How do you feel about the fact that a product like this can actually be potentially harmful? Let me explain.
Male sexual dysfunction is not a wellness topic. It is a symptom often linked to vascular disease, diabetes, hormonal disorders, or depression. If an app is not a medical product and cannot provide diagnostics but instead offers only wellness-based approaches, there is a real risk that someone with an actual clinical condition will rely on a ‘plan in the app’ instead of seeing a doctor. This is a sensitive and complex issue, and many men already tend to delay seeking medical help. A solution like this can increase that delay even further, which is dangerous if the underlying cause is serious. On one hand, you are addressing an important and underserved topic. On the other hand, wellness should not replace medical care for people who already have symptoms.
Sequoia
Thank you, Hanna, for taking the time to share this thoughtful and important perspective.
We want to be very clear: Sequoia is a wellness and education app, not a medical product. We do not diagnose conditions, do not set medical diagnoses, and do not prescribe or recommend medications. We explicitly state that male sexual dysfunction can be a symptom of serious underlying medical issues, and in all cases we strongly recommend seeing a licensed doctor without any delay.
Our intention is not to replace medical care, but to reduce stigma, increase awareness, and help men take their health seriously - including recognizing when professional medical evaluation is necessary. We agree that wellness should never substitute clinical care, and maintaining that boundary is a core principle of how Sequoia is designed and communicated.
We appreciate your feedback and see it as essential to holding products like ours to a high standard of responsibility.