23andMe Sold, Equinox Sued, and Ovarian Cancer’s Quiet Fix

🌞 Good Morning!

And for those in the northeast - we finally have sunshine! 🎉

From a genetic data fire sale to a legal win for menstrual pain, this week’s stories show what happens when women’s health meets systems that weren’t built for us.

🧬 23andMe changes hands—and so does your DNA
⚖️ A woman sues over period pain—and wins
🩺 The overlooked surgery that could prevent ovarian cancer
💼 Funding opportunities, advocacy events, and why I need your help shaping a new endo map and doctor toolkit
🧠 Plus: a Real Housewife producer’s maternal death, and one unforgettable scene from Fleabag

It’s a lot—but so is the work ahead. Dive in below.

🧬 23andMe Sold—But What Happens to Your Data?

Anne Wojcicki’s nonprofit TTAM just acquired 23andMe after bankruptcy—along with the DNA of 15 million users.

Why it matters: You might have trusted a company with your genetic data. But what happens when it’s resold—without a new consent form?

👉 Read the update

⚖️  Menstrual Pain as a Disability? A Landmark Win.

A woman with endometriosis asked to delay an interview due to severe cramps. Equinox rejected her. The EEOC ruled in her favor.

Why it matters: This isn’t just about one job—it’s a new chapter in how menstrual symptoms are treated under disability law.

👉 See the case summary

📢 The Quiet Cancer Prevention No One’s Talking About

Most ovarian cancers start in the fallopian tubes—not the ovaries. That’s why more OB-GYNs are removing tubes instead of tying them. But messy insurance rules, unclear consent, and outdated codes have left many women confused about what surgery they’ve actually had.

Why it matters:
New diagnostic codes go live this fall to fix billing and documentation. But most patients still don’t know salpingectomy is even an option—or that it could prevent cancer.

👉 Learn what to ask your OB-GYN

🙌🏼 Announcements

🛠️ Fempower Tools & Insights

📊 Help Build the Endometriosis Ecosystem Map
If you're building, funding, researching, or advocating in endometriosis, we want you on the map.
👉 Add your insights here

🧭 Want Better Doctor Visits? Help Me Test This.
I’m finalizing a How to Talk to Your Doctor toolkit—and need reviewers.
👉 Reply to this email.

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars

🏛️ Women's Health Research: Why We Need It Now More Than Ever

Join Liz Powell and a powerful panel as they unpack why women’s health remains underfunded—across research, reimbursement, and innovation.

🗓️ Monday, July 7
🕐 12:00 PM ET
📍 Virtual briefing
🔗 Register here

Featuring voices from UPMC, Women Who Rock, WHA’s Pittsburgh chapter, and more.

💼 NIH SEED: Funding for Health Innovators

If you're building a solution in diagnostics, therapeutics, or digital health, NIH SEED wants to talk.

🗓️ Wednesday, June 25
🕐 11:00 AM ET
📍 Virtual info session on small business funding pathways
🔗 Register here

🙌🏼 What Keeps Me Curious (Plus)

🧪 What’s next for midlife women’s health?
NIH just announced new awardees focused on menopause, midlife, and more. → See the list

🕯️ A mother dies giving birth in 2024.
The executive producer of Real Housewives, a mom of two, dies during delivery. How is this still happening? → Read more

🔥 “Fleabag” on menopause.
A scene so raw, funny, and real it’s basically a PSA. (Watch with a glass of wine or a rage journal.) → Watch clip

📘 Endometriosis book alert.
Endometriosis. Understand your symptoms. Get the right treatment. Reclaim your life. → View the book

👩‍👦 This parenting video is 🙌🏼.
A mom rewrites classic “tough love” lines by letting her son finish the sentence. → Watch clip