The Telegraph - The Search for the Female Viagra
Month: October 2025
When Dr Iona Weir, a cellular biologist, went in for a birth-repair surgery in 2008, she never countenanced the impact it would have on the rest of her already stellar career.
Weir, then aged 42, had been warned that the operation carried a 5 per cent risk of a surgically induced menopause. She did not think it would happen to her. But within a fortnight of the surgery, she says, it was “pretty obvious” that her hormones were in freefall.
“My gynaecologist told me, ‘I’ve got to give you a heads-up of what’s coming for you, because it’s not going to be pretty.’ But I already knew,” says Weir.
“My gynaecologist had previously remarked on the youthfulness of my skin,” she recalls, “and she asked if I’d considered expanding Atopis into something that would work for vaginal atrophy [the thinning, drying and inflammation of the vagina], another physical consequence of menopause and one that hugely contributes to low libido in women.”
That potentially devastating conversation marked a fulcrum point in Weir’s career. Since then, her work has been focused on the creation of a plant-based cream that could be applied externally to the vulva and vagina and address the issue of low libido in midlife women. Called Myregyna, her new product finished year-long clinical trials in May and came on to the market worldwide through the company’s website this summer.
Read more about Dr Weir’s Myregyna breakthrough here.
NZ Woman's Weekly - Dr Weir's Breakthrough
Month: October 2025
When Dr Iona Weir went in for birth injury repair surgery at 42, there was a five percent chance of the procedure triggering early menopause.
At the time, she was eager to return to her life as a mother and scientist, and never considered she’d fall into the minority.
It took months before the renowned cell biologist would learn menopause was to blame. Initially doctors had believed she was experiencing temporary side effects from surgery.
“When I finally went to see a gynaecologist, she told me I had already gone through menopause. I had a two-year-old and a four-year-old, so it was the worst timing.”
While challenging to accept, the unexpected diagnosis inspired Iona to set up her own biotech company and develop products based on decades of her research – the latest of which is specifically for post-menopausal women.
Read more about Dr Weir’s Myregyna breakthrough here.
Stuff: The Kiwi-made "Viagra for Women"
Month: October 2025
For years men have been able to access a little blue pill to help them perform better in the bedroom. But there’s been nothing comparable on offer for women – until now. And it’s looking like a Kiwi-made game changer.
Dr Iona Weir is a renowned New Zealand cell biologist who has made it her life’s work to create what is essentially Viagra for women. The product, Myregyna, is aimed at women over 50 and restores vulval health during and after menopause. “It actually boosts natural hydration,” said Dr Weir, going public with in-depth details of Myregyna for the first time. “Men got Viagra, but women got nothing, right? So this is about giving them the joy of sex back.” Weir revealed that Myregyna has been through clinical trials and is “clinically proven to improve sexual response and sexual function”.
Read more about Dr Weir’s Myregyna breakthrough and watch the full interview here.