Business of the V

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/

Women’s Health from a Legal Perspective

Healthcare and law may seem unrelated, but this episode of the Busine$$ of the V aims to demonstrate just how intertwined they really are. Dr. Dweck and Rachel are delighted to welcome Delphine O’Rourke, one of the few and esteemed attorneys focusing on women’s health. Delphine is extremely subspecialized in the field of law, and she is a trailblazer in the field of women’s health legislation. Her primary concern is, as she puts it, “what can I do to contribute to advancing the health and wellness of women?”

 

This discussion emphasizes the importance of a woman having both medical and legal support. It addresses modern-day issues such as electronic medical records, telehealth, and the overall physician shortage in the United States. Delphine approaches each of these topics with the same fiery passion and demonstrates the significance of putting patients first. Medicaid is a program she strongly supports, and emphasizes how important it is for all states to accept and expand this program. If you are interested in the seismic shifts in the women’s health and wellness industry, Delphine O’Rourke is the person to follow!

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

 

TOPICS COVERED:

 

• When Delphine first began practicing law, she realized that women’s health was a relatively small niche.
• Medicaid required the involvement of more lawyers, and it was no longer just a clinical issue.
• In the United States, approximately 98.6 percent of babies are born in hospitals.
• Rachel suggests that Delphine's engagement was dual in nature: she was concerned with both the mother and the baby, as well as with reducing the number of legal suits.
• Delphine: “What can I do to contribute to advancing the health and wellness of women?”
• Dweck discusses her unfavorable experience with electronic medical records. Delphine adds: “It’s a good idea in theory.”
• When it comes to the EMR, a lot of pretty amazing technology is on the horizon, according to Delphine.
• We learn that the field of digital health is teeming with innovation.
• Although telehealth has both advantages and disadvantages, it has helped many people access basic medical care.
• Contrary to popular belief, telehealth was effective for patients beyond the age of 60.
• Dweck expresses her concerns regarding the shortage of doctors and other healthcare professionals.
• Interesting fact: the emergence of home clinics is highly likely.
• Delphine’s overview of the Affordable Care Act.
• Rachel is astounded by Delphine's enthusiasm.
• What happens when public health emergency ends?
• HOT FLASH: It has been estimated that only about 71% of providers accept Medicaid. That’s compared to 85% who take Medicare and 90% that accept private insurance!

 

 

QUOTES:

 

“Talking to the lawyer in regard to maternal fetal health is never my first choice.” (Dr. Dweck)

 

“I don’t know what people’s impressions are of attorneys, but bursting with enthusiasm is not necessarily a stereotype that I would’ve had.” (Rachel)

 

“We saw a lot of activity in telemedicine through the pandemic. I think that where opportunity really lies is the bridge between the traditional health system and innovation.” (Delphine)

 

 

 

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Goodwin: goodwinlaw.com

Delphine @LinkedIn

 

 

LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

Website: www.businessofthev.com

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

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

 

 

 

 

Using TikTok to Normalize the Menopause Conversation

Who knew that TikTok could serve as a resource for millions of women trying to figure out menopause? Certainly not Tamsen Fadal, who tentatively dipped a toe into the social media platform for the first time only to be shocked by the eye-opening response. In no time her post – 34 Symptoms of Menopause – blew up and the award-winning New York news anchor had uncovered her next assignment! As we’ll learn on this episode of the Busine$$ of the V, there is a movement afoot to make the world safe for discussions about menopause. It’s here, it’s real and its impacts on workplace productivity are real. Having herself collapsed on the job with a constellation of symptoms that took her off-guard, Tamsen received a crash course on all things hormonal while investigating the episode. She has since gone on to produce a new documentary exploring women’s physical, emotional and professional passages and the science that shapes their journey. Also at work on a book about what it means to enter midlife, Tamsen is exploring the stories of women – herself and others – navigating a transition that can be both frightening and liberating, challenging and exhilarating. Enjoy this heartening conversation about the many ways in which menopause (and its workplace impacts) have emerged from the shadows, and not a moment too soon!

 

Want to hear about Tamsen’s 34 symptoms of menopause – and more? Click

here to visit her TikTok page.

 

Would you like to hear previous episode of the Busine$$ of the V? Click here!

