Caring for your breast health with Complex Creatures - Ep 188

In this episode, we talk to Nicole Sandford, CEO of Aspira Women’s Health, a publicly traded women’s health diagnostics company whose suite of non-invasive ovarian cancer blood tests are helping ensure women receive the best care. Nicole has an extensive background as a highly skilled operator and took the helm at Aspira in early 2022.

In their conversation, Nicole and Brittany discuss the challenges unique to ovarian cancer detection and treatment, why Aspira’s products are so revolutionary, and how the company is going after endometriosis next.

Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Guest bio

Nicole Sandford was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Aspira Women's Health in February 2022 after serving as a member of the company's Board since February 2021.

Nicole brings more than three decades of executive and leadership experience to the role. Nicole has extensive experience as an innovator and business leader as well as a sought-after advisor to CEOs and Boards on strategy, operations, human capital, governance, and risk. At global consultancy Deloitte, Nicole was the executive sponsor of multiple new businesses in the life sciences/healthcare, financial services, and consumer industries where she consistently oversaw rapid, sustainable growth.

Prior to joining Aspira, Nicole was the Global Board Services Leader for boutique human capital advisory and search firm, Ellig Group, where she advised multiple Fortune 500 companies. Prior to that, she spent 27+ years with global consultancy Deloitte, launching and leading all aspects of operations for multiple businesses. She has extensive experience with complex transactions including mergers and acquisitions, financing, and both private and public securities offerings.

Organization bio

Aspira Women’s Health Inc. is transforming women’s gynecological health with the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative testing options for women of all races and ethnicities, starting with ovarian cancer. 

Their ovarian cancer risk assessment portfolio is marketed to healthcare providers as OvaSuite℠, which includes OvaWatch℠, a non-invasive, blood-based test intended for use in the initial clinical assessment of ovarian cancer risk in women with benign or indeterminate adnexal masses for which surgical intervention may be either premature or unnecessary. With a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99%, OvaWatch allows physicians to confidently rule out ovarian cancer malignancy and choose the appropriate clinical management for the right patient at the right time. Ova1Plus® combines our FDA-cleared products, Ova1® and Overa®, to detect risk of ovarian malignancy in women with adnexal masses planned for surgery.

EndoCheck℠, Aspira’s first-of-its-kind non-invasive diagnostic test for endometriosis, is currently in development.

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Time Stamps

[3:25] Nicole’s background

[10:13] Being a publicly traded women’s health company

[13:08] Educating the public (and public markets!) about the importance of ovaries for health

[14:48] Aspira has the only complete suite of ovarian cancer blood tests on the market 

[15:13] Why Ovarian cancer diagnostics and treatment are differently challenging than other cancers

[18:11] Why doesn’t everyone just have their ovaries removed when they discover a mass?

[19:37] Ovarian cysts vs masses

[27:23] Risk factors for and symptoms of ovarian cancer

[28:25] FDA clearance journey for novel diagnostic like Aspira’s

[32:43] Other tests in development at Aspira 

[36:22] Pain is not required for endometriosis 

[39:02] State of women’s health care today 

[42:40] Economic burden of lack of access to diagnostics and treatments for these women’s health conditions

[43:43] Why Aspira is poised for success. What early-stage women’s health startups can learn from public companies like Aspira

Episode Contributors

Nicole Sandford

LinkedIn: @Nicole Sandford

Aspira Women’s Health

Website: https://aspirawh.com/

LinkedIn: @Aspira Women’s Health

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

In this episode, we talk to Janna Meyrowitz Turner, co-founder of VCs for Repro. Dedicated to championing reproductive rights within the venture capital landscape, VCs for Repro strives to dismantle barriers and biases surrounding reproductive health, justice, and equity.

Their coalition member firms are reshaping the conversation around reproductive rights, ensuring that entrepreneurs and innovators in the space have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. 

Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Guest bio

Janna Meyrowitz Turner is a strategist focused on systems change, leadership development, and communication in all its forms. 

