Talk of menopause
stuck in time for as long as we can remember, but with more and more people entering menopause early, the stigma needs to be broken.
“We were conscious that we were in our early 20s and didn’t know enough about it – and we knew that wasn’t right. This is something that affects 50 per cent of the population, and there is a shocking lack of support or knowledge available.
“More and more people are entering menopause early. Whether it’s through surgical menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) [when a woman’s ovaries stop working normally before she reaches the age of 40], or endometriosis, they share one thing in common – a lack of recognition by professionals, friends, family, and society.”
Isla, an NHS nurse from
Musselburgh, said: “We saw an urgent need for products that can help with the symptoms of menopause. There just wasn’t a lot out there, and the designs were largely medical. Early menopause makes up 10 per cent of all menopause cases, so that’s an unspoken market, even if it’s a buzz word at the moment.”
Isla and Jessica, who started GLORIAH during lockdown while working full-time, say the Scottish EDGE funding will enable them to focus more on new product development and ultimately dedicate all their time to the business.
The award will also allow the dynamic duo to lay the foundations for expansion into new markets, as well as scaling up educational resources.
“Being a nurse, especially throughout covid, taught me resilience,” said Isla. “I’ve learned to work in some pretty extreme circumstances – and I’ve seen the women’s health gap first hand.
“We’re doing something to help close that. It’s made me realise how needed a brand like GLORIAH is and how powerful it can be. Our mission is to break down barriers and make it easier for people to access the support, products, and education they need.
“We want to normalise conversation about menopause – particularly at an early stage. I don’t think I’d even have talked to my mum about it if we hadn’t started GLORIAH. It shouldn’t be that way.” Pictures: Jack Currie
George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations, 8pm