 

TOPICS COVERED:

 

• From Broadcasting News to Broadcasting Menopausal Symptoms: How Tamsen embarked on her current work building a community of women dealing with menopause in the workplace and beyond.
• A cluster of symptoms literally knocked Tamsen off her game at work, prompting her to launch an inquiry into the source.
• She sought help from doctors including a gynecologist, neurologist, endocrinologist … before tests finally yielded the verdict: Tamsen was in menopause.
• Women commonly experience frightening symptoms that very often don’t call to mind menopause right off the bat.
• Leveraging TikTok: Tamsen blew up by simply offering straightforward information (i.e. 34 symptoms of menopause) and promoting conversation.
• Tamsen is providing a service by sharing information and research with women who otherwise might, like she was, be clueless when menopausal symptoms strike.
• The Disconnect is Real: Because symptoms can be vague and intermittent over a long period of time, it’s easy for women to overlook menopause as a potential cause.
• As the result of a 2002 study (now acknowledged to have been flawed) a huge number of women abandoned hormone replacement therapy due to perceived risks. Menopause was momentarily in the news, but otherwise still far from the front pages over the ensuing decades.
• HOT FLASH: A 2022 U.S. survey revealed that 17% of women reported leaving or considering leaving their jobs as the result of menopausal symptoms.
• Tamsen highlights her research into a variety of previously untapped topics related to menopause and media imaging, the workplace, mental and emotional impacts.
• About the perspective and purpose of Tamsen’s documentary, whose tone mixes realism with optimism based on interviews with a broad range of women and experts.
• Some 6,000 women a day enter menopause and are in search of solutions to a variety of attendant symptoms.
• Cracking a Mystery: Why is it that some women glide through menopause while a huge pool of others suffer a litany of miseries. Ways to stave of negative symptoms: Reduce alcohol, caffeine and stress.
• Workplace Challenges: While Tamsen has felt supported at her news studio, office environments generally have a long way to go in inviting women to be candid about symptoms and strategies for managing them on the job.
• Menopausal women represent a huge and valuable business asset, which is why forward-thinking corporations are looking to provide accommodations and benefits to support them.
• Tamsen provides an update on her book about women and midlife, menopause and what lies ahead based on personal anecdotes, research and solutions.
• Forthcoming Documentary: Tamsen anticipates her film will be released within the coming year with support from various sponsors in support of the message.

 

 

QUOTES:

 

“We could be doing this show 12 hours a day every day. There’s so much to talk about and so many people making contributions.” (Rachel)

 

“Menopause in the workplace has been the ultimate taboo and it really does affect people’s productivity and also it’s an economic burden that needs to be discussed.” (Dr. Dweck)

 

“I started talking on TikTok and all of a sudden one of the videos went over a million and another went to almost two million and I went, ‘Uh oh. I think there’s a conversation that needs to be happening here.’ ” (Tamsen)

 

“The first time you start to have symptoms you really have no idea what’s going on and you really get scared. Am I having a heart attack? Am I having a stroke? What’s going on here?” (Dr. Dweck)

 

“Menopause doesn’t happen from one night to the next. It’s a transition that can take eight, nine, 10 years. Symptoms kind of wax and wane.” (Dr. Dweck)

 

“It’s time to reframe menopause not as a negative but as a known entity. Lots of good things come out of the menopause state and I prefer to focus on those ... For a lot of women it’s a liberating time.” (Dr. Dweck)

 

“Most of the things that happen in women’s lives that are physiological or emotional are everything else, too. They’re social, they’re behavioral, they’re contextual.” (Rachel)

 

“A lot of women have felt very shameful about their symptoms and uncomfortable to talk about it … I feel very lucky to be able to do that.” (Tamsen)

 

“When money is involved, things change.” (Rachel)

 

 

GUEST BIO:

Tamsen Fadal is the primetime anchor of the PIX11 News at 4p, 5p, 6pm and 10pm. She is a 13-time Emmy award recipient and author of three self-help books. Tamsen is Executive Producer and host of The Broadway Show that airs nationally. As an advocate for women who are in the next chapter of life, Tamsen has published three self-help books including, The New Single: Finding, Fixing and Falling Back In Love With Yourself. It's a guide to help women emerge from a big life change with confidence, grace and a recipe for self-care. Tamsen has appeared on The Talk, Lifetime, A&E, The CBS Early Show and the Today show in support of this mission.