She started her first company, Style House, at the age of 23 in 2006 which became an award-winning strategic communications and business development consultancy known for taking a holistic, progressive, and multicultural lens to brand building, strategic partnerships, platform development, marketing, and communications. With clients ranging from Estee Lauder to the WNBA, Janna became a trusted advisor to senior leadership teams on a broad range of issues - from internal and external affairs, preparation for board meetings, company retreats, and other pivotal public moments. 

Today she runs Synastry Capital with three main areas of focus – investing in and building startups, conducting Personal Brand Alignment with executives and entrepreneurs, high impact leaders, and other people who do lots of things, and incubating projects designed to change the ways money and power flow in the world. Janna is the co-founder of VCs For Repro, honored as a Fast Company “World Changing Idea” for 2023, and she also sits on the board of A CALL TO MEN, a national violence prevention organization training and educating men and boys on healthy manhood.

Organization bio

VCs For Repro is a coalition of venture capital firms that frames abortion as an economic and innovation imperative.

The coalition began in early 2022 with a thesis that the venture capital community, with enormous power to shape society, and laser focused on innovation and the future, has an obligation to lead on reproductive rights.

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Time Stamps

[5:02] Janna intro

[7:38] Defining personal brand alignment 

[15:25] Origin of VCs for Repro

[16:10] Personhood laws and their impact to women and women’s health companies

[19:25] Role of risk in women’s health investment 

[24:15] Who is part of VCs for Repro? Why do they join?

[27:00] People underestimate their power and influence

[29:18] Abortion as a tool of economic suppression

[33:00] How to get involved in VCs for Repro

[36:00] Financial impact of reproductive rights and misogyny 

[38:30] Call to action – fund abortion access, talk about abortion with others

[41:30] Conclusion

Episode Contributors

Janna Meyrowitz Turner

LinkedIn: @Janna Meyrowitz Turner

Blog Post about Similarities between Marijuana and Abortion

VCs for Repro

Website: https://www.vcsforrepro.com/  

LinkedIn: @VCs for Repro

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

In this episode, we talk to Rosanne Longmore, CEO of Coroflo. We discuss the latest research around breastfeeding, personal and cultural factors that may influence breastfeeding rates, and how Coroflo is giving parents data-driven confidence in their baby’s milk consumption.

Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Guest bio

Rosanne Longmore is the CEO of Coroflo. Prior to Coroflo, Rosanne worked in financial services for 15 years, specializing in wealth management. She holds a degree from the University of Limerick, and further industry qualifications from the Institute of Project Management and the Institute of Bankers.

Organization bio

Coroflo is the company behind Coro - the world’s first accurate breastfeeding monitor, enabling parents to know exactly how much milk their baby is getting. Founded in 2017, Coroflo holds the worldwide patent for Coro, and has won numerous European and global innovation awards. To date, the company has raised $8m in funding.

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Time Stamps

[2:17] Interview Start +1:12

[3:14] Rosanne’s background

[06:15] What is Coroflo?

[08:39] Demo - potentially good reel

[9:43] Why women don’t reach the 6 month mark of breastfeeding (UK - 1%)

[11:46] Is there medical gaslighting in breastfeeding?

[15:00] Blue whales… 

[20:32] Tongue-tie

[27:20] Product launch timeline

[28:18] Fundraising as a femtech business 

[33:24] Men as customer inbound 

[37:01] Navigating marketing censorship

[39:40] Where we need innovation in women’s health + wellness 

[40:45] What women’s health needs to be successful

Episode Contributors

Rosanne Longmore

LinkedIn: @Rosanne Lomgmore

Coroflo

Website: https://www.corobaby.com/

LinkedIn: @Coroflo

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

In this episode, we talk to Priyanka Jain, Co-Founder and CEO of Evvy. We discuss what Evvy is, biomarkers in the vaginal microbiome and the future of vaginal healthcare. Don’t forget, you can get $10 off your Evvy kit using promocode FEMHEALTH10.

Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Guest bio

Priyanka is the co-founder & CEO of Evvy, where her mission is to close the gender health data gap. Evvy is unlocking precision female healthcare through researching novel female biomarkers, starting with the vaginal microbiome. Before founding Evvy, Priyanka was Head of Product at pymetrics, a startup using behavioral science and AI to make talent matching more effective and fair. She is also a spokesperson for the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up Campaign and on the Innovation Board for the XPRIZE Foundation. She received her B.S. from Stanford University, where she was a Mayfield Fellow and President of Stanford Women in Business.

