Healthcare
From Classroom to Clinic, How HerMD is Closing the Menopause Gap in Medicine
For too long, women’s healthcare has fallen short—shaped by stigma, overlooked by research, and limited by a system that often focuses only on fertility while neglecting a significant portion of a woman’s constant evolution. With women today spending 40% of their lives in postmenopause, the lack of medical training and resources dedicated to this…
Key takeaways
Women spend approximately 40% of their lives in postmenopause, yet medical training and resources in this area remain severely lacking.
HerMD is actively working to close the menopause care gap by improving clinician education and expanding specialized women's health services.
The broader women's healthcare system has historically been shaped by stigma and a narrow focus on reproductive and fertility care, leaving midlife and post-reproductive health underserved.
For too long, women’s healthcare has fallen short—shaped by stigma, overlooked by research, and limited by a system that often focuses only on fertility while neglecting a significant portion of a woman’s constant evolution. With women today spending 40% of their lives in postmenopause, the lack of medical training and resources dedicated to this stage leaves millions underserved in areas like sexual wellness, longevity, and preventative care. Now, new voices and innovations are reshaping the field: femtech is rising, funding is accelerating, and advocates like Dr. Somi Javaid are leading a movement to redefine what comprehensive women’s health really means.
So what would it take to build a system of care that empowers women across all stages of life—not just reproduction—and how do we dismantle the taboos still tied to sexual health and menopause?
In the latest episode of The Purpose Pivot, host Melissa Gonzalez speaks with Dr. Somi Javaid, board-certified OB-GYN and founder of HerMD. Together, they unpack the structural challenges women face in healthcare, explore the emerging science of hormones, sexual wellness, and longevity, and discuss what it means to embrace vulnerability as a strength in both medicine and everyday life.
In this episode, you’ll learn about…
- Redefining Care Beyond Reproduction: Why most medical training neglects perimenopause and menopause, and how HerMD is addressing this gap.
- Sexual Wellness as a Vital Sign: How libido, arousal, and satisfaction impact confidence, relationships, workplace performance, and overall health.
- Breaking Taboos and Scaling Solutions: From founding HerMD with a small business loan to raising $40 million, Dr. Javaid shares her journey of challenging industry norms and building a movement.
Dr. Somi Javaid, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified OB-GYN and the founder and Chief Medical Officer of HerMD, where she has led innovations in sexual health, menopause care, and patient-centered women’s healthcare for over a decade. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, she has been recognized as a thought leader in women’s health, raising significant venture funding to expand HerMD and serving as a Key Opinion Leader for major pharmaceutical companies. She is also a frequent speaker, educator, and clinical trial investigator, dedicated to closing the gender gap in healthcare through advocacy, education, and innovation.
Article written by MarketScale.
About the author
Industry-recognized influencer, leader, and storyteller in Retail. Lead Retail Industry Contributor at MarketScale. Principal at MG2 Design. Host of "Retail Refined" Podcast. As a global brand and retail experience disruptor, Melissa possess strong proficiency in consumer insights, experiential design, retail technology integration, and brand innovation. During her career, she have created powerful visual narratives through physical spaces, imprinting complex concepts and ideas to consumers in genuine, tactile, and persuasive manners. She have also served as a consumer engagement trendsetter, “pop-up” industry pioneer, and entrepreneur. Melissa founded and launched a consumer experiential design firm that achieved a successful exit, driving initial client wins, monetization, and exponential revenue growth. </br> </br> </br> "Melissa brings both her industry knowledge and an approachable and educational point of view to her interviewing skills. With an authentic style, she facilitates an engaging dialogue, one where listeners can walk away from with tangible insights and thought provokers!" </br> </br> <b>-Jeffrey Roseman, Vice Chairman of Retail at Newmark</b> </br> </br> </br> "What sets Melissa apart is her ability to cut through the noise and provide actionable insights. Whether you’re a store owner looking to revamp your space or a tech enthusiast curious about the next big thing in retail, you’ll find tangible ideas to build on. From seasoned designers to pioneering tech gurus - ensuring that listeners are always engaged with diverse and forward-thinking perspectives. Retail Refined doesn’t just skim the surface; it dives deep into topics that matter. If staying ahead of the retail curve is important to you, start here." </br> </br> <b>-Nate Frazier, Chief Operating Officer of GNC</b>
