Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Digital musculoskeletal care company Hinge Health and virtual care specialist Midi Health are teaming up to combine Hinge’s movement-based support with Midi's virtual care clinic to support women experiencing menopausal symptoms. California-based Midi Health offers a network of nurse practitioners overseen by physicians and researchers to women 40 years and above going through perimenopause and menopause. It also provides interventions from lifestyle coaching to prescription medication. Hinge Health provides individuals with musculoskeletal conditions access to health coaches, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and technological resources, such as surgery decision support. The partners will provide a holistic approach to help women manage menopause and address musculoskeletal symptoms that many women face during menopause, such as joint and muscle pain. Hinge members who are in-network with Midi will gain access to personalized menopause treatment plans, including consultations with prescribing clinicians specializing in menopause. Hinge will also direct members to Midi’s resources, which offer a spectrum of menopause care options. A recent review from the University of Central Florida School of Medicine underscores the need for increased awareness and treatment of these symptoms, introducing the term “musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause” to highlight their significance. "Having experienced Midi Health firsthand as a patient, I’m proud to bring their outstanding virtual care to our Hinge Health members," Arielle Slam, principal product manager for women’s health at Hinge Health, told MobiHealthNews. Slam said that by combining Hinge’s advanced musculoskeletal care and movement therapy with Midi’s national network of menopause specialists, women can receive comprehensive menopause care anywhere without delay. Midi CEO and cofounder Joanna Strober told MobiHealthNews that the partnership with Hinge will extend the scope of treatment they provide to patients going through menopause and experiencing midlife joint, muscular or pelvic pain. "We share a belief in providing holistic and personalized care according to a woman’s specific needs, whether that be movement-based therapies from Hinge or prescription and/or hormone therapy through Midi clinicians or all of these," Strober said. THE LARGER TREND Midi Health secured $60 million in a Series B funding round in April, bringing its total raise to $100 million. The company scored $25 million in a Series A round led by GV (Google Ventures) less than a year before and $14 million in seed investment in 2022. Last year, the company announced a partnership with Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System to provide the health system's patients with access to Midi Health's services by going directly to the company's website or through a referral by a Hermann Health provider. In March, the California-based company teamed up with Neurotrack, a digital cognitive assessment company, to help women determine whether brain fog symptoms are indicative of menopause or signs of severe cognitive impairment such as early dementia. Hinge, founded in 2015, partnered with employee and government benefits organization Sun Life in July to offer Sun Life members access to its musculoskeletal offerings, including its clinicians, programs and resources, and its FDA-cleared wearable device Enso that helps manage pain. Last year, Hinge launched a physical therapy house call service, which started in Chicago, designed to complement its digital care offerings, and in 2022, it launched a women's pelvic health program. Other players in the digital musculoskeletal care and physical therapy space include Sword Health, which offers a female pelvic pain product called Bloom, and Renovia, which markets a digital therapeutic to treat urinary incontinence by strengthening the pelvic floor.

SAN FRANCISCO--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Hinge Health and Midi Health announced a partnership today to address the significant healthcare gap for women experiencing menopause. This collaboration combines Hinge Health’s expertise in movement-based menopause support with Midi Health’s virtual care clinic, catering to women navigating the wide range of symptoms brought on by midlife hormonal changes. For women who experience musculoskeletal and pelvic health issues, the decline in estrogen during menopause can not only worsen existing symptoms but also trigger joint, muscle, and pelvic health issues, and worsen existing conditions. Seventy-one percent of individuals going through menopause experience joint and muscle pain , but these musculoskeletal (MSK) symptoms are frequently overlooked and commonly untreated by conventional medical care. A new review from the University of Central Florida School of Medicine highlights the need for greater focus on the array of MSK symptoms associated with menopause and coins a new term to elevate the discussion around them: musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause . “Hinge Health announced the addition of menopause support to our program earlier this year because movement-based support effectively reduces menopause-related pain and discomfort,” said Arielle Slam, Principal Product Manager, Women’s Health, Hinge Health. “We’re partnering with Midi Health to bring our members additional evidence-based options, including hormonal and non-hormonal prescription medications. This partnership will create a wraparound care experience for women with a wide range of menopause symptoms, including the often-overlooked musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause.” "Partnering with Hinge Health allows us to extend our reach and provide comprehensive, personalized care to even more women going through menopause," said Midi Health CEO and Co-founder Joanna Strober. "By combining our strengths, we can ensure that women receive the personalized, holistic support they need, whether that’s movement-based therapies or prescription treatments such as hormone therapy, or both." If they are in-network with Midi Health, Hinge Health members receiving menopause support will benefit from access to Midi Health's personalized menopause treatment protocols, which include visits with prescribing clinicians who have deep expertise in menopause care. Hinge Health care teams will also highlight Midi Health access where clinically appropriate, ensuring members are aware of the full spectrum of available menopause care options. About Hinge Health Hinge Health is moving people beyond pain by transforming the way it is treated and prevented. We connect people, digitally and in-person, with expert clinical care. Using advanced technology and AI, a team of clinical experts guides people through personalized care directly from their phone. It is proven to reduce pain by 68%, prevent 42% of new opioid prescriptions, and avoid more than half of joint replacement surgeries. Available to 18M people, Hinge Health is trusted by leading health plans and employers, including Land O’Lakes, L.L. Bean, Salesforce, Self-Insured Schools of California, Southern Company, US Foods, and Verizon. Learn more about how we are inspiring people to improve their health through the power of movement http://www.hingehealth.com . About Midi Health Midi Health is the leading national virtual care clinic focused on women in midlife. Our treatment protocols are designed by world-class experts in perimenopause, menopause, and other midlife concerns, and delivered by a team of compassionate clinicians highly trained in women’s health. Midi patients receive personalized care plans based on their unique symptoms and health history. Solutions include hormonal and non-hormonal medications, supplements, lifestyle coaching, and vital preventative health guidance. All services are covered by insurance, and accessible through telehealth visits. With a patient satisfaction score of 95 percent, Midi has helped more than 100,000 women reach their full potential in midlife. To learn more, visit www.joinmidi.com .