Organization bio

Evvy is closing the gender health gap by leveraging overlooked female biomarkers, starting with the vaginal microbiome. Evvy’s innovative vaginal healthcare platform, powered by their groundbreaking vaginal microbiome test, is the first to combine state-of-the-art testing, precision care, and coaching to give women and people with vaginas the care they deserve. 

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Time Stamps

[03:03] Priyanka’s background

[08:16] The Evvy Product

[09:20] Existing diagnostic process 

[15:39] Are doctors receptive to external data in their appointments?

[16:53] Year of the patient

[19:17] “Feminine Hygiene” products 

[23:45] Vaginal Microbiome research

[32:31] Talking vaginas on TikTok

[34:25] Talking vaginal microbiomes to investors

Episode Contributors

Priyanka Jain

LinkedIn: @Priyanka Jain

Evvy

Website: https://www.evvy.com/

LinkedIn: @Evvy

Instagram: @evvy

TikTok: @evvybio

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

In this episode, we talk to Wendy Strgar, Founder and CEO of Good Clean Love, and Vaginal Biome Science. We discuss Wendy's companies, and what led her to create them, an Institute for Women's Health - will they or won't they - and the importance of getting to know your own vagina.

Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Guest bio

Wendy Strgar is an award-winning entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of Good Clean Love, a woman-owned B corporation and a pioneer in the organic personal care product industry.  She is also the founder and CEO of Vaginal Biome Science, a biotechnology company that develops vaginal microbiota-based therapies to protect and restore microbial health.  She was named in Top 25 Consumer HealthTech CEOs 2020  and has been recognized in the top 100 impact CEOs in 2022, 2021 and 2018.

Strgar's commitment to innovation lead to the development of patented BioMatched technology for women’s health. Strgar holds multiple US patents for Bio-Match technology, a leading scientific approach applying biomimicry to sexual health and hygiene products.

Organization bio

Good Clean Love products are distributed in more than 50,000 stores across the United States and Canada. As a leading sexual wellness brand, Good Clean Love products are found in top retailers such as Target, CVS, Kroger, Whole Foods Market, Walgreens and more. Its best-selling SKU is the #1 organic personal lubricant on the market.

Under Wendy’s leadership, Good Clean Love is a champion of sustainable business practices. In 2018, the company launched a carbon offset initiative; its flagship product, Almost Naked personal lubricant, became the first-ever Carbon Neutral intimacy product in the world. Good Clean Love is also one of the only personal care product brands whose products are packaged using bioplastic, a material made from recyclable sugar cane.

Good Clean Love was included in the prestigious Inc 5000 awards in 2022.  

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Time Stamps

[04:18] Wendy’s background

[16:50] Good Clean Love?

[29:25] Microbiome Sequencing

[34:03] Transfer of bacteria in same-sex relationships

[38:31] Long term goal for Vaginal Biome Science

[41:28] NIH

[44:45] Getting involved with Wendy and Good Clean Love

Episode Contributors

Wendy Strgar

LinkedIn: @Wendy Strgar

Good Clean Love

Website: https://goodcleanlove.com/

LinkedIn: @Good Clean Love

Instagram: @goodcleanlove

TikTok: @goodcleanlove

YouTube: @GoodCleanLove  

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

It’s been another year of major growth in the women's health innovation industry. In this annual end of year review with our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, we cover the major trends, wins, and challenges faced in 2023. We discuss societal shifts affecting our industry, review last year's predictions and see if they materialized, and make predictions for 2024. We look at the key industry influencers of 2023, investments, organizations, conferences, exits, startups that all shined this year and highlight ones to watch in 2024.

We loved doing this episode to wrap up an incredible year for the podcast! Thank you for sticking with us throughout 2023, we can’t wait to talk more about women’s health innovation in 2024!

Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Host bio

Dr. Brittany Barreto is a passionate advocate for advancing female health and wellness innovation. With a focus on building awareness, catalyzing investment and innovation, and providing data-driven insights and strategic advice, Dr. Barreto works tirelessly to positively impact women's lives.