 

 

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Website: www.tamsenfadal.com

Tamsen @LinkedIn

Tamsen @TikTok

 

 

LINKS FOR BUSINE$$ OF THE V:

Website: www.businessofthev.com

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

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

These Disposable Undies are Changing the Conversation About Incontinence

When it comes to female incontinence, it’s a little unexpected to see a young businessman as the face of a solution. But Steven Cruz is here to tell us on this episode of Busine$$ of the V exactly how he came to develop an innovative disposable underwear that is breaking barriers and changing the conversation. As a founder of Hazel, he is helping to shake up a consumer product sector that has been stigmatized and stagnant for decades.

 

Hosts Dr. Alyssa Dweck and Rachel Braun Scherl walk their guest through how the Hazel model was developed, including the new technology built into every fiber of its flexible, breathable fabric. As easy comfortable and gentle as menstrual underwear, Hazel is nonetheless designed to absorb exponentially more liquid – which is key for millions of women sidelined by anxieties around bladder leakage. We learn what the primary causes of incontinence are and that by no means is it an affliction limited to people in nursing homes.

 

Data indicate an outsized economic burden associated with incontinence and there is also a significant cost in terms of quality of life. Bladder leakage is associated with factors like weight and genetics, as well as pelvic floor stress as the result of childbearing. With one in four women experiencing some level of discomfort – many of them young and active – Hazel’s modern, disposable solution offers game-changing freedom from worry and self-imposed social isolation. Steven is also highlighting the educational aspect of the evolving Hazel platform, which is nudging incontinence out of the shadows and into the realm of 21^st century femtech!

 

Get complete show notes, subscribe to our newsletter or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

 

Better Ovarian Cancer Diagnostics Are Being Developed by This Femtech Startup

Long known as a “silent killer,” ovarian cancer wouldn’t claim nearly as many women’s lives as it does each year if reliable early screening were available. But as we learn on this episode of the Busine$$ of the V, such diagnostics have been elusive — a challenge that Oriana Papin-Zoghbi and her co-founders at AOA have taken up with a passion that has yielded amazing progress.

 

We learn about this innovative femtech startup company’s new blood test and where it is on its journey to market (stay tuned for 2025!). Co-hosts Dr. Alyssa Dweck and Rachel Braun Scherl walk through the journey from AOA’s inception through its development and what lies ahead for a diagnostic that could boost survival rates for this deadliest of cancers into the 90th percentile.

 

Early detection of the type AOA is currently moving through clinical trials and FDA approval will be a game-changer not only for women’s health care practitioners but for workplaces that lose valuable employees, insurers who pay astronomical treatment costs and families who suffer irreplaceable loss.

 

Today women with symptoms that indicate the possibility of ovarian cancer must undergo biopsies that result in removing at least one fallopian tube and ovary when only half among them will in fact turn out to have the disease. For the other half, those who receive a very scary diagnosis, it will very often have come too late to save their lives.

 

AOA’s introduction as a screening tool (first for women with symptoms and soon thereafter for those at high risk and ultimately — fingers crossed — as a general screening tool not unlike a pap smear) is beyond transformational, as is everything that Oriana has to share about the work she and her team are doing to bring this unique women-led biotech venture to life!

 

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

This Platform Helps Women Struggling with Low Libido & Sexual Dysfunction

This episode of the Busine$$ of the V is focused on a digital health platform that is drawing raves from women wrestling with low libido and sexual dysfunction. Dr. Dweck and Rachel are hearing from Dr. Lyndsey Harper, an entrepreneur to watch in the sexual health space. She is the CEO and Founder of Rosy, a unique platform that blends education, coaching and a supportive community for women to better understand – and revel in – their sexuality.

 

As Dr. Dweck likes to say, “Sexual health is general health,” which is why the subscription-based Rosy business model’s positive outcomes resonate far beyond individuals. Being able to direct patients to Rosy is huge for busy OB-GY’s who simply don’t have time – or sufficient training – enough to provide the detailed information their patients want and deserve. The Rosy application connects women with a wealth of educational resources, trained experts and even a library of erotica with a choice among three levels of spice, as in heat!

 

Drs. Harper and Dweck recall their days in residency, where information about erectile dysfunction and other male-oriented sexual issues were part of training rotations. By contrast, as Dr. Dweck puts it, when it comes to women’s sexual health and well-being their training amounted to “a big fat zero!” Enjoy this lively conversation with Dr. Harper, an innovator to watch in the women’s health space. Rosy is a digital community unlike anything out there – and women learning from and meeting each other on the platform are thrilled!

 

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