science, evidence-based information, expert care, and endless sources of support.

Today we hear from Jannine Versi, the co-founder and COO of Elektra Health. She’s previously worked at Google, the Obama White House and Cityblock Health, to name a few, and now she’s right where she belongs: in women’s health. She’s going to share plenty of interesting statistics and data collected from the company’s latest research, so stay tuned as Dr. Dweck and Rachel navigate through Elektra’s past year and learn how menopausal women feel in the workplace and what we can do to make them feel better!

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Jannine’s path to women’s health after years in technology, public policy work, and general health.
• As Dr. Dweck points out, the healthcare experience is not very user-friendly for female patients, who are the entry point into healthcare.
• Jannine shares what Elektra’s team looks like and how they assist women in navigating the healthcare system.
• Online support via telemedicine and a full-stack digital platform.
• Learn about Elektra’s research on menopause in the workplace.
• According to statistics, one out of every five women in the US has considered leaving her job due to menopause.
• According to Dr. Dweck, during menopause women are divided into two groups: those who want to quit altogether and those who have been raised with a suck-it-up attitude.
• Mental health is a crucial component of menopause support, and 42% of women in the study reported not having enough mental health support.
• Elektra’s method of educating businesses and helping them establish employee support systems.
• How Elektra differs from other platforms and how it stands out in the marketplace.
• Jannine provides insight into the process of supplement and medication recommendation.
• As Rachel points out, providing a more comfortable environment for menopausal women would reduce overall costs while increasing productivity.
• Menopause 101 is a must-read.
• Dr. Dweck avidly reads Elektra’s newsletter and is astounded by the amount of detail and research.
• This October you can find Elektra Health at the NAMS conference.
• Jannine shares a wonderful testimonial written by a platform member.
• Elektra’s plans for the future: some exciting collaborations are in the works.
• HOT FLASH: As of 2020, most employers have wellness programs of some kind, including 53% of small firms (those with 3 to 200 employees) and 81% of large companies.

 

QUOTES:

“Most of our members at Elektra are women who are in various stages of perimenopause, or they’re often recently postmenopausal.” (Jannine)

“If you can support these women in their time of need, you can often influence decisions, loyalty, and retention across other parts of your health plan business.” (Jannine)

“At a time when so much is happening in women’s health, [we] need to be paying attention to how we care for women across the lifespan.” (Jannine)

“The people who are having problems navigating their workday due to their menopausal symptoms, they’re in my office desperate for solutions.” (Dr. Dweck)

“I think there is a fear of pathologizing menopause in addition to all the other areas where women feel they have to counter stigma and bias.” (Jannine)

“42% of women report not having enough mental health support to deal with menopause.” (Jannine)

“We bring together education, care and community in partnership with women over the course of their journey to help them understand how to navigate.” (Jannine)

“If you can provide an environment where [women] are more comfortable emotionally, physically and intellectually, think about how your search costs will be reduced.” (Rachel)

“I’m amazed at the current status of the research that you present. It’s not just a little teeny snippet that somebody may hear on the news or read in a newspaper.” (Dr. Dweck)

“Building business in this space is hard. It’s energizing. It’s exciting. It’s exhausting.” (Rachel)

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Website: www.elektrahealth.com

Jannine @LinkedIn

 LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

Website: www.businessofthev.com

Dr. Alyssa Dweck: https://drdweck.com

Rachel Braun Scherl: www.sparksolutionsforgrowth.com/about-rachel-braun-scherl/

The Importance of Puberty Education

If you’re the parent of a t(w)een or about to be one, you’re in for a treat! Puberty is something that everyone must go through, yet we continue to make such a big deal about it. Parents often don’t know how to approach this topic or lack the right vocabulary, whereas children are either not interested in the discussion or believe TikTokkers have more credibility than their folks. This is where pediatricians come into play, and today we have the honor of welcoming Dr. Lisa Klein, a practicing pediatrician and co-founder of Turning Teen.

Dr. Klein is brimming with positivity and good humor, and we absolutely enjoyed hearing all about Turning Teen, a business that helps parents and children learn about puberty together. This company is definitely going places as its mission is to help teens and tweens step into puberty without shame, stigma, or secrecy. Turning Teen offers a variety of educational programs both online and in person, and their workshops are a perfect mix of learning, bonding, and having a good time. We guarantee that as you listen to Dr. Klein's humorous and educational stories, you will wish you had someone like her in your adolescence. That being said, buckle up and enjoy the ride through the ups and downs of becoming an adult!