After earning her doctorate in Molecular and Human Genetics from Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Barreto became a serial entrepreneur, most notably known for founding Pheramor, the world’s first DNA-based dating app. She also served as a senior venture associate at Capital Factor and co-founded Coyote Ventures, gaining valuable experience in the investment space.

Today, Dr. Barreto is a leading voice in the FemTech community. She hosts the FemTech Focus podcast, is a FemTech Forbes contributor, and founded FemHealth Insights, a boutique consulting firm with market research software specializing in women's health innovation.

Episode Sponsor

Good Clean Love

When my vagina is feeling a little off–like a little out of balance–I go for Good Clean Love’s Restore Moisturizing Vaginal Gel. It’s made to help with vaginal dryness, itching and unusual odor; so it’s my go-to before I feel like I should make a doctor’s appointment. And I feel comfortable using it, because of their Bio-Match Technology. Good Clean Love’s patented Bio-Match Technology taps into three factors that can maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome; which are osmolality, a healthy vaginal pH range and lactobacilli. Good Clean Love’s products are iso-osmolar to help you retain moisture and not strip any away. They have a pH range of 3.5 to 4.5 so their products match your vaginal pH range. And they contain lactic acid to help maintain a healthy vaginal biome. Holiday travel and stress always throws me a little out of whack, so if you’re like me, make sure to get yours before you travel! 10% off your first order using promo code FemTech. Shop products that are made to match your vaginal biome at goodcleanlove.com.

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Organizations featured (in alphabetical order):

AIVF, Amboy Street Ventures, Aveta Medical, BD, Cranberry, Daye, Ema, Essence, Evvy, FathomX, FemTech Association Asia, FemTech Canada, FemTech France, FemTech India, Fermata, HERA Biotech, Hertility, HLTH, HyIvy Health, iSono Health, kegg, Magee Women’s Institute,MedFemTech Congress, Midi Health, Milkify, MiM Fertility, MobileODT, Mosie Baby, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rosy, Unfabled, Vitala Globa, We Seek Care, Women of Wearables, Women’s Health Innovation Summit (WHIS)

Individuals featured (in order of feature):

Rachel Bartholomew, Susan Stover, Lindsay Davis, Navneet Kaur, Oriana Kraft, Valentina Milanova, Gila Tolub, Jamie White, Joanna Strober, Priyanka Jain, Dr. Helen O’Neill, Dr. Natalie Getreu, Deirdre O’Neill, Carli Sapir, Hannah Samano

Episode Contributors

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

Resources

FemHealth Insights Database

FemHealth Insights Mentor Network

FemHealth Insights Slack Community

FemHealth Insights Deals Newsletter - Investor Signup

FemHealth Insights Investor Newsletter - Founder/CEO Deal Submission Form

AI Breast Cancer Article

Silicon Valley Bank Report on Women’s Health

This episode is a bonus episode, brought to you in partnership with Nyoo ("New") Health. Nyoo hosts the "What's Nyoo!" series, with monthly events that bring together women and experts to have engaging, honest, and educational conversations about women's health, and this one is all about Pelvic Health. This event blew us away, and we knew we had to share it. Special thanks to Priya Bathija - CEO of Nyoo - for allowing us to share this recording. We hope you enjoy it just as much as we did!

Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Guest bios

Priya Bathija is a nationally-recognized healthcare leader, attorney, and policy expert. She is currently Founder and CEO of Nyoo Health, an organization dedicated to improving health and healthcare for women. Previously, she was at the American Hospital Association where she led policy efforts and strategic initiatives on value, health equity and maternal health. She started her career as a healthcare attorney and served as in-house counsel and a member of the leadership teams at ProMedica and MedStar Health. Priya is also a Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. In addition, she serves as a public board member for the American Board of Medical Specialties, the largest physician-led specialty certification organization in the U.S.

