Entrepreneur aims to revolutionise menopause treatment with online pharmacy

A Leeds-based entrepreneur is using her personal experience and medical knowledge to launch an online pharmacy dedicated to improving access and treatment options for women going through menopause.

A qualified prescribing pharmacist, Melissa Sookia knows about the lack of support and affordable treatment available for women suffering from menopausal symptoms.

Menopause is typically experienced by women in their 40s and beyond and can greatly impact physical and mental health.

Sookia, whose new venture is called LIVVE, explained: “With 13,000,000 menopausal women in the UK, it’s time to cut through the deafening silence on this topic and get past the shame society has placed on it.”

“I went through perimenopause when I was 40 and after a few appointments with my GP was left feeling underwhelmed and frustrated by the treatment options and advice I received.

“I became obsessed with enhancing my knowledge about the medical side of it because I knew that my situation wasn’t unique.

“There was so much more I could offer with the knowledge I had about menopause and my role as a prescribing pharmacist that no one else was doing.”

Sookia worked with Gen M, which provides research, knowledge, and experience to help brands better understand key topics surrounding menopause.

It also offers support to anyone experiencing menopause symptoms and directs them to the right products and services.

Sam Simister, co-founder of GenM, said: “Half of the population will experience this transition and it impacts everyone in society.

“We all have a role to play in making things better, and that includes businesses like LIVVE who are stepping up to cater to this audience by providing treatment for all 48 potential menopause symptoms, as well as offering information and support to make the best of this life stage.”

The LIVVE platform is due to launch later this month, providing both a consultation service and an online pharmacy in one place.

Sookia added: “Pharmacists are a key part of the solution. They are experts in offering practical help and making decisions about which medicines to prescribe and dispense. The online nature of LIVVE enables us to offer a responsive and cost-effective service.”