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

TOPICS COVERED:

• How Dr. Klein turned her passion into a thriving one-of-a-kind business.
• Dweck is astounded by the amount of trust that teenagers place in everything they see on TikTok.
• Most parents are unfamiliar with the proper terms for their own private parts, so how can they teach their children about vulvas and vaginas?
• Rachel shares some amazing facts: the more children about their anatomy, the more likely they are to report abuse and trauma.
• Puberty is inadequately covered in most schools in the US, and that really calls for a change.
• Turning Teen has a unique mission: they want to start conversations and normalize all things puberty.
• Puberty classes are NOT sex ed classes; kids need to learn why they’re going through puberty in the first place.
• As Rachel repeatedly points out, some states require sex education but don’t require it to be medically accurate.
• Dweck starts a debate about Gardasil and eating disorders: how controversial can these topics get?
• In Dr. Klein’s office it’s critical that the kid gets some alone time, and it’s concerning just how many children don’t tell their parents about their experiences.
• Menstrual underwear has been a game changer in the industry, and Dr. Klein adores it!
• Why are women still hiding their tampons in this day and age?!
• Don’t underestimate your kids; they may realize they’re entering puberty long before you do. And no, puberty does not equal menstruation!
• Should we be concerned about puberty arriving earlier, and why is this happening?
• If you want to learn more about the changes in puberty, Dr. Klein recommends reading The New Puberty.
• Times are changing, different generations are springing up, and gender identity is becoming increasingly important. You should be respectful to the child and use the right terms.
• The porn epidemic has arrived, and we have no idea how serious it is. Teenagers should be aware that pornographic content does not depict real-life intercourse.
• Things are a little rough at the moment, but we might see Turning Teen in public schools sometime in the future!
• HOT FLASH: There are five stages of puberty called Tanner stages. They include multiple physical changes including breast buds, hair growth, height increase, and menstruation.

 

QUOTES:

“I see teens in my practice, and my goodness, the source of highest authority is TikTok and that’s frightening.” (Dr. Dweck)

“There’s tons of research showing that more we understand our bodies, the more we respect our bodies.” (Dr. Klein)

“The more children understand their anatomy, the more likely they are to report instances of abuse or trauma.” (Rachel)

“I’ll talk to anybody because if I can help you, it means you’re helping your kid.” (Dr. Klein)

“There are states that mandate sex education that don’t require it to be medically accurate, and there are more states that teach abstinence than consent.” (Rachel)

“Sometimes the kids have more knowledge (on puberty), and there’s still a huge cultural issue in the families.” (Dr. Klein)

“Kids in abusive homes and living in poverty have a younger age of puberty, as well as the kids who are obese.” (Dr. Klein)

„We have to be able to talk about our body parts appropriately, not be embarrassed to say the word vagina or vulva, so that we can take ownership of our body“ (Dr. Klein)

“I would love you to be in every school, talking to every tween on the planet.” (Rachel)

“I don’t think that parents understand the porn epidemic. There are teen males that come into the office with erectile dysfunction because of the amount of porn they’re watching.” (Dr. Klein)

 

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Website: www.turningteen.com

Dr. Lisa Klein @LinkedIn

 

 LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

Website: www.businessofthev.com

Dr. Alyssa Dweck: https://drdweck.com

Rachel Braun Scherl: www.sparksolutionsforgrowth.com/about-rachel-braun-scherl/

 

 

 

This Platform Focuses on Recurrent UTIs

Did you know that urinary tract infection is the second most common infection in the United States? Does anyone ever bring that up? We say: maybe, but not nearly enough! As UTIs affect a majority of women on this continent, our clinicians might be relying on obsolete treatment options, and women may feel stigmatized by society. Business of the V speaks with two incredible women dedicated to changing the world of UTIs!

In this episode of the Busine$$ of the V, hear from Lindsey Williams and Megan Henken, the Co-Founders of MyUTI. This is the very first platform created with the goal of assisting women suffering from frequent and persistent UTIs by providing dependable testing solutions and support. Lindsey and Megan bring you the best of both worlds, as Lindsey’s focus has been in urology, while Megan has been more focused on women’s health and sexual wellness. This amazing duo will accompany Rachel and Dr. Dweck in an engaging conversation about how to prevent UTIs, how not to treat it once it has occurred, and how to make the most of MyUTI!

