| | | | We’re still catching our breath after three whirlwind days at the SHE Media Co-Lab at SXSW—where the conversations around women’s health weren’t just insightful, they were urgent. The energy in the room was palpable, the ideas bold, and if one thing was clear, it’s this: the future of women’s health is shifting, fast.
One of the most compelling conversations to emerge centered around sexual health in midlife—how it’s not just an afterthought but an essential part of whole-body wellness.
“Sex is wellness,” as Dr. Emily Morse put it during her panel. “For so long, it’s been treated as the outlier in health conversations, when really, it affects everything—our stress levels, our relationships, our confidence.” Dr. Uchenna Ossai drove the point home, emphasizing that just as we’ve shattered the stigma around menopause, it’s time to push the conversation further—embracing sexual wellness as an integral part of thriving in midlife.
That same spirit of advocacy pulsed through the weekend, especially in discussions around the black-box warning on topical estrogen products. As menopause experts pointed out, removing this outdated and misleading label is a rare, tangible step the FDA can take that requires no additional research, no extra funding—just a commitment to women’s health. “Yes, there are obstacles, but we fundamentally have research that negates what the black box warning says,” Dr. Jessica Shepherd noted. “From a consumer, from a patient, from a woman's standpoint, we can make that noise in order to be heard.”
And then, of course, there was the topic that no one could stop talking about—GLP-1s and gut health. The conversation is shifting beyond weight loss and into something much bigger: metabolic health, longevity, even cognitive protection. As Dr. Jennifer Ashton noted, “We’re only at the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding the full impact of GLP-1s on the body.”
Meanwhile, gut health is having a well-earned renaissance, with new insights into how our microbiome influences everything from mood to immune function. And for those of us not on GLP-1s? We’re learning more about how the right foods can support metabolic health in a way that makes us feel just as good.
There’s so much more that I’m excited to share with you, and we’ll be diving into all of it on our website over the next few weeks. But for now, one thing is clear: when women’s health is prioritized—when we push for better conversations, better policies, better solutions—we all win. |
| How One Doctor Turned Her Pain Into Progress, Transforming the Future of Pregnancy Care For decades, women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)—a debilitating form of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting—were often dismissed, their pain minimized and their suffering misunderstood. Dr. Marlena Fejzo knows this all too well. A geneticist and researcher at the University of Southern California, Fejzo’s personal experience with HG left her bedridden, unable to move without vomiting, and ultimately, led to the heartbreaking loss of her pregnancy. When she recovered, she turned her anguish into action, dedicating her career to finding the genetic cause of HG.
Through her groundbreaking research, Fejzo identified the first genes associated with the condition, and her findings have already paved the way for new drug development and clinical trials aimed at helping those who suffer from severe pregnancy sickness. She’s also played a critical role in highlighting the inequities in women’s health research—particularly when it comes to funding and representation in clinical studies. Here, she shares more about her journey, the latest advancements in HG treatment and the challenges of working in women’s health today. |
You recently did groundbreaking work into HG that was deeply personal for you—while also working full-time on other women’s health issues. How did your own experience lead you to action? I was incredibly ill during my pregnancy. I couldn't move without violently vomiting. For weeks, I just laid flat, staring at the ceiling. Nothing worked—not the seven different medications I was prescribed, not the home IV fluids, not even the feeding tube I was eventually put on. It was too late, and I lost the pregnancy in my second trimester.
During that time, my doctor dismissed me. He told me I was exaggerating my symptoms for attention. I was too weak to argue. I became so ill that I lost the ability to speak. I had to use a buzzer to signal for basic needs. I couldn’t even sit up, shower or brush my teeth. It was torture.
After I recovered, I was stunned at how little was known about HG. As a geneticist specializing in women’s health, I had already worked on identifying the first genes linked to uterine fibroids. So, I decided to take the same approach with HG—to find the root cause, not just treat the symptoms.
What has the impact of your research been? I’ve received overwhelming feedback from patients with HG who tell me my research validates their experience. Even today, too many clinicians mistreat patients with this condition—dismissing them, telling them it's in their heads. But I know the awareness we’ve raised has helped change that.
Beyond awareness, my research has led to real progress. The company NGM Bio recently developed a drug trial based, in part, on my work, and just last month, they treated their first patient. It’s still early, but seeing my research translate into a tangible treatment option is incredibly rewarding.
Is there a project you’re most excited about right now? Yes—I've partnered with the first morning sickness clinic in the U.S., in Birmingham, Alabama, which serves a high proportion of Black patients. Black women are more likely to experience HG and more likely to be hospitalized for it, yet they are historically underrepresented in research.
I’m building a biobank of patient DNA, which will allow us to analyze new genes and proteins linked to HG and identify potential biomarkers. It’s a step toward ensuring that treatment and prevention strategies work for everyone—not just a select few.
At the same time, we need better funding for women’s health research. I’m trying to get support for a clinical trial, but the process is full of delays. Patients reach out to me constantly, desperate for answers, but I can’t give them definitive guidance until the research is fully completed—and that requires resources. It’s an impossible cycle, and it shouldn’t be this hard.
How do you find flow? I make a list every week of what I want to accomplish. It doesn’t have to be something big—even small steps forward feel like an achievement. Each step is a rung on the ladder. It keeps me focused, and most importantly, it keeps me moving forward. |
Shining a Light on Spring Beauty Spring is a season of renewal, and what better way to embrace the shift than with a beauty refresh?
For those embracing their grays, a quality shampoo can make all the difference. Gray and white strands, which naturally lack melanin, tend to be more porous, making them prone to dullness, brassiness and UV damage. The right formula not only keeps color bright but also restores moisture and strengthens the hair.
Just as hair care calls for a more tailored approach, so does makeup. Lips, in particular, often reveal the first signs of aging, as collagen levels decrease and fine lines become more prominent. Traditional matte lipsticks can feel drying, but today’s formulas are designed with moisture in mind, offering long-lasting wear without settling into lines. The key is prioritizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and botanical oils, which nourish while enhancing the lips' natural shape. |
READING How to Menopause —the anticipated book from Emmy award-winning journalist Tamsen Fadal. Packed with cutting-edge research, real stories and actionable advice from today's biggest experts in women's health, her book offers the support and information women deserve. A must-read for every woman in (or nearing) midlife, actress Halle Berry’s even calling it, “the menopause Bible!” Plus, don't miss Fadel at the New York, N.Y., Barnes & Nobel on Fifth Ave. on Tuesday, March 25, to celebrate the book's release and the official kick-off of her book tour!
SHOPPING for the Truvaga Plus device, a rechargeable and app-controlled device with unlimited sessions to stimulate the vagus nerve for stress release and an overall calming sensation in the body. Experts agree that strengthening the vagus nerve—which manages how the body responds to stress and is responsible for kicking off different stress responses such as, fight, flight and freeze—through stimulation can help the body shift away from chronic stress states and back into relaxation and balance.
EMBRACING the joy of saunas. Research has shown that sauna use offers both short- and long-term health benefits, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (the number one killer of women), reduction in vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes, and lower risks of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
LISTENING to personalized sound environments that match user activities via an award-winning generative music app called Endel . The app uses real-time information, such as heart rate and circadian rhythm, to adjust the music as you’re listening. With three modes—Relax, Focus and Sleep—and numerous exercises (Focus Boost, Anxiety Relief), scenarios (Deep Work, Wake Up, Create) and soundscapes (Wind Down, Wiggly Wisdom) to choose from, Endel is an innovative app that can help create a soothing, focus-driven atmosphere for those who sometimes need a reminder to just take a deep breath. |
|
It's Not Too Late to Enter to Win! We had a blast at the SHE Media Co-Lab at SXSW in Austin, Texas! And while the event is unfortunately over, we're still buzzing from the three days of inspirational panels, actionable advice and incredible insights from some of the world's most awe-inspiring and motivational experts, doctors and women's health advocates. If you had to miss out on this year's fun, don't worry—Flow Space's exclusive SXSW giveaway, packed with some of the most innovative wellness products on the market worth over $1,000, is still up for grabs!
Register by clicking on the graphic below for your chance to score an incredible collection of science-backed wellness essentials. Keep reading HERE to see everything that’s included!
|
| | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment