| | | | Imagine a future where women’s health is finally given the attention it deserves. Gives you chills, doesn’t it? First Lady Jill Biden is taking a bold step toward that reality, unveiling an ambitious plan to invest at least $500 million each year in groundbreaking research dedicated to women's health. This historic commitment aims to close the gaps that have long left women underserved, and it’s a game-changer for how we understand and treat everything from heart disease to cancer.
Biden shared the news last week, while closing out the first day of this year's Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York. This significant investment will primarily come from the Department of Defense, which provides medical care to over 230,000 active-duty military women and nearly two million military retirees and their families. The research will focus on understanding why women, particularly those in the military, experience endocrine, immune and blood-related disorders at twice the rate of men.
This announcement builds on last year’s news that President Joe Biden had introduced the first-ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, spearheaded by the First Lady and the White House Gender Policy Council.
While this news is exciting, the details of how exactly that $500 million will be spent remains unclear. As promising as this initiative seems, there’s a critical need for transparency and concrete plans to ensure that these funds are used where they will have the most impact.
To make a real difference in women’s health, the money should focus on researching conditions that disproportionately affect women—like autoimmune disorders, heart disease and certain cancers that often don’t get enough attention. It’s also crucial to look deeper into areas like menopause, hormonal health and the long-term effects of pregnancy, all of which have been overlooked for far too long.
Not to mention, we need better access to care for underserved communities, more inclusive clinical trials that reflect the diversity of women and advancements in personalized medicine that consider women’s unique needs.
While this commitment is a huge step in the right direction, real progress will come from how these resources are used and the actions that follow. The future of women’s health depends on smart, targeted investments, and now’s the time to make sure that vision turns into reality. |
| The Urologist Who Is Somehow Making Bladder Health Fun—and Maybe Even a Little Sexy When it comes to women’s health, some topics still don’t get the attention they deserve—urology being one of them. Dr. Kelly Casperson, a board-certified urologic surgeon, author, sex educator and podcaster, is on a mission to change that.
Through her podcast You Are Not Broken, Casperson mixes education, humor and straight talk to bring a fresh perspective to women’s urological health. She simplifies complex topics, making them easy to understand and relatable, while encouraging open conversations about issues that are often kept in the shadows.
Her latest book, You Are Not Broken: Stop "Should-ing" All Over Your Sex Life, dives into how bladder health can impact your sex life, offering practical advice on how to shift your mindset. She also explores what makes women’s bodies physiologically unique, helping readers better understand and care for their health.
In this week’s newsletter, Casperson joins us to debunk the biggest myths about bladder health and to share her top tips for having your best sex in your 40s. |
While doing research for your new book, what was the most surprising piece of information that you learned about bladder health? Seventy percent of women don't orgasm by putting something in their vagina. If you get taught sex-ed, you get a very specific "disease and pregnancy prevention" plan. You don't get anything about consent. You don't get anything about pleasure. You don't get anything about how anatomy works. So because of that, we're watching movies and kind of guessing. We're carrying all these little pieces of misinformation with us.
If you could recommend one self-care ritual for women going through perimenopause or menopause, what would it be? Prioritize sleep. If you can't sleep, you can't repair injuries to your body. It's harder to heal. It affects sexual desire. It affects work performance. It affects interest in sex. Sleep is like the superpower for everything.
What's one myth about menopause and bladder health you would love to debunk? I always hear that bladder leakage is normal. Just because things are common doesn't mean that things are normal, right? Bladder leakage is not often talked about. If you can't run and you can't do cardio, that affects your cardiovascular health. As far as your sex life, you’re self-conscious about having an accident in bed. So if you fix a woman's bladder leakage, her sex life gets better.
How do you find flow? Yoga, body movement, mobility, weights, anything that gets me in the present moment. |
Shining a Spotlight on Psoriatic Arthritis If you're over 30, you've likely experienced joint pain. The risk of osteoarthritis and flare-ups of old injuries increases with age. Hormonal changes during midlife can also trigger joint swelling and discomfort, making joint and muscle pain common during perimenopause.
However, sometimes joint pain points to a more serious condition, like psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
PsA is an inflammatory autoimmune condition that affects both the joints and skin. While its exact cause isn't fully understood, it’s believed that some combination of genes, immune system and environmental factors play a role.
Fortunately, there are several ways to manage PsA, including prescribed medications, at-home remedies, lifestyle changes and physical therapy.
Working with your healthcare provider to create a personalized plan is also key to preventing and controlling symptoms. Additionally, over-the-counter products and natural remedies can help manage common PsA symptoms alongside your treatment strategy. |
READING Dr. Jessica Shepherd’s new book, Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause, provides a much-needed roadmap for navigating this stage of life. As a board-certified OB-GYN and Flow Space Advisory Council member, Shepherd brings a fresh perspective and practical plan for a new generation experiencing perimenopause and menopause—something we can all appreciate.
EXCITED for the EUDÉMONIA Summit. In November, Eudēmonia, which means “flourishing” in Greek, is hosting a three-day event filled with activities centered on movement, nourishment, mental clarity, restoration and connection. Held at the Hilton West Palm Beach and the Palm Beach County Convention Center, the event offers everything from expansive spaces and poolside venues to outdoor fitness and culinary sessions, all designed to elevate your well-being.
SHOPPING all the best products for healthy hair. In celebration of National Hair Day earlier this week (Tuesday, October 1), we’re highlighting some incredible finds—from shampoos for gray hair to treatments forthinning strands. OUTRAGED by a new survey from Carrot Fertility which exposes the alarming lack of workplace support for women going through menopause and its impact on the U.S. labor force. The study found that 70% of millennials would consider quitting their jobs to manage menopause symptoms; 61% are anxious about experiencing menopause while working; and 32% fear it could hinder their career advancement. Get it together, corporate America. |
| You're invited! Please join us on October 10th for our next event in New York City at 5:30 p.m. ET. We will be joined by award-winning journalist and menopause advocate Tamsen Fadal to screen and discuss her new documentary, The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause. Fadel will be joined by founder of HerMD, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, co-founder of Tribe Called V.
If you'd like to attend, RSVP here! |
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