Carine Carmy is CEO and Co-Founder at Origin, the leading provider of pelvic floor and women’s physical therapy. She has focused her career on increasing access to products and services that improve lives, from healthcare to 3D printing. Carine's passion for women's health started in her twenties, when she struggled with painful sex for nearly a decade.  Following years of misdiagnoses, ineffective treatment options, and hearing “that’s just the way it is,” Carine discovered the power of pelvic floor physical therapy to treat, not only pelvic pain, but dozens of conditions and symptoms that impact some 40 million U.S. women and individuals with vaginal anatomy, every year. Already a go-to-market leader in healthcare and technology — with leadership roles at Amino, Shapeways, MarketspaceNext and Monitor Group — she felt compelled to help make pelvic health the norm for women across the country. Outside of Origin, Carine is an avid writer and has been published in MIT Technology Review, Forbes, Ad Age, and PSFK, and serves as an advisor to startups and nonprofits in support of diversity and economic equality.

Dr. Somi Javaid is a board-certified OB/GYN, leading women’s sexual health thought leader, and menopause advocate. She is the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of HerMD, a team on a mission to make women’s healthcare exceptional by educating, advocating for, and empowering patients to take control of their health concerns. Dr. Javaid has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, Well+Good, InStyle, Parents, Refinery29, Mashable, Adweek, and Popsugar. In August 2020 Dr. Javaid spoke about Gender Bias and the Female Sexual Health Revolution on the TEDx mainstage, and in January 2021 she was featured in Women on Topp for her work as a trailblazer and pioneer in women’s sexual health.

Dr. Rachel Rubin is a board-certified urologist and sexual medicine specialist. She is an assistant clinical professor of Urology at Georgetown University and owns her private practice in the Washington DC region. She is one of only a handful of physicians fellowship trained in male and female sexual medicine. Dr. Rubin is a clinician, researcher, and vocal educator in the field of sexual medicine. In addition to being education chair for the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), she also serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal Sexual Medicine Reviews. Her work has been featured in the NYT and PBS.

Emma Schmidt, PhD, is a doctor in Clinical Sexology, a Professional Clinical Counselor, Supervisor, and Certified Sex Therapist, Supervisor through the American Association for Sex Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) as well as the American Board for Christian Sex Therapists (ABCST). She is the owner of Emma Schmidt and Associates in Cincinnati, Indian and Kentucky, a therapy group practice which focuses on sex and relationship therapy. Dr. Schmidt received her Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Psychology as well as a Master of Arts in Counseling from Cincinnati Christian University. She received her Doctorate from Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. Her research and publications have focused on female sexual pain.

Organization bio

Nyoo Health provides strategic and advisory support to startups, investors, providers, and others as they grow and scale new ways of delivering health and healthcare to women. Beyond that, Nyoo Health is building a movement that will redefine women's health and investing in women as they advocate for themselves in the healthcare system.

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Episode Contributors

Priya Bathija

LinkedIn: @Priya Bathija

Carine Carmy

LinkedIn: @Carine Carmy & @Origin

Instagram: @carinerachelle & @theoriginway

Dr. Somi Javaid

LinkedIn: Somi Javaid, MD & HerMD

Instagram: @somijavaidmd & @hermdhealth

Dr. Rachel Rubin

LinkedIn: @Rachel Rubin

Instagram: @drrachelrubin

Dr. Emma Schmidt

LinkedIn: @Dr. Emma Schmidt

Instagram: @heyemmatherapy

Nyoo Health

Website: https://www.nyoohealth.com/

LinkedIn: @Nyoo Health

Instagram: @nyoohealth 

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

In this episode, we talk to Jiwon Park, Founder of the SAIB & Co. We discuss the past, present and future of women’s health in South Korea, how Korean culture has impacted the birth rate there, and unique challenges for femtech founders in Korea.

Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Guest bio

Jiwon Park is an award-winning designer, serial entrepreneur, and educator. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design(RISD), was a Fulbright Scholar, and has over 15 years of experience in design.

In 2018, Jiwon founded the sexual wellness company SAIB & Co. in Korea, after witnessing persistent misrepresentation and patriarchal stances towards women's sexual activities. Since then, she has dedicated herself fully to challenging these stereotypes and empowering women to embrace a positive attitude toward their own sexual health.

Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey of founding SAIB, she served as an Assistant Professor at UT Austin in Texas.

