#BlogHer18 Health Conference in New York City
What Is BlogHer18 Health?
In January 2018, SheKnows Media brought together over 500 women in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood for something genuinely exciting: the very first BlogHer conference dedicated entirely to health and wellness. Attendees ranged from bloggers and writers to doctors, therapists, and wellness influencers — all united by a commitment to advancing the conversation around women’s well-being.
I was honored to be among the speakers and participants at this landmark event, and the energy in that room stayed with me long after I returned to Los Angeles.
The Me Too Movement and Women’s Health
A significant portion of the conference centered on the Me Too movement — not just as a cultural moment, but as a call to action for women’s health. The conversations that day made clear that silence has real costs: when women do not feel safe speaking about their bodies, their pain, or their experiences, their health suffers as a result.
As a sex therapist, I see this every day in my practice. Women who have learned to minimize their symptoms, dismiss their discomfort, or feel embarrassed to name what they are experiencing. The rallying call of BlogHer18 — Never Shut Up — resonated deeply with my work.
Sexual Health and the Never Shut Up Movement
I spent time at the Vagisil booth, where the message was clear and powerful: women deserve to talk openly about every aspect of their health, including the parts that have historically been considered taboo. Vaginal health, libido, pain during sex, dryness, desire — these are not niche concerns. They are universal women’s health issues that deserve the same open conversation as blood pressure or nutrition.
The stigma around sexual health is one of the biggest barriers I encounter in my clinical work. Events like BlogHer18 Health create a cultural permission structure that says: your body matters, your pleasure matters, your questions deserve real answers.
Key Themes from the Conference
- The intersection of mental health and physical wellness for women
- Advocating for yourself in medical settings and with partners
- How shame and silence contribute to untreated health conditions
- Building community as a tool for healing and empowerment
- The role of sexual wellness in the overall quality of life
Why These Conversations Still Matter
Years after BlogHer18 Health, the issues raised at that conference remain urgent. Women’s sexual health continues to be underfunded, under-researched, and underdiscussed in mainstream medicine. Too many women are still told that pain during sex is normal, that low desire is just part of aging, or that their concerns are not serious enough to address.
My practice exists to push back against that narrative. If BlogHer18 reminded me of anything, it is that when women come together and speak honestly about their health, something shifts — for them individually, and for the culture as a whole.
Want to Continue the Conversation?
If you are navigating questions about sexual health, desire, intimacy, or your relationship, I invite you to reach out. You deserve a space where your concerns are taken seriously and addressed with expertise and compassion.
