As I prepare to celebrate my 60th birthday this July, I've been reflecting on the lessons that have shaped my life, my medical practice, and the products I create for women.
One of those lessons came from an unexpected place.
A rodeo arena.
Recently, I spent a week in Abilene, Texas, watching my daughter compete among the best young rodeo athletes in the state.
As I observed the horses, I was struck by something remarkable.
The care.
Every detail mattered.
Their feed.
Their supplements.
Their transportation.
Their grooming products.
Their recovery protocols.
Their owners scrutinized ingredients and quality because they understood a simple truth:
What goes into and onto living tissue matters.
And I found myself wondering:
When did we stop giving ourselves that same level of care?
Many women spend decades carefully maintaining their cars, researching pet food, and selecting products for their children.
Yet when it comes to their own skin, pelvic tissues, and intimate health, they've often been given products filled with ingredients they would never knowingly choose.
As an OB-GYN, that's something I've spent decades trying to change.
The Lesson I Wish I Had Learned Earlier
One of the biggest lessons I've learned approaching age 60 is this:
Healthy aging isn't just about living longer.
It's about preserving tissue quality.
The health of our:
Skin
Joints
Connective tissue
Pelvic floor
Vulva
Vagina
Bladder
determines how we feel, move, function, and enjoy life.
And two ingredients have consistently stood out throughout both traditional and modern medicine:
Aloe vera and hyaluronic acid.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring molecule found throughout the body.
It acts like a moisture magnet.
A single gram can bind several liters of water.
Hyaluronic acid is especially abundant in:
Skin
Connective tissue
Joints
Eyes
Vaginal tissue
Mucosal surfaces
Its primary role is to maintain:
Hydration
Elasticity
Lubrication
Tissue resilience
Wound healing
As we age, natural hyaluronic acid levels decline.
This contributes to:
Dry skin
Reduced elasticity
Joint stiffness
Vaginal dryness
Increased tissue fragility
Research has shown that hyaluronic acid plays an important role in maintaining healthy vaginal tissue and may improve symptoms of vaginal dryness and discomfort associated with menopause. Studies comparing hyaluronic acid with other vaginal moisturizers have demonstrated improvements in hydration, elasticity, and comfort.¹⁻³
The Fascinating History of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid was first identified in 1934 by researchers Karl Meyer and John Palmer.
Since then, it has become one of the most studied tissue-support compounds in medicine.
Today it is used in:
Ophthalmology
Wound care
Orthopedics
Dermatology
Plastic surgery
Gynecology
Why?
Because healthy tissue requires hydration.
And hydrated tissue functions better.
Aloe Vera: Thousands of Years of Healing History
Long before modern medicine discovered hyaluronic acid, cultures around the world were using aloe vera.
Historical records suggest aloe vera was used by:
Ancient Egyptians
Greeks
Romans
Chinese physicians
Ayurvedic practitioners
The Egyptians reportedly referred to aloe as the "plant of immortality."
For thousands of years, it has been applied to support:
Skin integrity
Minor wound healing
Burns
Moisture retention
Tissue comfort
Modern research has identified more than 75 bioactive compounds in aloe vera, including polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.⁴
Studies suggest aloe vera may help:
Support hydration
Promote tissue repair
Reduce irritation
Support healthy inflammatory responses
Enhance wound healing
These properties have made it valuable in both human and veterinary medicine.
Why Tissue Health Matters More After Menopause
As estrogen levels decline, women often experience what is now known as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).
GSM affects up to 70–80% of postmenopausal women.⁵
Symptoms may include:
Vaginal dryness
Burning
Irritation
Pain with intimacy
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Urinary urgency
Tissue thinning
Yet many women never seek treatment.
Instead, they assume these changes are simply part of aging.
I disagree.
While hormonal changes are natural, suffering is not.
Why I Created Velvé®
When I started looking closely at many products marketed for intimacy, I was disappointed.
Many contained:
Glycerin
Artificial fragrances
Harsh preservatives
Ingredients that may disrupt vaginal pH
Ingredients that may negatively affect the vaginal microbiome
Women deserve better.
That's why I created Velvé®.
Not simply as a lubricant.
But as a tissue-conscious, microbiome-friendly intimacy product designed from an OB-GYN's perspective.
Why Velvé® Is Different
Velvé® combines:
Hyaluronic Acid
To support hydration and tissue comfort.
Aloe Vera
To provide soothing moisture and support healthy tissue integrity.
Microbiome-Conscious Formulation
Because vaginal health depends on maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Clean Ingredients
Without many of the common irritants found in traditional lubricants.
The goal was simple:
Create a product I would confidently recommend to my own patients, daughters, sisters, and friends.
Why Julva® and Velvé® Work So Well Together
I often describe Julva® and Velvé® as partners.
Julva® focuses on supporting healthy vulvar tissue and skin quality.
Velvé® supports hydration, comfort, and intimacy.
Together, they help address many of the concerns women experience during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.
Because healthy intimacy begins with healthy tissue.
What I Wish Every Woman Knew Before 60
As I look back on my journey, one truth stands out:
Ingredients matter.
The products we use every day affect our body's largest organ—our skin—and some of our most delicate tissues.
Whether we're talking about our face, our joints, our vulva, or our vagina, healthy tissue requires support.
That's why I've become so passionate about teaching women to become the CEO of their bodies.
To ask questions.
To read labels.
To understand ingredients.
And to choose products that honor the remarkable tissues carrying them through life.
Because you deserve the same level of care we give our children, our pets, our horses, and our most prized possessions.
Actually, you deserve even more.
With love and lubrication,
Dr. Anna Cabeca
References
- Chen J, Geng L, Song X, et al. Hyaluronic acid in postmenopausal vaginal atrophy. Menopause.
- Ekin M, Yaşar L, Savan K, et al. The comparison of hyaluronic acid and estriol in treatment of vaginal atrophy. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
Palma F, Volpe A, Villa P, Cagnacci A. Vaginal atrophy of women in postmenopause. Results from a multicentric observational study.
Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple DG. Aloe Vera: A Short Review. Indian Journal of Dermatology.
Portman DJ, Gass MLS. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: New Terminology for Vulvovaginal Atrophy. Menopause.
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): Hyaluronic Acid Biology and Clinical Applications.
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): Aloe Vera in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair.