Organization bio

SAIB & Co. is a Korea-born FemTech company providing women with safe-to-use contraceptives and intimate hygiene products helping them to maintain their sexual wellness. The brand name SAIB flips the word BIAS, signaling the company's mission to overturn negative and patriarchal biases toward women exercising sexual agency.

Our female-friendly brand provides a safe space for women and delivers high-quality sexual wellness products using only healthy and natural ingredients.

With our discreet yet stylish design and shame-free experience, SAIB aims to normalize the perception of sexual wellness, redefining them as a natural and healthy part of life.

Episode Sponsor

Good Clean Love

What’s in my nightstand? Well, one thing I can tell you is Good Clean Love’s Almost Naked personal lubricant. It’s a water-based lube made of organic aloe vera and designed to mimic my body’s natural lubrication, all thanks to their Bio-Match Technology.

Good Clean Love’s patented Bio-Match Technology taps into three factors that can maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome; which are osmolality, a healthy vaginal pH range and lactobacilli. Good Clean Love’s products are iso-osmolar to help you retain moisture and not strip any away. They have a pH range of 3.5 to 4.5 so their products match your vaginal pH range. And they contain lactic acid to help maintain a healthy vaginal biome.

The holidays are coming up, and it’s not too late to get your stocking stuffers, like their travel-size Balance wash! 10% off your first order with promo code FemTech.

Shop products that are made to match a vaginal biome at goodcleanlove.com

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Time Stamps

[05:52] Jiwon’s background

[08:20] Differences between US and Korean culture towards sex

[11:22] SAIB & Co. 

[16:00] Response to the product in Korea

[19:56] Unique challenges as a femtech founder in South Korea

[25:30] History of women’s health in South Korea

[32:40] Women’s attitudes

[33:26] Changing attitudes in society

[34:38] What would you change if you had a magic wand?

[36:36] Fertility rates in South Korea

[43:23] The future of SAIB

Episode Contributors

Jiwon Park

LinkedIn: @Jiwon Park  

SAIB & Co.

Website: https://www.saib.co/

LinkedIn: @SAIB & Co.

Instagram: @saib.global, @saib.official

Twitter: @SAIBnCo

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

In this episode, we talk to Katie Schubert, President and CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research, or SWHR. We discuss the 3 pillars of SWHR’s work, the potential for an Institute for Women’s Health and methods of increasing the participation of underrepresented populations in clinical trials.

Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Guest bio

Kathryn (Katie) Schubert joined the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) as President and CEO in April 2020. Under Katie’s leadership, SWHR developed a strategic plan focused on fulfilling the organization’s mission of promoting research on biological sex differences in disease and improving women’s health through science, policy, and education.

She has served in multiple Board roles, including as Chair of the Board of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, advisor to the John E. Lewy Fund for Children’s Health, and past president of Women in Government Relations. She previously worked for the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), CRD Associates, and on Capitol Hill. She received her BA from Mary Washington College and her Masters of Public Policy from George Washington University. Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three children, and dog George.

Organization bio

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) is a national nonprofit and thought leader dedicated to promoting research on biological sex differences in disease and improving women’s health through science, policy, and education. Founded in 1990 by a group of physicians, medical researchers, and health advocates, SWHR is making women’s health mainstream by addressing unmet needs and research gaps in women’s health. 

Episode Sponsor

Good Clean Love

When my vagina is feeling a little off–like a little out of balance–I go for Good Clean Love’s Restore Moisturizing Vaginal Gel. It’s made to help with vaginal dryness, itching and unusual odor; so it’s my go-to before I feel like I should make a doctor’s appointment. And I feel comfortable using it, because of their Bio-Match Technology. Good Clean Love’s patented Bio-Match Technology taps into three factors that can maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome; which are osmolality, a healthy vaginal pH range and lactobacilli. Good Clean Love’s products are iso-osmolar to help you retain moisture and not strip any away. They have a pH range of 3.5 to 4.5 so their products match your vaginal pH range. And they contain lactic acid to help maintain a healthy vaginal biome.

Holiday travel and stress always throws me a little out of whack, so if you’re like me, make sure to get yours before you travel! 10% off your first order using promo code FemTech.

Shop products that are made to match your vaginal biome at goodcleanlove.com.

