| | | | Let's talk about something that affects all of us: our health and, more specifically, the stark reality of women's healthcare in the United States. According to a recent brief from the Commonwealth Fund, women in the U.S. are facing shorter life expectancies compared to women in other wealthy nations. This isn't just a statistic; it’s a wake-up call. The data, drawn from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals that as of 2022, life expectancy for women at birth in the U.S. is just 80 years. That’s the lowest among high-income countries in regions like Europe, Asia and Oceania. To put it into perspective, American women are expected to live two years less than women in the United Kingdom and seven years less than women in Korea and Japan, where life expectancy for women is the highest.
But the disparities don't stop there. Life expectancy for Black, American Indian and Alaska Native women is considerably lower compared to their white, Asian and Hispanic counterparts. For example, Asian women in the U.S. have the highest life expectancy at about 86 years, while Hispanic women can expect to live until 83, and white women until 80. On the other hand, Black women have a life expectancy of just 76 and a half years, while Alaska Native and American Indian women face an even shorter expectancy of about 71 years.
These numbers are more than just figures on a page—they reflect the deep inequities in our healthcare system that we must address. Beyond life expectancy, women in the U.S. face numerous other healthcare disparities. For example, pain management for women is often inadequate, with conditions like endometriosis and fibromyalgia frequently going underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Menopause and aging, too, are areas that are vastly underfunded and under researched, leaving many women to navigate these significant life transitions with little to no support. And let’s not forget sexual health—issues like low libido and sexual dysfunction are often overlooked or dismissed, despite their profound impact on quality of life.
Case in point: we deserve better. Although there has been immense progress in regards to treatment and conversations around menopause, there’s still a long way to go. We deserve a healthcare system that truly supports us all because our health—and our lives—depend on it. |
| Meet the Founder on a Mission to Reshape the Conversation Around Perimenopause Laura Okafor is on a mission to shed light on the complex changes that accompany perimenopause. Inspired by her mother’s own experience navigating the transition without guidance or resources, Okafor set out to build something that would provide support and education. The result was perry, an app launched in 2021, which offers a wealth of expert-vetted information.
However, as Okafor emphasizes, the app’s true focus is on fostering a sense of community and ensuring that women feel heard and understood. As we approach Perimenopause Awareness Month in September, Okafor shares in this interview what she has learned from creating the app and her excitement about its future. |
If you could create a playlist that perfectly captures the rollercoaster of perimenopause, what three songs would absolutely make the cut? We used to have a sticker, which read, I have 99 problems, and an itch is one. So since then, the Jay-Z song, '99 Problems' is definitely one which is kind of our perimenopause anthem. That would be one song which is definitely on the perimenopause playlist. We're just declaring the 22nd of September, World Perimenopause Day, and on the 19th, we're going to have an offline even that we're calling 'Perimenopause ROAR.' So Katy Perry's 'Roar.' I guess that would be my second one, because it's all about raising awareness, getting the word out there and just kind of beating on the drums. The third one? I don't know, something with WTF in it.
What’s the most unexpected or funny piece of advice you’ve received (or given) about navigating perimenopause? I think that the main difference with perimenopause, especially when it comes to other moments in our lives, is that there is no manual for it. With pregnancy, you always think in these three trimesters, and you kind of know what's happening. You have life experiences from others on what's happening and what to expect. We always call perimenopause, what to expect when you're not expecting. You don't have the manual, because it's so unique for everyone. So it's something which is happening individually only to you, but also to everyone.
During the creation of Hey Perry, what was the most important piece of information you discovered about perimenopause? The biggest lessons I have learned is that perimenopause is emotional health , which is a completely underserved conversation. We started with the the typical content when building Perry, like hot flashes and night sweats. But that's not really what women care about. It's more about the emotional part. Like, I don't feel like myself. I feel isolated. What happened to the old person? The whole Perimenopause Awareness Month is really under the roof of I don't feel like myself. I think that's the biggest learning that we really have to hone in on. Then, the second one is really on the millennial part. Yes, there is menopause, which the official age in the US is 51, but what about everybody who's 35 plus? How do they learn about it? How can can we make this more of a preventive conversation than a kind of "shit hit the fan" conversation?
When you’re not busy reshaping the conversation around perimenopause, how do you manage to find flow? I know this might sound awful, but I listen to the soundtrack of Succession. That's how I find flow when I have to get things done. I listen to that on repeat. I have three kids, so having the first two minutes of my day with a cup of coffee and no screens, or anyone talking to me. That and some mindfulness. That's how I start the day. |
Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby! Entering your 40s and approaching menopause doesn’t mean saying goodbye to great sex—in fact, it can be a time to rediscover and redefine your sexual pleasure. While hormone fluctuations during this stage of life can lead to challenges like low libido, vaginal dryness and discomfort, understanding these changes and how they affect your body can empower you to take control of your sexual health. Luckily, members of our advisory council have a few thoughts on the matter and decided to share their advice. Unfortunately, when it comes to sexual health, the pharmaceutical landscape reveals a stark disparity: while men have a plethora of options, women are left with far fewer choices. This gender gap isn't just a matter of inconvenience—it's a critical issue that affects the quality of life, relationships and overall well-being of countless women.
Surprisingly, diet and nutrition play a key role in our sex lives and can affect libido. In fact, by adjusting your diet and adding in a few ingredients, you may be able to naturally boost your sex drive and support your sexual health through menopause and beyond. Who knew? |
READING Diane Keaton's new book on her iconic style. Fashion First takes a nostalgic journey through Keaton's fashion evolution, reflecting on her favorite—and not-so-favorite—style moments, from childhood homemade outfits to red carpet looks and the street style experiments she’s embraced from the 1960s to today. APPLAUDING Naomi Watts' partnership with Australian clothing brand Camilla and Marc in raising awareness about ovarian cancer. The campaign highlights ovarian cancer and the important work designers Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman are doing through their initiative, Ovaries. Talk About Them. ANTICIPATING Angelina Jolie’s new role as Greek soprano Maria Callas. The role marks Jolie’s first major film appearance in 11 years, following her decision to undergo a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction after discovering her significantly elevated risk of breast cancer due to a BRCA1 gene mutation.
INGESTING more pumpkin seeds and roasted almonds to get extra magnesium in our diets, which science says it's crucial for brain health. A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that individuals with higher-than-average magnesium levels had healthier, more youthful brains, regardless of gender. |
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