The FemGuide: Issue 5
Menstrual-linked asthma, the pelvic floor, and how a new book and Britney's testimony are advancing female health rights
Hello and welcome to The FemGuide, July edition. I hope this issue can provide some content as you look for distractions from traffic, delayed Sunday Scaries, and an exclusively 4th-themed social media feed.
Before we get into it, I’m excited to share that The FemGuide now has a fresh new website, which includes the launch of some exciting education and coaching programs. As a thanks for your support, newsletter readers receive 20% off with code TFGNews. If you are interested, book some time to discuss working together or apply to join a group program here.
As always, if you enjoy, please spread the word!
Science: Menstrual-linked asthma
In June, I presented my research on the relationship between menstrual health and exercise, diet, and sleep at the (virtual) Female Athlete Conference at Boston Children’s Hospital. Nothing is more exciting to me than having a two and a half day excuse to drop everything and nerd out on the newest research (especially female athlete research, which I find can precede research for the general population). I binged on these conference lectures like they were episodes of Mare of Easttown.
I was especially interested in - and shocked to learn of - a new cycle-specific health issue for the first time: menstrual-linked asthma (MLA). Top sports scientists discussed this as if it was common knowledge and it got me wondering, how has this not made its way to the masses yet? Or at the very least, made its way to me, a researcher on how sex hormones influence health?
Here are the stats: before puberty, the prevalence of asthma is greater in males, but once puberty hits, it is more prevalent in females (it’s the most common respiratory disorder in women of reproductive age). The female-to-male ratio of asthma-related ER visits is 3:1 and of those who are eventually admitted, 75% are women. Despite the female dominance in struggling to breathe, there is very little research on why that is.
However, there is a foundation of scientific data showing that people with periods can develop a specific type of asthma that occurs cyclically, known as menstrual-linked asthma. Studies across Western countries show that 30-40% of asthmatic females have this type. Individuals with MLA have higher inflammatory markers and decreased lung function at certain phases of the cycle, and specifically experience asthma issues right before and during their period. Those with MLA are more likely to have dysmenorrhea (painful periods), PMS, shorter cycles, and longer bleeding. Hello, hormonal influence. I am eagerly anticipating more research on this.
If you are female and have asthma, have you ever been informed about this by a clinician? Please reply back to this newsletter, if so or if not, as I’d love to hear how this is playing out in doctor’s offices.
Startups: Origin and the opportune, overlooked pelvic floor
Through speaking with women about vaginal issues in my work with Evvy, pelvic floor therapy has become a regular conversation topic. I’m not surprised that most women I talk to haven’t heard of it, more disappointed in our society because it’s an underutilized form of physical therapy.
There are so many circumstances where pelvic floor PT would be useful that I’d claim everyone with a female pelvis could benefit from it at some point in their lives. Examples of this include: pregnancy, menopause, painful sex, incontinence (not being able to hold your pee) hip or back pain/injury, the list goes on.
I’m also bothered by the fact that the pelvic floor is generally a neglected muscle group. Imagine if we just ignored our biceps or our core? The pelvic floor is just as, if not more, important to overall health and fitness, but often overlooked because of its taboo nature.
Origin is a FemTech startup tackling this oversight via in-person and virtual services. Their mission is to normalize pelvic floor therapy and make it accessible and affordable. While there is a huge opportunity for making in-person treatments available more broadly - a need they are certainly filling - their model has also proven that there is value in providing information via video call as well, even without an in-person visit. There is a lot that those of us with female pelvises do not know, so filling in that knowledge gap is a means of empowering individuals who are suffering. They currently operate in California, New York, and Texas, with brick-and-mortar locations in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Given all the white space in opportunities focused on the pelvic floor, I am excited to see how Origin grows from here, as well as am eagerly anticipating what other startups pop up in this field. Know of another pelvic floor PT-based startup? Please shoot me a message!
Further reading:
Origin wants to make accessible physical therapy women’s new normal, TechCrunch
Hybrid care women’s health platform origin announces seed funding and nationwide expansion in the U.S., Femtech Insider
The Origin Blog, Origin
Social Change: From Britney to book launches
A lot happened to advance female health rights in June. Here’s the round up:
Why unwell women have gone misdiagnosed for centuries, The New York Times
If you want a synopsis on how medical care is not built for women and continues to fail them, this book review is the Spark Notes. It’s equal parts easy-to-read and maddening. Unwell Women immediately jumped the queue in my “next to read” list. Additional reviews can be found in The Economist, The Washington Post, and The Guardian while an excerpt is available in The Wall Street Journal (seriously, who runs PR for this author??).
The history of coercion dressed up as care is a long one, Vogue
This piece details the significance of Britney Spears' testimony in the larger picture of women’s health. I never thought I’d see “Britney Spears” and “eugenics” in the same sentence, but this article makes a harrowing case for the impact of this legal decision. (Coincidentally, it is written by the author of the book mentioned above!)
Too few women get to invent, that’s a problem for women’s health, The Conversation
This article provides a recap of a recent study that reveals the extent and consequences of gender bias in medical inventions. The statistics are significant, the consequences are greater, and I’m now even more inspired to support women who are inventing.
The pill helped start the sexual revolution. What will Phexxi do?, The New York Times
While my personal opinions on Phexxi are still forming, I can get behind the fact that they ask interviewees to name prominent feminists. This is a fascinating founder story and overview of company culture.
A few more for good measure: