FOUNDING STORY OF HHC
"If I can manage to get my UTIs under control, so can you!" - Claire suffered from recurring bladder infections for over five years, and they took over her life. She tried all the home remedies, herbal medicines from around the world, and antibiotics, but nothing helped permanently. On every vacation, the local pharmacy was always her first stop to try the best medicines in the country. She visited almost every urologist in Berlin, but received the same messaging that there wasn't much she could do. Two vaccinations later, with no success. In the hospital, she was forced to undergo a cystoscopy under general anesthesia.
And although over 50% of all women suffer from UTIs, Claire felt totally left alone and isolated. Because UTIs are still often a taboo subject, many women suffer silently, are anxious and not sufficiently informed.
Determined to find a solution to avoid having to rely on antibiotics forever and to get rid of the permanent fear of the next painful UTI, Claire started researching religiously every night. Her realization: not only the right remedies, but also the right routine and preventative measures is crucial (and that doesn't just include peeing after sex).
There was no one drug at the pharmacy - or online - that helped (she had to buy several from different companies), nor was there one guidebook. The idea for Her Health Company was born. When Claire told her good friend and experienced nutritionist Christian about it, he was excited by the challenge of developing new solutions backed by new emerging research.
Together with Claire's sister Hillary, they noticed that there was no community to support and educate women struggling with UTIs, and saw a void needing to be filled. From there, Her Health Company was founded in Berlin in 2020 with the goal of offering women the most effective natural products as well as educating, breaking taboos, and empowering them.
OUR MISSION / PHILOSOPHY
Her Health Co breaks taboos and shatters stigmas around your bladder and vagina health. We seek to educate women about their bodies and empower them to take full control of their health and wellness. To do this, we develop unique natural products backed by science that provide lasting help. At the same time, we want to create a safe place online where women can get help and tips, as well as share and encourage each other. A community where womanhood is celebrated, with all that that entails.
WHO‘S BEHIND?
Claire came to Berlin in 2014 from her hometown of Brisbane, Australia, where she founded her successful clean skincare brand MERME Berlin two years later. Previously, she studied at the Australian College of Natural Beauty. Her Health Company is another project of her heart, with which she wants to give other women the help she wished she had herself when she suffered from her chronic UTIs. "I went through hell for five years - I don't want other women to have to go through that too." Even today, Claire could have a UTI any day if she didn't take preventative measures. Because once the body has had that inflammation, it's much more susceptible to it. "But the message is: You can still live a happy life. I don't want UTIs to be something that overrules your everyday life. That’s why I wanted extremely effective products that also look beautiful that you like having them in your bathroom."
"But the most important thing to me was to educate women and create a space where women know exactly how to prevent the next UTI. And where men can get informed, too. I really want to break the taboo of bladder infections and help get women talking to their partners about it - UTIs are everyone's business.“
Australian born Hillary was a lawyer in Australia before moving to Berlin for a more aligned path in women’s wellness and health. Hillary is now a Women's Empowerment and certified Health Coach through New York's Integrative Institute of Nutrition and works with clients internationally. She advocates for the importance of holistic, cleaner measures when supporting women’s health, wellbeing and treatment of illness, whilst also addressing possible mental or emotional causes. “We underestimate the power between our mind and body. The kinder we are of our body, with what we consume or the thoughts we think, the kinder our body will be to us”. Hillary also helps women find clarity, purpose and fulfilment through Human Design, while also finding peace and freedom in their bodies.
Hillary is passionate about women’s issues and is continuing her studies in psychology at the University of London. “In today’s society, women’s health issues are commonly belittled, stigmatised and shamed - leaving women feeling helpless and hopeless. Our goal is to help empower women to take control of their own health and in turn, live more free, fulfilling lives. There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”
Christian is an expert in the field of nutritional supplements and advises various companies in the field of functional food. He studied nutritional sciences and agricultural economics, which means that he not only knows exactly which substances affect the body and the immune system and prevent inflammation, but also has a broad knowledge of botany. While still a student, he took care of the university's herb garden and already made his own cough drops with medicinal herbs.
As a longtime good friend of Claire's, he got to see her struggles with UTIs over the years. But the high numbers of women who are affected surprised him. He was also struck by the often unconscious taking of supplements and medicines without questioning how the ingredients affect the body.
"I wanted to get the maximum effectiveness out of the products, on a scientific basis. There's nothing in it just for marketing reasons - keyword cranberry. The effects are always proven by studies. Maintaining health also plays an important role. We shouldn't act when it's too late, but be proactive." This is how the unique Her Health Company active ingredient complexes were created to help you balance your body and stay healthy.
