A Scottish woman began experiencing menopause at the age of 25, which inspired her friends, Jessica and Isla, to create a product aimed at helping women facing similar challenges. They developed a luxury water-based lubricant called Soul Gel, specifically designed for menopausal and perimenopausal women. After receiving a £90,000 grant from Scottish EDGE, they launched their product in major retailers like Tesco and Superdrug.

Soul Gel quickly gained popularity, selling out three times since its launch. The product was created after the co-founders struggled to find suitable solutions for their friend who went through surgical menopause at such a young age. Jessica expressed that they wanted to offer something beautiful and stigma-breaking for women experiencing these issues.

The lubricant is made with natural ingredients such as aloe vera and oat extract to soothe and hydrate the skin affected by hormonal changes. It is priced at £17 but can be purchased for £12.75 with a discount code until the end of July.

In addition to its appealing formula, Soul Gel features stylish packaging that resembles high-end skincare products, aiming to normalize discussions around vaginal dryness and female hormonal health. Positive feedback from users highlights its effectiveness and gentle nature on sensitive skin. The product has received high ratings online but does incur shipping costs unless certain spending thresholds are met.

Original article

This article provides actionable information by informing readers about a specific product, Soul Gel, that addresses vaginal dryness during menopause, offering a clear option for those seeking relief. It includes practical details like pricing, discounts, and where to buy, allowing readers to make immediate purchasing decisions. The educational depth is limited, as it briefly mentions the product’s natural ingredients and purpose but lacks explanations of menopause’s broader causes, consequences, or systemic issues. Personal relevance is moderate, as it directly impacts women experiencing menopause or perimenopause, but may not resonate with others. It serves a public service function by normalizing discussions around a stigmatized topic and providing access to a solution, though it does not include official resources or broader health guidance. The practicality of recommendations is high, as the product is readily available in major retailers and online, with clear pricing and discounts. The long-term impact is uncertain, as while the product addresses a specific issue, the article does not discuss broader menopause management or sustainable health practices. The constructive emotional or psychological impact is positive, as it empowers women by offering a stigma-breaking solution and fostering open conversations. Finally, the article does not appear to generate clicks or serve advertisements, focusing instead on informing readers about a product designed to help a specific demographic. Overall, it offers practical value for those directly affected but lacks broader educational or systemic insights.

The creation and marketing of Soul Gel, a luxury lubricant for menopausal women, raises several concerns regarding its impact on family, community trust, and the stewardship of the land. While the product may provide relief for women experiencing vaginal dryness due to hormonal changes, its emphasis on individual comfort and luxury may divert attention from more fundamental issues affecting family cohesion and community well-being.

The fact that a 25-year-old woman is experiencing menopause highlights a broader concern about the health and well-being of young women. Rather than solely focusing on developing products to alleviate symptoms, it is essential to address the underlying causes of premature menopause, such as environmental factors, lifestyle choices, or access to healthcare. This requires a more comprehensive approach that involves families, communities, and local authorities working together to promote holistic health and wellness.

Moreover, the normalization of discussions around vaginal dryness and female hormonal health through stylish packaging and marketing may inadvertently contribute to the commodification of women's bodies. This could lead to increased pressure on women to conform to certain beauty standards or expectations, potentially undermining their self-worth and autonomy.

The product's pricing at £17 (or £12.75 with a discount code) may also be out of reach for many low-income families or individuals who require such products. This raises concerns about unequal access to healthcare and wellness solutions, which can exacerbate existing social inequalities.

In terms of family responsibilities and community trust, the emphasis on individual solutions like Soul Gel may distract from the importance of intergenerational relationships and collective care. As people age or experience health challenges, it is essential that families and communities come together to provide support and care. By relying solely on commercial products like Soul Gel, we risk eroding these vital social bonds.

Ultimately, if this trend continues unchecked – where individual comfort is prioritized over collective well-being – we risk weakening family cohesion and community trust. The long-term consequences could include:

1. Increased isolation among individuals as they rely solely on commercial products rather than community support. 2. Decreased attention to underlying health issues affecting young women. 3. Widening social inequalities due to unequal access to healthcare solutions. 4. Erosion of intergenerational relationships as people become more reliant on individualized solutions.

To mitigate these risks, it is crucial that we prioritize holistic approaches to health and wellness that involve families, communities, and local authorities working together. We must also recognize the importance of intergenerational relationships and collective care in promoting overall well-being. By doing so, we can foster stronger family bonds while ensuring equal access to healthcare solutions for all members of our communities.

The text exhibits selection and omission bias by focusing exclusively on the positive aspects of Soul Gel and its creators’ motivations, while omitting potential criticisms or limitations of the product. For instance, it highlights the product’s popularity, natural ingredients, and stylish packaging, but fails to mention any negative reviews, side effects, or concerns users might have. Phrases like “quickly gained popularity” and “positive feedback from users” present a one-sided narrative, ignoring possible drawbacks or dissenting opinions. This bias favors the product and its creators by portraying them as universally successful and well-received, without providing a balanced perspective.