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

 

TOPICS COVERED:

• Dweck and Rachel introduce us to the concept of UTIs and offer some advice on how to prevent and treat this infection.
• If you think you’re developing a urinary tract infection, you should consult your gynecologist or internal medicine doctor.
• Lindsey gives us and overview of hers and Megan’s healthcare experience; Lindsey’s niche was urology, while Megan focused more on women’s health and sexual wellness.
• Dealing with Stereotypes: UTIs are not all about poor hygiene and unhealthy sexual habits.
• Dweck emphasizes the importance of making people understand that a UTI is not a shameful condition.
• Unfortunately, many women simply want to get this problem solved as quickly as possible – “Just get me the drug!”
• According to Lindsey, it is paramount to identify the root cause of the infection.
• Step by Step: the entire process of getting a treatment facilitated by MyUTI is thoroughly explained.
• Rachel brings up over the counter remedies such as Azo and cranberry juice; do these remedies actually work?
• Dweck emphasizes that MyUTI tests are more than just a simple dipstick; they are actually PCR-based!
• Lindsey and Megan have connections with urological specialists and telehealth for women, and the test results are processed by a clinical decision support software, which makes them 100% reliable!
• Megan points out that their primary concern is to put forward accurate and palatable information to the average consumer.
• MyUTI isn’t just about urinary tract infections: there is a lot more to discuss in terms of women’s health and pelvic health.
• HOT FLASH: As many as 4 in 10 women who get a UTI will get at least another one within six months.

QUOTES:

“Just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s normal.” (Megan)

“UTIs are incredibly common: more than 50% of women have had at least one and many, many more have had recurrent infections.” (Dr. Dweck)

“What we’re noticing from a consumer perspective is that convenience is trumping a lot of other aspects of healthcare.” (Lindsey)

“This is the consumer that we are supporting: the women who knows she shouldn’t decide to take the leftover antibiotics that she has under the sink.” (Megan)

“Listening from a business model perspective, it sounds to me like the lowest hanging fruit in terms of consumers, are people who have had a UTI before.” (Rachel)

“An elderly person can have the progression of a simple UTI to a very serious septic situation very quickly, and those people should be seen by their healthcare providers.” (Dr. Dweck)

“We view ourselves as facilitators for access to care, not care providers.” (Lindsey)

“I imagine for the people who find you and have these recurring infections, they must think they died and went to heaven.” (Rachel)

“Education is really core to our commitment to women, to empower them with knowledge as well as actionable insights.” (Lindsey)

“We just really want to be cognizant that we’re putting forward accurate and palatable information for the everyday consumer.” (Megan)

 

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Website: www.myuti.com

Lindsey @LinkedIn

Megan @LinkedIn

 

LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

Website: www.businessofthev.com

Dr. Alyssa Dweck: https://drdweck.com

Rachel Braun Scherl: www.sparksolutionsforgrowth.com/about-rachel-braun-scherl/

 

Plant-Based Sexual Pleasure Boosting

Let’s face it: great orgasms are something we all strive for, whether we realize it or not. Most people find sexual pleasure and orgasms elusive and unattainable, which is why we sometimes feel miserable, our relationships fall apart, and we simply end up feeling dazed and confused. This is why in today’s episode of the Busine$$ of the V we bring you Kiana Reeves, a woman whose mission is to help people understand their sexuality and achieve pleasure during sexual encounters.

Kiana is the Chief Brand Officer at Foria Wellness, a company whose plant-based products are entirely focused on sexual wellness, arousal, pelvic discomfort, and all other sex-related issues. Apart from having this vital role, Kiana is also a pelvic health therapist, a somatic sex educator, and a certified doula. So, buckle up and pay close attention as Dr. Dweck, Rachel and Kiana discuss the importance of sexual wellness, informed consent, and anal play and give you many tips that can take your sex life to the next level!

