Johanna Doyle

Biography:

When I was 21, I started losing my hair. I’d have painful mouth ulcers, insomnia, weight gain, fatigue, constipation, and uncomfortable bloating for days. Then 5-6 years later, I started getting severe migraines for 3-4 days, every month. Following quite a few dead ends with GPs, gastroenterologists, naturopaths, nutritionists, who told me I was either allergic to most food groups or that I needed to simply drink more water, I started doing my own research to learn why. I quickly realised it was the pill. Then following some more research, I was able to manage the side effects through medicinal and holistic means like supplements, acupuncture, and nutrition.

My experience is not unique – 80% of women on hormonal contraception will experience negative side effects, including migraines, headaches, breast tenderness, nausea etc 84% of women in the UK on hormonal contraception don’t feel listened to by healthcare professionals. Many women, especially young women trying to find the right HC, will feel alone and confused through the process.

cueinsights is the go-to app for women on hormonal contraception. It provides personalised aftercare, tracking and support to manage hormonal contraception side effects. In the long term, we hope to build the research foundations for innovation in hormonal contraception methods.

Being a first time, solo and female founder, there have been a few barriers:

1. My lack of experience, network and mentorship has meant my rate of learning and progress has been slower.
2. Building a solution for female health is hard to relate to or seems boring to many investors, who cannot see the long-term commercial potential or opportunity.
3. New rules by the UK Government on angel investment that came into effect at the start of 2024 which has already resulted in missed opportunities with potential investors.

However, through the Leap programme, we will have access to a better network and more opportunities.