Wingwomen Pivots: Emerges with New Reproductive Health Literacy Programs, Fertility Awareness Curriculum, and Offerings for Health Coaching
Femtech Company Wingwomen Emerges with Reproductive Health Literacy Programs and Health Coaching Offerings for PCOS, Endometriosis, Hashimoto’s, Sickle Cell Disease, Diabetes, Preeclampsia and Perimenopause.
The Wingwomen Inc. a California-based women’s health company announced it’s pivot beyond platform peer support today, towards fertility-focused reproductive health literacy programs and health coaching. The new programs feature curriculum for preconception and postnatal health for women including those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis, Hashimoto’s, Diabetes, Preeclampsia, Advanced Maternal Age, Sickle Cell Disease, in addition to a program for Perimenopause. The Startup Health portfolio company plans to improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes amongst women who may face additional challenges to conception due to preexisting health conditions. Their programs aggregate hard-to-find evidence-based information obtained from their medical advisory board to use for the education of participants through their classes.
These offerings come less than one year after the historic overturning of Roe v Wade, at a time when access to reproductive health care and access to reproductive health literacy programs have become limited. The newly launched website hosts a menu of virtual reproductive health literacy programs which also combine group education, with 1:1 health coaching and interactive exercises for participants.
In the United States, more than 18 million women face issues like infertility, miscarriage, and preterm birth. Some of these difficulties are incredibly prevalent: about 10–15% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage in women less than age 35; the prevalence of infertility is one in eight women; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of female infertility, affecting 8% to 13% (as many as 5 million) of US women of reproductive age, and endometriosis, is estimated to impact 10% of women (190 million) globally. These conditions are far more prevalent than the media and news cycles portray. But despite these statistics and the clear need for programs that would support healthier reproductive outcomes, women enduring one or several of these issues often find themselves alone.
“Wingwoman is on a mission to support positive health outcomes from preconception to perimenopause for Gen Z and Millennial women,” said Adonica Shaw, Wingwomen Founder & CEO. “ After being diagnosed with Preeclampsia in 2017, I had no idea what steps I needed to take to reestablish my health, and I didn’t understand medical terminology. After experiencing the frustration women have around understanding their reproductive health firsthand, I wanted to create something that would make this process easier for other women and their families. Our team believes that by encouraging reproductive health literacy, we can contribute to healthier conception and pregnancy outcomes in the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods to benefit the next generation of mothers.
“Reproductive health disorders in women have long remained in the shadows of research and advocacy,” said Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE, Wingwomen medical board member. “Funding for vital medical studies and education are dramatically deficient. The numbers of women affected by these disorders is staggering and, consequently, results in impaired quality of life and negative effects on the economy from missed days of work. A woman facing infertility has been shown to have an equivalent emotional impact as being diagnosed with cancer or other major medical disorders. By understanding and gaining knowledge on managing their disease, women become empowered to potentially improve their physical and mental health. I applaud Wingwomen for their outreach, compassion, and dedication toward supporting women affected by reproductive health issues with their goal of a new “ERA” (education, research, and advocacy).”
“Ameliorating poor health outcomes requires a trio of interventions: utilization of patient educational platforms that are easily navigated, interaction with health care teams that are culturally competent, and practice cultural humility,” said Dr. Linda D. Bradley, Wingwomen medical board member. “The mission and vision of Wingwomen support women throughout their reproductive life cycle.”
Research shows that low health literacy in women hoping to conceive and pregnant women, impacts their ability to find, understand, navigate, and apply health information before, during, and after pregnancy, and may be associated with maternal obesity, prolonged infertility, and complications during pregnancy and birth for both mother and child. Through their programs, they hope to play an important role in the retention of reproductive knowledge amongst Gen Z and Millennial women and impact positive behaviors and outcomes.
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