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Becoming a mother for the first time changed Kiana’s life completely, which is one of the reasons why she ended up at Foria Wellness.
• Pelvic healthcare is the reason why Kiana started her own business; she wanted to learn about different practices from around the world.
• This is how she met Mathew Gerson, the founder of Foria, who changed her life forever.
• Somatic Sexology Explained: you need to understand your genitals and how your pleasure works.
• The release of their first arousal oil and the incredible customer feedback: “I’m reaching parts of my arousal that I didn’t even know were possible!”
• The Secret Sauce: we enhance arousal, help the muscles relax, and your chances of experiencing pleasure increase dramatically.
• Dweck is concerned about the number of patient complaints regarding libido and sexual drive, as anxiety, inflammation, and discomfort inhibit women’s sexual pleasure.
• Libido is a responsive desire; we respond to environmental inputs.
• Rachel emphasized that female sexual response is a complex interplay of physiological, social, emotional, and other factors.
• Sexual arousal can manifest physically first, then mentally; it does not always have to begin in the brain!
• Although Dr. Dweck likes to say “use it or lose it”, arousal-enhancing products allow you to rekindle sexual pleasure later in life.
• How are CBD products presented to consumers and how do they react to this intriguing ingredient?
• Kiana emphasizes that Foria always makes sure to inform their customers and help them understand the efficacy and benefits of CBD products.
• For those who still do not want to use CBD products for various reasons, Foria also offers CBD-free products.
• Kiana discusses how her sex life changed after having a baby and emphasizes the importance of supporting women at this stage of life.
• Rachel brings up the taboo subject of anal pleasure: do we understand what this is and should we believe everything we read online?
• According to Dr. Dweck, consent and lubrication are the critical ingredients of a quality anal play.
• Kiana explains the various layers of anal play and claims that it requires a high level of safety and relaxation, as well as an ongoing conversation between partners to achieve mutual understanding and pleasure.
• Dweck provides troubling information: many clinicians, including gynecologists, are uncomfortable discussing this subject.
• According to Rachel, the education around sexual wellness and intimacy is inadequate and we need to be better educated on the subject.
• Kiana reveals that, since people are undereducated on this subject, they seek information from brands and companies.
• Menstruation, potential pregnancies, breastfeeding, childbirth, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause: our bodies are constantly changing and there are many critical moments when we don’t have enough support, which is something that Kiana strives to improve.
• For more great education and amazing plant-based products, you can visit the Foria Wellness website or simply look them up on Instagram.
• HOT FLASH: Studies have shown that CBD may help reduce chronic pain by affecting the endocannabinoid receptor activity of the brain, reducing inflammation, and interacting with neurotransmitters.

 

QUOTES:

“Somatic sexology work is hands-on work on the body, understanding your genitals, understanding your own sexual pleasure through a felt experience of it.” (Kiana)

“There’s a whole contingent of people, particularly women and people with vulvas who have discomfort, tensions and all sorts of different conditions as they try to access pleasure.” (Kiana)

“One of the biggest complaints I see is libido or sexual drive. Anxiety, inflammation, and discomfort are certainly part of this diminished libido.” (Dr. Dweck)

“There are two concepts: responsive desire which is this idea that we respond to inputs in our environment, and this impulsive, ‘on-demand’ desire that is shown in all of the movies.” (Kiana)

“Female sexual response is a combination of psychological, physiological, social, emotional, behavioral and contextual factors.” (Rachel)

 “We educate people around CBD and explain that it is not intoxicating. CBD has physiological effects and benefits on the body.” (Kiana)

“Sex gets very different after having a baby, whether you have a vaginal birth or a cesarean. Being able to support people in this transition to a different kind of sexual experience is so important.” (Kiana)

“A lot of women are interested in anal play because there is no chance of pregnancy during this type of sexual encounter. Others are going to say, ‘this is not my cup of tea and I never want to be involved in that’.” (Dr. Dweck)

“When you’re going from anal to vaginal play, you can have bacteria migrating that doesn’t belong in the vagina, and that can cause different types of infections. The key piece that we educate around is: how do you safely engage in anal play?” (Kiana)

“We know how subpar the education is around sexual wellness and intimacy. One of the great things about companies like yours is you’re filling in that gap that people aren’t getting.” (Rachel)

 

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Foria Wellness: www.foriawellness.com

Kiana @LinkedIn

LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

Website: www.businessofthev.com

Dr. Alyssa Dweck: https://drdweck.com

Rachel Braun Scherl: www.sparksolutionsforgrowth.com/about-rachel-braun-scherl/

This is How Investing in Women’s Health Companies Works

Marrying business and medicine is what this podcast is all about. Having said that, we bring you Dr. Alice Zheng, the woman whose entire professional life revolves around business, health, and making these two work well together. Dr. Zheng is a principal at RH Capital, a fund that invests in women’s health companies that are bringing innovation, access, and equity. This fund’s priorities are maternal health, contraception, and reproductive health, all of which are highly underestimated areas of healthcare. Being a fervent advocate for equity in women’s health, Dr. Zheng has dedicated her career to making things better for women in unfavorable conditions.