Economic and class-based bias is evident in the text’s emphasis on the product’s luxury positioning and pricing. The phrase “luxury water-based lubricant” and the price point of £17 (or £12.75 with a discount) suggest the product is targeted at a wealthier demographic. The text does not address whether this pricing is accessible to all women experiencing menopause, particularly those with lower incomes. By framing Soul Gel as a high-end solution, the text implicitly favors consumers who can afford it, while potentially excluding or marginalizing those who cannot.

Sex-based bias is present in the text’s assumption that all women experiencing menopause face the same challenges and would benefit from a product like Soul Gel. The phrase “specifically designed for menopausal and perimenopausal women” generalizes the experiences of women, ignoring individual differences in symptoms, preferences, and needs. Additionally, the text does not acknowledge that menopause is a biological process experienced by females, yet it uses language like “women” without clarifying the biological basis of this categorization. This bias reinforces a one-size-fits-all approach to female health, potentially overlooking diverse experiences.

Cultural and ideological bias is embedded in the text’s emphasis on “breaking the stigma” around vaginal dryness and hormonal health. The phrase “stigma-breaking” suggests that discussions around these topics are universally taboo, reflecting a Western cultural perspective where such topics may be less openly discussed. However, the text does not consider whether this stigma exists equally in all cultures or societies. By presenting the product as a solution to a Western-centric issue, it implicitly favors a Western worldview and overlooks how other cultures might approach or perceive these topics differently.

Linguistic and semantic bias is evident in the use of emotionally charged language to evoke sympathy and support for the product’s mission. Phrases like “inspired by their friend who went through surgical menopause at such a young age” and “wanted to offer something beautiful for women experiencing these issues” appeal to the reader’s emotions rather than presenting factual information. This bias manipulates the reader into viewing the product favorably by framing it as a compassionate and empowering solution, rather than simply a commercial product.

Framing and narrative bias is present in the text’s structure, which follows a hero’s journey narrative. The story begins with a problem (a friend’s early menopause), introduces the creators as innovators, and concludes with their success (selling out three times and receiving positive feedback). This structure positions the creators as admirable figures and their product as a triumph, without critically examining the broader context or potential challenges. By sequencing the information in this way, the text guides the reader toward a positive interpretation of Soul Gel, favoring the creators’ perspective.

Confirmation bias is evident in the text’s acceptance of the product’s effectiveness and popularity without providing evidence or data. Phrases like “gained popularity” and “received high ratings online” are presented as facts without citations or specific figures. This bias reinforces the narrative that Soul Gel is a successful and effective product, without questioning the sources or reliability of these claims. By relying on unsubstantiated assertions, the text favors the creators’ narrative and suppresses skepticism or alternative viewpoints.

The text conveys a sense of empathy and compassion through the story of the Scottish woman who experienced early menopause, inspiring her friends to create Soul Gel. This emotion is evident in phrases like "struggled to find suitable solutions" and "wanted to offer something beautiful and stigma-breaking." The strength of this empathy is moderate, as it is rooted in a personal story but not overly dramatic. It serves to build a connection between the reader and the creators, making their mission relatable and heartfelt. This emotional tone helps guide the reader’s reaction by fostering sympathy and understanding for women facing menopause-related challenges, positioning Soul Gel as a thoughtful and caring solution.

Pride and excitement are expressed in the description of Soul Gel’s success, such as "quickly gained popularity" and "selling out three times since its launch." The emotion is strong here, as it highlights achievements like securing a £90,000 grant and being stocked in major retailers. This pride serves to inspire confidence in the product’s quality and effectiveness, encouraging readers to view Soul Gel as a trusted and successful brand. The excitement also creates a sense of momentum, making the product seem desirable and in demand.

A subtle frustration is implied in the mention of the co-founders’ struggle to find suitable solutions for their friend, as well as the stigma surrounding vaginal dryness and hormonal health. This emotion is mild but purposeful, as it underscores the need for products like Soul Gel. It helps guide the reader’s reaction by highlighting a problem that requires attention, positioning the product as a necessary and innovative solution.

The writer uses personal storytelling to increase emotional impact, focusing on the friend’s early menopause to create a relatable and compelling narrative. This tool makes the issue feel more immediate and human, steering the reader’s attention toward the product’s purpose. Comparisons are also used, such as likening Soul Gel’s packaging to high-end skincare, which elevates the product’s perceived value and normalizes its use. These techniques persuade by making the product seem both essential and luxurious, appealing to both emotional and practical needs.

The emotional structure of the text shapes opinions by framing Soul Gel as a product born out of care, innovation, and success. However, it also limits clear thinking by focusing heavily on positive outcomes and emotional appeals, such as the personal story and pride in achievements, while downplaying potential drawbacks like shipping costs. Recognizing where emotions are used—such as in the storytelling and celebratory language—helps readers distinguish between facts (e.g., ingredients, pricing) and feelings (e.g., empathy, pride). This awareness allows readers to make informed decisions without being overly influenced by emotional persuasion.