Large numbers of people are affected by infertility in their lifetime. According to a new report published today by the World Health Organization, around 17.5% of the adult population – roughly 1 in 6 worldwide – experience infertility, showing the urgent need to increase access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those in need.

The new estimates show limited variation in the prevalence of infertility between regions. The rates are comparable for high-, middle- and low-income countries, indicating that this is a major health challenge globally. Lifetime prevalence was 17.8% in high-income countries and 16.5% in low- and middle-income countries.

Joining this episode to share their mission to solve some of the problems couples are facing, is the dynamic duo of Andreia Trigo (CEO) and husband Frank Khan Sullivan (CTO) of Enhanced Fertility. Their platform is bringing a new level of data-driven accessibility to patients from the comfort of their homes. Andreia’s shares how current inadequate systems impacted her own fertility journey, an emotional story that sets the stage for the collaborative program they are providing to deliver better outcomes for couples across the globe.

Founders’ stories are often intertwined with personal knowledge of the problem they are looking to solve. From the get-go learning about Andreia’s own experiences, this discussion offers a range of insights into the trials and tribulations that couples are facing through their fertility journeys. Frank shares how their North Star is referred to as Net Baby Score, a measured commitment to help millions of people procreate their families, an incredible mission that is sure to leave you informed and inspired.

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women and the most common cancer overall. Treatment often starts with a surgery known as a lumpectomy to remove the cancer, but in a high % of cases, patients may undergo multiple re-excisions after their procedure in an attempt to obtain clear margins and avoid mastectomy.

In this episode, CEO of Dilon Technologies, George Makhoul, shares how they are helping to significantly reduce the need for re-excision with the use of their MarginProbe. A lumpectomy is a challenging surgical procedure, complicated by two obvious yet conflicting priorities: excise as much tissue as necessary to remove the cancer from the breast, remove as little tissue as possible to achieve the best cosmetic result.

The MarginProbe System is designed to give today’s surgeons a significant new advantage in margin assessment. In a procedure of roughly five minutes, MarginProbe provides real-time, detailed information to help a surgeon decide whether additional tissue should be taken, or whether to complete the lumpectomy procedure and close the incision.

George’s background in marketing gives him a strong edge in the art of communication with stakeholders which shines through as he details the technology’s journey over the past four years. His consummate professionalism in articulating a clear approach and vision, has helped position Dilon as a leader in its field, backed up by some game-changing innovation that can significantly improve the outcomes for patients. With an inspiring mission for creating impact across the globe for women, this discussion will truly leave you informed and inspired.

The rigid, plastic T-shaped intrauterine device (IUD) has been available for over 40 years, with little to no innovation. Insertion is painful and involves numerous painful steps, and removal requires bothersome dangling strings, which are a nuisance for women and their partners. Most importantly, the pain associated with insertion and removal is widely known, leading to a nearly universal fear, particularly among younger women, of selecting an IUD.

This ‘fear factor’ is a significant barrier that prevents women from adopting one of the most effective forms of contraception. 3Daughters’ goal is to eliminate this barrier to adoption and radically transform the IUD experience for both practitioners and patients.

Mary Beth Cicero, CEO and co-founder of 3Daugthers, joins this episode to share how their innovative design forms a small frameless magnetic IUD that self-assembles in the uterus and conforms to a women’s body – with no strings attached. Through technological and scientific advancements, 3Daughters is addressing the pain and resulting ‘fear factor’ of IUD insertion.

Alongside experienced co-founder Shelley Amster, Mary Beth discusses how in just two years the company has already made significant progress to translate their novel approach. With a comprehensive system and high-performance team, there is a belief within that this could be the first billion-dollar women’s health product.

Big problems require big vision thinking, and it’s clear through this conversation that this is a team brimming with the passion and perseverance to realize their goals. As a seasoned consultant and marketer, Mary Beth offers some welcome insights as to what it takes to build a solution when those around you might not share the same optimism. #IUD has been trending for the wrong reasons and 3Daughters is on a mission to change the status quo. If you’re ready to be informed and inspired, then listen in.