For many years women have been told to go through the changes of midlife without really understanding them, and menopause was seldom talked about openly, with symptoms like poor sleep, hot flashes, mood changes, fatigue, and stress usually regarded as things that women just had to put up with.

For Dr. Sanjana Rao and Dr. Gayatri Muthukrishnan, the silence became a problem which was worth solving. Although both scientists had for many years been engaged in research and science communication, when they reached their late 30s and 40s, they started to see directly the health issues that occur in midlife-from stigma to dismissal by doctors. It was because of their own experiences that the question took on a more personal aspect: why were women reaching midlife without having been adequately prepared and supported?

Two Scientists, One Missing Conversation

Sanjana and Gayatri met on LinkedIn when they were living abroad. Although their academic backgrounds were different, they were complementary: Sanjana holds a PhD in Biotechnology, while Gayatri has a background in chemical engineering and a PhD in Bioengineering. Both of them had carried out research for many years.

When they reached their forties, they started asking the same kinds of questions that millions of other women were also asking: what actually takes place in the body in midlife? Which of the symptoms are normal? When should a woman get medical assistance? Seeing how widespread these unanswered questions were, they decided to offer clear, evidence-backed answers.

Turning Research into a Real-World Solution

In 2022 the founders launched Miyara Health, a digital platform which concentrates on midlife and menopausal health, aiming to give women information and confidence and thus replacing confusion with guided support.

Miyara provides a full health evaluation that includes a symptom tracker, an interactive AI companion, and self-guided symptom management programs. The range of services available covers issues such as hot flashes, insomnia, stress, mental well-being, fitness, weight control, and pelvic health.

The platform also offers access to experienced medical professionals who have been vetted, such as gynaecologists, nutritionists, and physiotherapists. Women are able to get personalized advice and, if suitable, arrange to have online clinical consultations. The AI companion provided by Miyara is designed to give 24-hour informational support while maintaining a clear distinction between general digital advice and clinical medical care.

The Hardest Part Was Being Taken Seriously

The project to build Miyara was not just a technological challenge since it also involved a struggle against systemic bias and a lack of public awareness. The founders have been open about the difficulties they experienced when trying to raise capital as women starting a business in an area that many investors at first regarded as being too small or specialized.

Sanjana pointed out that the journey entailed “more obstacles than acceptance,” emphasizing just how difficult it is to establish a new category in the healthcare field. Nevertheless, they carried on.

From an Overlooked Issue to 30,000 Women

The fact that Miyara has achieved this shows clearly that the story is changing. In its first year the organisation managed to reach more than 30,000 women via corporate workshops and its digital programs. An internal assessment found that the participants had improved their ability to manage symptoms by 70 per cent. Moreover, Miyara has a lively WhatsApp group with about 600 members, which acts as a dedicated area for open discussion on midlife wellness.

Miyara has taken these important health topics directly into corporate settings beyond the range of consumers. The team has conducted sessions for employees of over 20+ global organisations including EY-GDS, Capgemini, and Google. The Miyara App which launched just a few months ago has 1000s of users from 30 different countries who consider it a useful resource to manage their years of Perimenopause and Menopause.

A Future Where Women Know Their Bodies

The impact of Miyara Health cannot be measured solely by the number of lives it has already touched. Its deeper impact lies in the structural change it is helping drive across modern healthcare.

As the realities of midlife health become better understood, workplace policies evolve, clinical guidelines advance, and public conversations around menopause grow, Dr. Sanjana and Dr. Gayatri are helping shape this change. Through Miyara, they are working to ensure that no woman has to navigate this important stage of life without the knowledge, support, and care she deserves—laying the foundation for a future built on transparency, evidence-based care, and dignity.