Women in midlife are reshaping the workforce, the economy, and the tech landscape. Yet for years, their health needs, especially around perimenopause and menopause, received limited attention. That is now changing, thanks to AI and companies like Midi Health, whose mission is to create a new standard of care for women navigating hormonal transitions.

According to McKinsey, women in midlife now influence more than $15 trillion in annual global consumer spending. 

In a recent episode of the CNBC Changemakers and Power Players podcast, CEO and Co-Founder Joanna Strober of Midi Health shared how a long year of being misdiagnosed sparked the idea behind Midi, why the company now serves 25,000 women per week, and how AI streamlines decisions across both care and leadership. Her insights reflect a growing movement: women want better care, and technology is finally ready to deliver it.

A Moment That Sparked a Shift

Strober described a relatable experience during the podcast. She felt off. She wasn’t sleeping, she felt anxious, and she sensed something was shifting. Yet the feedback she received from doctors had little connection to hormones.

They recommended therapy. A sleep study. Even marriage support. None mentioned perimenopause.

This went on for a year.

Finally, someone suggested a hormone specialist. The visit changed everything. After receiving appropriate hormonal care, she felt better in just two weeks. But that clarity came with a cost- literally. She had driven an hour and paid out of pocket. Insurance had not supported the care.

That moment set the foundation for Midi Health, a platform built to make expert midlife care accessible through insurance-covered virtual visits.

As Strober said, quoted from the CNBC podcast:


“I felt really angry that it had taken me so long to get the right care, and also that I had to pay out of pocket… because my insurance should have covered it.”

Her frustration became a mission.

Women in Midlife: A Workforce Powerhouse

One of the most memorable sections of the podcast focused on women at work.

Strober shared data that should matter to every employer:

  • 50% of women choose not to pursue raises or promotions due to menopause symptoms.
  • 10% leave the workforce altogether

Deloitte reports that midlife women now represent one of the fastest-growing professional segments, with participation increasing by 7% year over year.

These insights were shared directly on CNBC’s Changemakers and Power Players podcast, and they highlight a powerful truth: supporting midlife women is not an HR benefit- it’s an economic priority.

Strober put it clearly:


“We get women all the time saying, ‘I thought I was going to have to leave my job… and now I go back to work because of Midi.’”

Hormonal health affects confidence, sleep, emotional steadiness, and day-to-day focus. When those improve, performance rises with them.

And she reinforces an uplifting message: menopausal women are not slowing down- they are, in many cases, just hitting their peak.

Changing the Image of Menopause

For decades, the public image of menopause looked outdated. Ads showed senior women with gray hair, cardigans, and soft-focus filters. But that image no longer represents the modern woman.

On the podcast, Strober explained how new voices are shifting the narrative. Celebrities like Naomi Watts, Amy Schumer, and Tory Burch are backing, funding, or supporting Midi’s mission. They’re helping rewrite how society views women in this stage of life.

As Strober said:
“Women in menopause are not grandmothers… they’re ruling the world.”

Representation matters. When women see themselves reflected in discussions about menopause, they speak up sooner- and seek care sooner.

How AI Elevates Midi Health’s Model

AI plays an important role inside Midi Health, but not in the way people often imagine. It does not diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions. Instead, as Strober explained to CNBC, it helps leaders and clinicians work smarter and faster.

Her own use case is refreshingly relatable.

Strober openly shared that she asks ChatGPT for feedback daily. She even used it to refine her OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)– a framework created by John Doerr, author of Measure What Matters.

On the CNBC podcast, she explained:

Strober uploaded her board deck, asked ChatGPT to play the role of John Doerr, explored both “nice” and “harsh” versions of his feedback, and spent an eight-hour flight iterating until “he” approved.

This story is charming, practical, and a signal of how leaders are using AI- not to replace expertise, but to sharpen it.

Her words:
“I actually had an eight-hour plane ride where I talked to John Doerr for eight hours.”

Gartner estimates that by 2026, 80% of enterprise teams will use generative AI to support strategic decision-making. 

In healthcare teams, AI can support:

  • Faster intake forms
  • Symptom pattern detection
  • More consistent patient communication
  • Educational guidance
  • Operational efficiency

The result? Clinicians focus more on care. Women get guidance faster. And leadership gets clearer insight into how to grow responsibly.

Related Reading: Innovative Business Models: AI in Healthcare Market

A Future Where Women Lead With Energy, Not Exhaustion

Imagine a workplace where women never have to guess whether their symptoms are “just stress.”
Now picture a care model where the right professional is one video visit away, and hormonal care feels as routine as a dental checkup.

That’s the world Midi aims to build- one where midlife health is not only normal to discuss but widely supported through modern technology.

As more companies adopt menopause benefits and more women speak openly, this shift will only accelerate.

This is not a movement on the horizon. It’s already here.

FAQs

1. What does Midi Health specialize in?

Midi Health focuses on care for perimenopause, menopause, and midlife hormonal health. Their clinicians provide personalized, evidence-based treatment through virtual visits.

2. Does AI decide treatment plans at Midi?

No. AI supports efficiency and clarity, but clinicians handle all medical decisions. AI helps with preparation, workflows, and educational insights.

3. Is Midi Health covered by insurance?

Yes. One of Midi’s core missions is providing expert menopause and midlife care through insurance-covered telehealth visits.

4. Why is menopause care becoming a major workplace topic?

More women are discussing hormonal health openly, and companies are recognizing that supporting midlife employees improves performance, retention, and well-being.

5. What inspired Midi Health’s creation?

The platform was inspired by Joanna Strober’s personal experience of being misdiagnosed for a year before receiving proper hormone-related care, as she shared on the CNBC Changemakers and Power Players podcast.

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