ORLANDO, Fla., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Half the world's population will experience menopause accounting for 47 million women entering the menopause transition annually. A staggering 80% of women in the menopause transition will experience the life altering symptoms of the little known Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause including total body pain and frozen shoulder. Continue Reading A landmark study has officially established the nomenclature for the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause (MSM), thanks to the pioneering research of Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic sports surgeon, researcher, longevity doctor and Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Central Florida School of Medicine (UCF SOM). "Clearly, this is an issue that many women experience but is not adequately acknowledged or addressed within the medical establishment," stated Dr Wright. Post this Dr. Wright coined the term "Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause" (MSM) after observing numerous post-menopausal women suffering from orthopedic issues, such as frozen shoulder. Her extensive research has unveiled that a staggering 80% of post-menopausal women endure life-altering musculoskeletal symptoms, with 25% of these women being severely debilitated by them. Despite the prevalence, these symptoms often go unrecognized or misdiagnosed by healthcare providers, leaving many women to suffer in silence. The syndrome encompasses a range of debilitating symptoms, including: Arthralgia (total body pain) Inflammation (e.g., frozen shoulder) Loss of muscle mass Loss of bone density Fat redistribution Rapid increase in arthritis The study highlights the rapid loss of estrogen during perimenopause and menopause as the root cause of MSM. Alarmingly, 40% of women seeking medical care for these symptoms find no structural problems, leading to feelings of being dismissed or misunderstood by clinicians. Dr. Wright's research underscores the urgency of acknowledging MSM in the medical community. Not only is MSM treatable, but it is also preventable through early intervention, lifestyle modifications, and comprehensive knowledge. Without proper treatment, MSM significantly contributes to frailty and increased mortality in women. LINK to the STUDY: Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause The publication of this groundbreaking study coincides with an article in Menopause, which investigates young women with premature menopause experiencing similar symptoms. This further establishes that these musculoskeletal changes are directly linked to hormonal deprivation rather than age. "Clearly, this is an issue that many women experience but is not adequately acknowledged or addressed within the medical establishment," stated Dr Wright. "This research offers a new understanding, hope and nomenclature for clinicians and for women suffering from these symptoms." Dr. Vonda Wright and her team continue to advocate for increased awareness, early prevention, and effective treatment strategies to combat MSM, aiming to improve the quality of life for millions of women worldwide. Dr. Wright is a practicing double boarded Orthopaedic Sports Surgeon, Author, Speaker, Researcher and Innovator serving as a key opinion leader at the intersection of Longevity | Women's Health | Performance. Widely recognized for her thought leadership, Dr. Wright is a frequent media and conference expert. Her innovative science-based approach is changing the lives of millions in mid-life. In addition to treating active people and athletes of all ages and skill levels, she is a clinical champion for ideators in the biotech, sports innovation and longevity environments to develop innovation pipelines. She works to clarify and amplify great ideas through a deep clinical lens while applying entrepreneurial and venture principles to understand, evaluate and stimulate innovation. In addition to her elite orthopaedic practice, her current work includes harnessing the new science of aging to create health optimized longevity plans for high capacity individuals via her "Precision Longevity Experience" and bespoke retreats for women in midlife. An empathetic and dynamic communicator, Dr. Wright's online community spans more than 1.5 million people. Dr. Wright practices in Lake Nona, Florida, and is the founder and CEO of Precision Longevity. For more information, please contact: Dr Vonda Wright MD, MS [email protected] 407-232-2334 @DrVondaWright SOURCE Dr. Vonda Wright