Over the past few weeks, public controversy over the Silicon Valley-based telemedicine company Hers (a spin-off from Hims) for campaigns against women has increased.
Criticism has been directed at the simplicity with which the company appears to advertise its prescription fibanserin *, also known as Addyi, to help women "increase their libido". Addyi is an antidepressant and acts directly on a woman's brain unlike Viagra which increases blood circulation in the genital area. In addition, it has been proven to be only marginally effective or useful.
First, this poses an ethical conundrum: Should a low-effectiveness antidepressant for the condition be prescribed without strict medical assessment and follow-up of the patient's mental health?
Second, a significant portion of the medical and wellness community expressed frustration with the ongoing oversimplification of female sexuality, highlighting that patients diagnosed with hypoactive sexual disorder (SHDD) often experience more complex environmental or environmental factors, such as emotional dysfunctions in the relationship. sexual trauma, conflicting beliefs about sexuality, other hormonal imbalances and stress, among many others.
While pharma startups are finding ways to make access to pills more convenient and attractive for millennials (and for Venture Captitalists), a greener startup sector is getting great traction that sells plant-based solutions for sexual healing.
The business of cannabis-based sexual wellness products is ongoing
Several wellness companies view cannabidiol, or CBD — the non-psychoactive ingredient in the marijuana plant — as the heart of sexual wellness products that improve the symptoms of the female sexual experience. From helping vaginal dryness or pelvic inflammatory disease to the awakening of erotic feelings, CBD-based products capture a forward-thinking female audience with high acquisition power.
The relationship between cannabis and women's sexual and health is nothing new. Before widespread prohibition in the last century, doctors around the world recommended combinations of cannabis with other herbs for a wide variety of gynecological conditions, from aphrodisiacs for libido to menstrual cramps, pain during sex and even difficult labor.
Beatrice Espada, founder and CEO of The Honey Pot, a plant-based feminine hygiene company, says this cannabis-based wellness industry is projected to reach $ 2022 billion by 38. The Honey Pot has just introduced a body balm containing hemp seed oil to help with menstrual cramps and pain and discomfort in the pelvic area.
More people are finally working on natural wellness. We see commercials every day on antidepressants with side effects like suicidal thoughts like it's normal. People are starting to wake up and really pay attention to those things! It's wonderful to be part of this revolution and lead one of the companies that are a new way to create feminine care
says Espada.
Wake up: go for plant-based solutions
In this sense, Cyo Ray Nystrom, CEO and co-founder of Quim, a self-care line for people with vaginas (and those without vaginas who love them) adds: “Prescribing drugs like Addyi as a“ cure ”for people who struggle their sex life, sexual preferences and other things are clearly not optimal. We put a bandaid on 'the problem' and present it in a good brand package. Let's encourage people to get in touch with themselves and their bodies and see what's really going on instead. “
At Quim, Nystrom says they want to offer education and products that can provide relief, pleasure and intimacy. They are not healing in any way, but are a gentle, plant-based alternative to relatively toxic regular products.
The darling of the Wellness branch knows no regulation
Ohne co-founder Nikki Michelsen emphasizes that CBD is the current darling of the wellness industry - and with that comes a massive increase in the number of brands introducing CBD-related products. The problem is, Michelsen says, “That this comes with a massive lack of regulation in the industry, which means that consumers are not getting the information they need to make informed choices about what to buy, such as the type of CBD. the quality, the ingredients it is mixed with. “We need more education about the types, uses and benefits of CBD. It is crucial for brands introducing CBD products to the market to be transparent about how they are made and how they work.
As more people choose plant-based options, it is imperative that the medical community be involved in evaluating standards. In the largest VBI survey to date, published in Forbes Magazine, 80% of participants claim it is a "highly effective" or "highly effective" treatment.
Almost half stated that they will no longer take prescription over-the-counter pain medications, including opioids and ibuprofen. “Over-dimensioning a sexual health solution through a pill lacks an understanding of the many factors that influence a woman's desire. We have long considered health to be one-dimensional, but cannabis helps to create a progressive, open conversation about new and better ways to view health and wellness from a holistic perspective, ”said Joie Meffert, founding partner of Apothecanna, an all-natural beauty- and wellness line with cannabis supercharges.
Intimate wellness for women still largely overlooked
Amid the ongoing uproar over women's health problems that are still largely overlooked by the healthcare system, particularly when it comes to intimate and sexual health, these companies have achieved success by offering alternative solutions that women can combine with traditional treatments - or not. Most agree that pharmaceuticals have their role, time and place. It's all a matter of training and access.
“We would never shame anyone for the type of treatment they want to use (pharmaceutical drugs versus natural alternatives) because we believe women are the most important in determining what's best. On the contrary, we offer access to a natural product that can be therapeutic in various ways, ”Michelsen concludes.
The question is high and clear. The question remains as to whether the medical community, as well as restrictive regulations, will respond by working with producers and innovative companies to find the best way to spread and regulate plant-based remedies adapted to the needs of each person.
Read the full article on Forbes (EN, source)
