What We Say, What We Build: Vaginal Health, Endo Collaboration & Smarter Medical Care

✨ This Week: What We Say, What We Build

Language matters. So does structure.
Whether we’re naming body parts, redesigning medical education, or pushing for better models in women’s health—it all comes down to clarity, credibility, and who gets heard.

🗣 Say Vagina Month: Evofem calls out the quiet censorship around vaginal health
🎙 Podcast Feature: My conversation with Sharron Cox on what it really takes to build sustainable women’s health solutions
🟡 Endometriosis Working Group: A quick update, a 5-minute explainer video, and a way you can help spread the word
🧠 What’s Catching My Eye: From whole-person MD programs to preeclampsia, ADHD, and the science of baby gender—plus something joyful and ridiculous (because why not?)

Plenty to dig into—let me know what sparks your interest.

ADVOCACY

📣 NEW: August is “Say Vagina” Month

Why Is It Still Controversial to Say Vagina?

In August, Evofem is launching “Say Vagina Month.” And honestly? It’s long overdue.

We’re still seeing doctors and educators get their content removed just for using accurate anatomical terms. Not graphic. Not misleading. Just... real words.

Platforms say it’s about guidelines. But when medical language gets flagged—while misinformation runs free—we have a problem.

Here’s why this matters:
👉 If we can’t say it, we can’t advocate for it.
👉 We can’t learn about it.
👉 We can’t get care for it.

This isn’t about being edgy. It’s about access, autonomy, and clinical accuracy. And if you’ve followed me for a while, you know how often women feel dismissed, misdiagnosed, or left in the dark because of the complex history in women’s health.

I interviewed Jackie Rotman, founder of the Center for Intimacy Justice, about the advocacy behind this campaign. I’ll be sharing more of that soon—but for now, I wanted to highlight this moment.

Because this isn’t just a campaign—it’s a conversation we need to have.
Without shame. Without filters. Without treating basic anatomy like a threat.

Let’s say it. Let’s mean it.

Vagina.

🙋‍♀️ I’ll also be interviewing Saundra Pelletier, CEO of Evofem.
What questions do you want us to cover? 👉 Just reply to this email.

🎧 Related: Listen to my episode with Jackie Rotman

SPOTLIGHT

Designing Care That Actually Works—for Women and the System

We can’t fix women’s health with passion alone. We need data. We need strategy. And we need solutions that actually work—not just in theory, but in the messy reality of healthcare.

I joined Sharron Cox on #SheLeadsBiotech to talk about what it really takes to move the needle in women’s health. Because here’s the reality:
The healthcare system is hard to navigate for everyone—but for women, it’s often even more complicated. Between gaps in research, inconsistent care models, and outdated reimbursement structures, it’s no wonder we keep seeing the same problems resurface.

In this episode, we cover:
🔹 Why misdiagnosis and delays in care are still so common
🔹 What I look for when evaluating women’s health startups
🔹 How to build solutions that align science, empathy, and business
🔹 Why strategic storytelling isn’t fluff—it’s essential

If you’re building in this space—or just trying to make sense of it—I hope this conversation offers something useful.

🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcast.

UPDATE

✨ Endometriosis Working Group

A few weeks ago, I announced the formation of an Endometriosis Working Group. I’ve been truly encouraged by the positive feedback and the many conversations I’ve had since—with researchers, advocates, clinicians, and companies working across the space.

It’s clear this is something people have been craving. Even among those who normally compete, there’s a shared understanding: if we want real change in endometriosis care, we need to collaborate.

Here are two quick things I wanted to share:

🔹 I recorded a 5-minute Loom video that explains the purpose of the group and what we’re aiming to build—both short-term and long-term.

🔹 I also put together an email template you can use to share this with others. Please feel free to forward it to researchers, endo-focused companies, clinicians, advocates, investors—anyone with a stake in fixing this. The more perspectives we have, the stronger this group will be.

More to come soon, but for now—thank you for the early momentum. We’re just getting started.

P.S. If you’re interested in joining or staying in the loop, just reply or fill out this quick form—I’d love to keep you updated.

🙌🏼 What Caught My Eye This Week

🧠 Rethinking Medical Education
Alice Walton (yes, that Walton) is launching a new four-year MD program that weaves in a whole-person approach. It’s an interesting shift—especially given how traditional med ed has overlooked women’s health and social context.
👉 Read more

⚠️ Preeclampsia: Are We Finally Making Progress?
Dr. Neel Shah breaks down the history and science behind this deadly pregnancy complication. For something so common and dangerous, it’s shocking how little progress we’ve made—until maybe now.
👉 Read the article

🥦 ADHD & Diet—Is There a Link?
New research on ADHD is generating buzz. Here’s a short clip exploring whether diet might play a role. Not a cure-all, but worth watching.
👉 Watch here

👶 Boy or Girl? It’s Not Just Chance.
Turns out the 50/50 odds of having a boy or girl aren’t so evenly split after all. Some families may lean one way—and scientists are starting to understand why.
👉 Explore the data

🧸 Bear on a Trampoline. Because Why Not.
A little chaos. A lot of bounce. This clip made my week.
👉 Watch here