Dr. Alice Zheng has an extremely diverse background. She has extensive experience in global health, clinical medicine, management consulting, and venture capital. Alice holds an MD, MPH, and an MBA, which already makes her a very intriguing character, and she has also trained as a physician. With an all-consuming passion, Dr. Zheng will talk with Rachel and Dr. Dweck about her beginnings in the business world, her undying love for patient care, and her recent endeavors as an investor in the field of women’s health. Stay tuned and listen to this superwoman as she talks about her incredible superpowers!

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

TOPICS COVERED:

• How Alice got from medicine to investing and how adventurous and unpredictable her journey has been.
• While in business school, Dr. Zheng realized she didn’t have to be a doctor to make a difference in healthcare, which opened up new opportunities for her.
• Zheng learned a great deal in a short period while working at McKinsey, which she considers invaluable.
• Dweck agrees with Alice that OB/GYNs are always activists and they always have some kind of a cause.
• We learn what fistula is and how women who suffer from this devastating condition are treated in their community.
• Alice recommends that all OB/GYNs read Medical Bondage, a book that she found extremely eye-opening.
• Rachel is curious about how Alice’s knowledge affects her experience as a patient with the health care system.
• When deciding where to invest, Dr. Zheng always asks herself, “Is there an unmet need here?”
• There are several female-specific health issues where clinicians are simply not trained and informed enough.
• According to Dr. Zheng, many innovations are happening in other healthcare branches, but women’s health does not seem to get this kind of attention.
• Dweck emphasizes the impossibility of simply applying what we know about men’s health to issues concerning women’s health.
• We learn whether changes such as the Kaiser system or Amazon’s acquisition of One Medical have resulted in the desired outcomes.
• In the United Kingdom, a new strategy for women’s health and care delivery has been implemented, which indicates that the government is actively working to improve women’s healthcare delivery.
• According to Rachel, many entrepreneurs only focus on one aspect of women’s health because they cannot fix the entire system. Women’s health is very complex and it cannot be addressed all at once.
• RH Capital, the fund where Alice works, focuses solely on conditions that affect women only, with a particular emphasis on contraception and maternal health.
• Zheng highlights that black and brown women in America have disproportionately poor outcomes when it comes to maternal health.
• HOT FLASH: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women make 80% of healthcare decisions in the United States. This is very important because these decisions can lead women to have a very significant impact on the health of the entire family.

 

QUOTES:

“Even though I grew up in a sheltered suburb of Detroit, I had this passion for wanting to make an impact firsthand.” (Dr. Zheng)

“I have to chuckle at something you said about OB/GYNs always being activists with some sort of a cause. That’s why we’re up all night. We have to find something to do with every minute of the day.” (Dr. Dweck)

“Fistula is a very devastating event that can occur for a woman. Things may come out of the vagina that are not necessarily meant to, and this can be stifling for women in different communities.” (Dr. Dweck)

“Racist history behind modern OB/GYN is something that was never talked about when I was a medical student, and I don’t think my colleagues who are in OB/GYN today have had much exposure.” (Dr. Zheng)

“You’re taking a look from 10,000 feet and providing strategy and direction. You have a public health degree. You’re a doctor, you’re now an investor. You’ve been a patient. That’s a lot of knowledge to carry around.” (Rachel)

“There was a time when women’s health was thought of even more as a niche and was underinvested and underserved. I think the times are changing.” (Dr. Zheng)

“For example, menopause is an area where there are large patient numbers, all women go through it, and yet we don’t have great clinical understanding.” (Dr. Zheng)

“Women’s health isn’t just about female body parts. It’s about the health of women.” (Dr. Zheng)

“We cannot necessarily take the learning that we have about men’s heart attacks and just apply it to women. There is a boundless unmet need in female-specific and non-female specific issues.” (Dr. Dweck)

“If a woman has a concern, a condition, or a disease, it affects multiple systems in her body. You need to have access to care. It has to be affordable. It’s so complex that it feels almost immovable.” (Rachel)

 

FURTHER RESOURCES:

RH Capital: www.rhiaventures.org/rhcapital/

Alice @LinkedIn

LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

Website: www.businessofthev.com

Dr. Alyssa Dweck: https://drdweck.com

Rachel Braun Scherl: www.sparksolutionsforgrowth.com/about-rachel-braun-scherl/

 

Femtech Business in Japan

In this episode of the Busine$$ of the V, we travel to Japan, the epicenter of the femtech revolution. Dr. Dweck and Rachel are chatting with Dr. Amina Sugimoto who offers fascinating insight into the tectonic shifts taking place in the Asian market as women’s health and empowerment become increasingly important. Dr. Sugimoto is the CEO and co-founder of fermata, a platform that brings global femtech products directly to Asia. In other words, Dr. Sugimoto is part of a small group of female entrepreneurs who are shaking up the way we perceive sexual and reproductive wellness.

Apart from being a highly successful entrepreneur, Amina also holds a master’s degree in Global Health Policy and a doctorate in Public Health. That being said, her summary of the differences between Japanese and American healthcare systems is extremely useful and insightful. While listening to the conversation, you will learn a lot about women’s wellness products, as well as how femtech empowers women and highlights their wants and needs. If you want to be part of this exciting femcare world, feel free to join the Femtech Fes! in Japan, taking place in October 2022. Now, press play and enjoy the ride!

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Admiration at First Sight: how Rachel and Dr. Sugimoto met at a conference in Tel Aviv.
• How Amina got tired of working in the policy sector and decided to spice things up with some femtech.
• Fermata offers everything: period underwear, menstrual cups, Kegel bells – you name it!
• Dweck genuinely wonders whether hot flashes are a thing in Japan.
• If you want to sell women’s products in Japan, it’s a long way to the market! Each medical product requires a lengthy approval process.
• Myth or Fact: Asian women have less disturbing menopausal symptoms.
• Rachel asks the right question: How do they evaluate a product?
• Femtech is exploding in Japan! It will likely become Japan’s leading industry within the next five years.
• Is there a market for incontinence products in Japan? Absolutely, says Dr. Sugimoto. Obesity, which is rather uncommon in Japan, is not the only cause of incontinence.
• Sugimoto demonstrates how laws and regulations can impede femtech product development.
• Maternity and paternity leave in Japan: sounds like heaven!
• Still not convinced that Japan is light years ahead of us? Well, guess what: they have period leave!
• Women in Japan must deal with the pressure to stay at home with their children. And yet, all some of them want is to just go back to work.
• Sugimoto’s invaluable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the Asian market: check laws and regulations first.
• Another point to consider is Japan’s healthcare system.
• If you’re visiting Japan in October, do not miss Femtech Fes! It’s a festival brimming with femtech products and businesses from all around the globe. Need more information? You can contact Dr. Sugimoto for details!
• HOT FLASH: Japan appears to have one of the most generous paid leave policies in the world for both men and women. By law, Japanese men can take up to a year off from work to look after the child while still receiving a substantial portion of their pay.

QUOTES:

 

“Fermata started as a space where people can get to know more about different women’s health and wellbeing products.” (Dr. Sugimoto)

“I really perused your site, it’s so interesting.” (Dr. Dweck)

“Japanese (women) have different menopausal symptoms, rather mental than physical.” (Dr. Sugimoto)

 “The SWAN study has shown that the African American and Hispanic population tend to have the highest rates of disturbing symptoms, while the Asian population was lower on that list.” (Dr. Dweck)

 “I’m sure there are enormous differences in what explodes in popularity in the Asian market than here.” (Rachel)

“The term ‘femtech’ has become quite popular here in Japan, it’s been on every single magazine every year.” (Dr. Sugimoto)

 “There are multiple factors (in incontinence), and obesity is one of them. There is also genetics, childbirth, big babies, instrumented deliveries, etc.” (Dr. Dweck)

 “There has been a lot of discussion in the past several months about parental leave and however an organization defines reproductive care.” (Rachel)

“Japan has introduced period leave, but no one is using it. Nobody has thought about how these rules would be sustained.” (Dr. Sugimoto)

“Quite a lot of women apply to my company saying that they want to go back to work as soon as they can after delivering a baby. I guess women start to realize that it’s okay to work.” (Dr. Sugimoto)

 

FURTHER RESOURCES:

 

Website: https://hellofermata.com/en

Amina @LinkedIn

 

LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

 

Website: www.businessofthev.com

Dr. Alyssa Dweck: https://drdweck.com

Rachel Braun Scherl: www.sparksolutionsforgrowth.com/about-rachel-braun-scherl/