Women don't prioritize their health + Bumble privacy + IUD pain
A short newsletter on women's health and innovation
Dear friends,
Many of you have asked what you can do to support The Vagina Business—thank you so much! I really appreciate it.
Right now, I need some help with the panelpicker at SXSW. I’ve applied to give a book talk on how we can overcome stigma in women’s health and why femtech is a huge business opportunity. If you can spare 30 seconds, please create an account and vote here: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/150229 I’ll buy you a beer next time I see you.
I’m still experimenting with the format of this newsletter. I’ve included five items this time (let me know what you think). My goal is to pinpoint some key takeaways on the stories everyone’s been talking about. For those of you who have just signed up for this newsletter (welcome!)—the first instalment is here.
Survey: What women can do to prioritize their health. A doctor explains
As women we don’t prioritize our own health. Women across all generations: Generation Z (74%), Millennials (70%), Baby Boomers (52%), Silent Generation (39%) said it was hard to prioritize their health. The main reasons: feeling overwhelmed, caring for others before themselves, and work. Young women were likely to cite anxiety and concerns about pain as preventing them from getting timely health screenings, which are important for the early detection of diseases. Dr Leana Wen’s advice: your primary care provider should keep track of your screenings, women should know their personal medical circumstances and risk factors (family history, lifestyle) to find out what screening is recommended and when.
Guidelines: Doctors to help patients manage IUD pain
The CDC has finally issued pain management recommendations for clinicians who insert intra-uterine devices (IUDs). About time! Women have really had enough of being told, “You’re being dramatic.” But the issue is that ibuprofen doesn’t seem to help much and that recommendations for the use of lidocaine are based on research that’s 12 years old.
Nuance: Don’t just stick women on HRT
Dr Sue Mann, a consultant who is the first NHS national clinical director for women’s health, has said that HRT is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. In the UK, the “Davina effect” (documentaries and campaigns by the celebrity Davina McCall) have sent HRT demand soaring. But it’s not for everyone (depending on symptoms, medical history and preferences). At the very least, menopausal women need to be informed about the potential risks and benefits of HRT.
Letter: Does your dating app sell your data?
Privacy organizations have written a letter to Bumble asking the app to clarify whether it’s selling user data. This follows a study from KU Leuven which found that several dating apps, including Bumble and Hinge, have a vulnerability that could enable one user to identify the location of another user with an accuracy of 2 meters. It appears that Bumble is being singled out because of it’s declared “commitment to gender justice” but many dating apps are guilty.
Quote: “If you're a sexual wellness company and you sell a lube with coconut oil and you don't tell consumers in your marketing copy that it can break condoms, please consider how you are potentially harming people's lives.” – Carolyn Wheeler, CEO of Vella Bioscience, who posted about this on LinkedIn.