“There is no more powerful force in the universe
than a menopausal woman with zest.” – Margaret Mead
Margaret Mead was on to something when she correlated power and menopausal women: Women in in the transition and postmenopause absolutely have zest! And for those who want more of it or are struggling to find their zest, we at Gennev are building a platform to help them get there.
Our mission is to empower every woman to take control of her health in menopause, so we’re launching the first-of-its-kind online menopause clinic at gennev.com. It’s a one-stop-shop to access the menopause practitioners or experts, menopause products, education, and community women need to be well and healthy in midlife, menopause, and beyond.
Meeting the needs of the modern menopausal woman
The profile of the modern menopausal woman is not what we imagined in our mothers’ generation.
Today’s 40- and 50-year-old woman is at the height of her career or preparing to hand the torch to those she’s mentored. She has more autonomy, financial independence, authority, and opportunities than women of previous generations. She’s tech-savvy, unembarrassed about her age or menopausal status, and she’s demanding the respect she deserves.
Unfortunately, the hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, emotional issues, weight gain, fatigue, and more of menopause can make it difficult for her to feel up to her potential.
We talked to modern women in menopause about what they truly need to feel their best and what they’re missing. Here’s what they told us – and how Gennev is answering their call.
ONE: Access to menopause specialists
Already, many areas of the United States are experiencing a shortage of ob/gyns. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), by 2020, the US will be short nearly 9,000 ob/gyns. By 2050, that number could be 22,000.
Learn more about how Gennev is helping fill the care gap
by listening to our recent podcast with ob/gyn Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su.
Less than 7 percent of women get the help they need to understand and manage their menopause symptoms. There are 37 million women in menopause in the US, and an estimated 6,000 more joining those ranks every day. That’s a lot of women who aren’t getting adequate, affordable care for the symptoms that disrupt their lives.
Find us specialists, women tell us: we want a doctor who is knowledgeable about menopause problems and solutions, who listens and respects patients, and who is truly passionate about women’s wellness.
In January 2019, Gennev launched its online telehealth to extend the reach of menopause specialists and give more women more affordable and better options. Women will be able to speak with physicians and nurse practitioners from the comfort and privacy of their own homes, via video chat or text.
We’re not exaggerating when we say “specialists.” Our practitioners are chosen for their proven track record treating women in midlife and menopause. Many are certified by the North American Menopause Society, so patients know they’re receiving the highest level of care.
“Clinicians who have earned the credential of NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP)
have demonstrated their extra knowledge and specialized interest in menopause,
allowing them to provide optimal care to the women they serve.”
JoAnn Pinkerton, MD, NCMP, NAMS Executive Director
Our specialists can talk about the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy, remedies for better sleep and better sex, and lifestyle choices that can reduce or relieve many menopause symptoms.
Just as importantly, they can also help women make choices now to protect their health in the future. Health issues aren’t “over” when the hot flashes finally subside: many women face osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, or dementia, especially if they have personal or familial risk factors. Our specialists can help women get or stay on the right track to safeguard their vibrant future.
At the bottom of this blog, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on accessing our telehealth system.
“As a cardiologist, I’m excited to reach women who are just beginning
their perimenopause/menopause journey, because that’s when we have the best opportunity
to intervene in a powerful way to protect their heart health.”
Dr. Sarah Speck, cardiologist, internist, and medical director of the
cardiac wellness and rehabilitation programs at the
Swedish Heart and Vascular Institute in Seattle, Gennev Advisory Board Member
TWO: Access to products for symptom relief
Women already trust and love Gennev’s own line of lubricants, moisturizers, and cleansers. Now we’re expanding our shop to include carefully curated partner products that have shown real benefits for women in menopause. Keep an eye on our marketplace for more. And we love recommendations from you, so if there’s a product you love, please share it with us at info@gennev.com!
THREE: Access to information that is trustworthy
Information about menopause, hormones, symptoms, etc. is out there, but it can be clinical or boilerplate to the point that it’s just not trustworthy. At Gennev, we’re continuing to build our library of podcasts, blogs, videos, and more – all informed and vetted by health care professionals.
Our Director of Health, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su, MD and 20-year ob/gyn, has developed a Menopause Assessment tool that provides a personalized health profile of where you’re at in the journey as well as recommended reading, podcasts, and products tailored to the symptoms you’re experiencing.
We’ve been fortunate to build relationships with some of the foremost thinkers, researchers, and practitioners in women’s health, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share their expertise with you.
“Perimenopause is a window of opportunity to intervene in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
Women need to know they are disproportionately at risk for Alzheimer's and that
taking action now in their late 30s and 40s as hormones start to change, is key to prevention.”
Dr. Lisa Mosconi, PhD, Director of Weill Cornell Women's Brain Initiative,
Associate Director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic, author of
Brain Food: the Surprising Science of Eating for Cognitive Power, Gennev Advisory Board Member
FOUR: Access to community
Let’s be honest: no one truly understands your experience better than someone going through it with you. And sometimes, those are the people you most want to commiserate, rant, laugh, and swap ideas with.
At Gennev, we’ve built a robust and growing community of women who are supporting each other through what can often be a pretty tough time. In our closed, women-only Facebook group, on our open-to-all forums, and at in-person events, we give you access to what may be the greatest gift of all – each other. And you’ll often find menopause specialists chiming in on these conversations, giving you even more access to their expertise.
You’ll find products, information, and community on Gennev’s site right now: you can browse our shop (be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for information on special deals), check out our blogs and podcasts, join our Facebook group or register to gain access to our community forums. All of these resources are free to you.
If you’re ready to speak with a menopause-specialist health practitioner, here’s how that works:
Welcome to Gennev’s telehealth
In order to access our telehealth, you’ll need to sign up with Gennev. This log in will also get you access to members-only resources, such as our community forums. To sign up, go to gennev.com and click the “Sign up” button in the upper right.
To schedule your appointment, go to the “Book appointment” page.
First, you’ll have the opportunity to choose an appointment with the practitioner in your state. If your state is not yet on Gennev's telehealth platform, you’ll be added to a waiting list. But don’t worry – more states will be coming online throughout 2019.
Second, you’ll be asked to fill out a fairly comprehensive health history form that prepares the practitioner for her appointment with you. This form is kept confidential and is HIPAA compliant because your privacy and safety are our highest priorities.
Third, you’ll be directed to a site to make your payment. Once payment is complete and the documentation is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your appointment date and time, a download for your calendar, and a link to connect with your practitioner.
Finally, you’ll have your appointment, either via video or text, as you prefer. Directly after your appointment, you’ll have the opportunity to review the experience and let us know what you loved and what could be improved.
Within a few days of your appointment, you’ll receive a “recap” email detailing your discussion and any suggestions your specialist made to help you manage your health.
Let’s do this
The average life expectancy for women in the US is around 81. If you reach full menopause at the average age of 51, that’s thirty years of living left to do. You want to make those years as happy, rich, vibrant, and healthy as you can, and we want to help.
At Gennev, we believe every woman deserves to feel her best, no matter her age. Every woman deserves appropriate, effective, affordable care, no matter where she lives.
Learn more about the coming ob/gyn shortage, what it means for women, and how Gennev is making strides to close the health care gap.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on telehealth, the ob/gyn shortage, and care for women's health generally – please share with us in the comments below, in our community forums, on our Facebook page, or in Midlife & Menopause Solutions, our closed Facebook group.
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