Menopause—and women’s health care in general—is at the forefront. As we learn more about the female anatomy, the more we realize just how little we know about our own bodies. But brands are aiming to change that and help women who are entering this stage in their life.
Menopause—as Gunvor Ekman Ordeberg, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN and co-founder of DeoDoc Intimate Skincare, defines it— is the natural biological process that signifies the end of the menstrual cycle in women. It usually occurs between the ages 45 to 55 and is officially diagnosed after one experiences 12 consecutive months with no periods. This, Dr. Ordeberg explains, is due to a natural decline of hormonal function (a.k.a. a reduction of estrogen) of the ovaries.
Then there’s the perimenopause stage, which she says is marked by fluctuating hormone levels and the period after menopause, which is called postmenopause. According to studies, over 1.3 million women become menopausal each year in the U.S. About 75% of menopausal women experience hot flashes, night sweats, and migraines, while about 60% experience a decrease in their sex drive and vaginal dryness. 45% of women experience irritability, anxiety and even depression. Even knowing of all this, little has been done to address these symptoms.
“As doctors, we heard directly from our patients that they were dissatisfied with existing products for vaginal and vulvar dryness during perimenopause and menopause,” says Hedieh Asadi, MD, a urologist and co-founder of DeoDoc Intimate Skincare. “Since these concerns are very common during this stage of life, we decided to create products based on the feedback from our patients.” And they’re not alone in that endeavor.
Misconceptions
The misconceptions about menopause are many. Too many. Because of the lack of proper education to the masses on the topic, many are left confused on what going through menopause actually means. “Many women know that menopause is associated with hot flashes and the end of their menstruation. However, symptoms such as depression, mood changes, vaginal dryness, vaginal irritation, are caused by menopause and many women are surprised by this,” says Dr. Ordeberg. “Also many women are ashamed to discuss the problems that arise from the vaginal area.”
“Menopause can be really hard physically and mentally on a lot of women,” adds Alicia Robbins, MD, board-certified OB-GYN. “Just because it’s natural or inevitable, [it] shouldn’t mean women have to suffer. Women are living a lot longer than before, yet we tend to live more years in poor quality health [that is] dependent on others. “
The most common misconception about menopause, she says, is that the side effects shouldn’t be taken seriously. Many women are told that these symptoms are part of a “natural phase of life” and to “deal with it naturally.” This can then lead to a misdiagnosis and not treating the right issue before it grows into a more serious problem.
“I really wish there was just more general awareness period,” says Karen Eilber, MD,board-certified urologist and member of the PlusOne Wellness Collective. “Women are blindsided by the abrupt changes they experience (brain fog, loss of libido, painful sex, anxiety, joint pains, etc). Because of lack of awareness, women go to specialists for their individual symptoms, i.e. an orthopedist for joint pains, because she isn’t aware that this could be a symptom of menopause. So when all tests are negative, she is reassured that there isn’t an actual problem with the joint but she still has the pain.”
Menopause Brands That Actually Work
But there are options for women to help them live comfortably while going through this (more on that later). “More brands understand that menopausal women are a strong buying group—they have money to spend,” says Dr. Asadi. “But also through social media there is more awareness about menopause and the taboos around it are slowly being broken.”
She along with Dr. Ordeberg created DeoDoc as a hormone-free solution to ease vaginal and vulvar dryness. Some hero products include the Meno Care Oil Wash, a hydrating oil wash that cleanses without stripping the vulva’s natural microbiome, and the Meno Care Hydrating Balm, a rich and creamy balm that hydrates dry vulva skin.
“I think menopause focused brands are great for the most part because they are normalizing the experience and conversation for women,” says Dr. Robbins. “However, because it can be very hard for women to find accurate menopause information and providers, it’s also a time when women are vulnerable and women can be taken advantage of with products and services that don’t actually work.” For that reason she encourages women to look to digital menopause platforms that will help educate them and help them find the right resources. Midi Health, My Alloy, and Elektra Health are some of the ones she recommends and if you’re looking for a certified practitioner who specializes in menopause, she says you can check The Menopause Society.
“The menopause-focused brands that get it right about menopause are ‘real’ in their messaging which makes women feel heard,” adds Dr. Eilber. “This is especially important because of the gaslighting so many women experience. The brain fog, low sex drive, and not feeling yourself aren’t going to get better with just a glass of wine.”
She recommends looking for brands that offer thorough FAQs on their website and/or online blogs, all of which should be created or reviewed by health care professionals, about menopause. As a member of sexual wellness brand PlusOne, she says she chose to join its wellness collective because plusOne wants to remove the stigma surrounding menopause and sexual health. It also listens to the medical professionals they collaborate with, prioritizing menopause education and the science of menopause.
Another brand she’s a fan of is Naomi Watts’ wellness brand Stripes, as Dr. Eilber praises Watt’s for using her celebrity to bring awareness to the subject. “I admire that she was one of the celebrities to discuss aging and menopause,” she says. “And the product ingredients are clean. For vaginal dryness, she recommends Revaree by Bonafide, which she says is great for women who don’t want to use vaginal estrogen. While not a brand per se, Dr. Robbins advocates for hormone therapy (HT). “[It] can improve quality of life and prevent disease so that women not only live longer, but they live those years in good health [as well],” she says.
Final Verdict
It can still be overwhelming trying to navigate the growing menopause beauty space. When in doubt, all experts agree that you should always consult with your doctor for when you’re feeling your body change or if you have any questions. “Do not hesitate to talk about it with your doctor if you are experiencing any difficulties,” says Dr. Ordeberg. “There is a lot of great medication available that can improve your everyday life.”
“Whether it’s your finances or your health, you will always be your best advocate,” adds Dr. Eilber. “Gather as much information as possible (but always consider the source), see a health care provider who specializes in menopausal management (a great resource to find a provider is The Menopause Society, menopause.org), and be prepared with a list of questions and concerns to make the most out of a consultation with a menopause specialist.”