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Time Stamps

[04:26] Katie’s background

[08:32] What is SWHR?

[13:44] Should there be an Institute for Women’s Health at the NIH? 

[22:20] Is tech and investment involvement helping the conversation at Government level?

[26:54] Organization pillars:  policy, science and education

[30:38] SWHR Resources

[33:25] Policy Pillar

[29:20] Methods of getting lactating & pregnant women into clinical trials

[42:15] Education Pillar

[46:15] Upcoming Events and vision for the future of SWHR

Call to Action!

Don’t forget to subscribe to the FemTech Focus podcast, and leave us a review!

Episode Contributors

Katie Schubert

LinkedIn: @Kathryn Godburn Schubert

Society for Women’s Health Research

Website: https://swhr.org/

LinkedIn: @Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR)

Twitter: @SWHR

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

In this episode, we talk to Lanna Last, Co-Founder and CEO of AIMA (pronounced “eh-ma”). We discuss why pain has been considered normal - or simply ignored - for so long, how CBD and CBG have been proven in pre-clinical studies to have an anti-inflammatory effect, and - believe it or not - the link between Art History and Women’s Health!

Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!

Guest bio

Lanna is a queer ecofeminist and advocate for gynecological health. She started AIMA in 2019 in response to a lack of safe solutions for her period pain and has since led AIMA through IndieBio New York accelerator 2022-23, the incubator lab-2-launch at e@ubc, and Herstory for the top 30 female founders hosted by The51. Currently, Lanna is leading AIMA through a pre-seed fundraising round. Lanna is also on the board of Femtech Canada, and Endoville NY.

Organization bio

AIMA is empowering menstruators to manage their pain with freedom and dignity. AIMA has an LGBTQ+ female-led team, and has developed clinically tested patent-pending products for personalized period pain management. Their first OTC product, OVY is a vaginal suppository directing targeted high-dosage CBD and other active agents with proven pain relieving efficacy to reduce period pain and inflammation safely and effectively.

Episode Sponsor

Good Clean Love

What’s in our nightstand? Well, one thing we can tell you is Good Clean Love’s Almost Naked personal lubricant. It’s a water-based lube made of organic aloe vera and designed to mimic my body’s natural lubrication, all thanks to their Bio-Match Technology.

Good Clean Love’s patented Bio-Match Technology taps into three factors that can maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome; which are osmolality, a healthy vaginal pH range and lactobacilli. Good Clean Love’s products are iso-osmolar to help you retain moisture and not strip any away. They have a pH range of 3.5 to 4.5 so their products match your vaginal pH range. And they contain lactic acid to help maintain a healthy vaginal biome.

The holidays are coming up, and it’s not too late to get your stocking stuffers, like their travel-size Balance wash! 10% off your first order with promo code FemTech.

Shop products that are made to match a vaginal biome at goodcleanlove.com.

FemTech Focus Podcast bio

The FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women’s Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.

FemHealth Insights bio

Led by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women’s health market.

Time Stamps

[04:40] Lanna’s background

[05:01] Relation between art history and women’s health

[07:17] Laparoscopic surgery in Canada VS the US

[09:31] Contraception and TIA

[14:03] The Farm Bill

[19:41] Studies on Pain

[27:47] The Gender Pain Gap

[32:25] The Pain Gap and Cannabis

[48:51] Using AIMA products

[51:46] Next for AIMA

[52:18] Paid Period Leave Campaign

[53:00] Affiliate Program 

Episode Contributors

Lanna Last

LinkedIn: @Lanna Last

Twitter: @last_lanna

AIMA Inc

Website: https://www.femtechfrance.org/

LinkedIn: @AIMA Inc

Instagram: @thisismyaima

Twitter: @thisismyaima

TikTok: @thisismyaima  

Dr. Brittany Barreto

LinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.

Twitter: @DrBrittB

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto

FemTech Focus Podcast

Website: https://femtechfocus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocus

Twitter: @FemTech_Focus

Instagram: @femtechfocus

FemHealth Insights

Website: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/

LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

Resources

Become an AIMA Affiliate

Capitalizing on the Curse: The Business of Menstruation

Use promocode FEMTECH10 for 10% off your first order with AIMA