Meika Hollander Authors #GirlBoss Sexual Wellness Book

Meika Hollender grew up in a home where the health effects of everyday retail products like toilet paper and dishwashing soap were always a topic of concern. Her father Jeffrey Hollender co-founded Seventh Generation, one of the country’s largest makers of natural, environmentally sustainable household products.  When Meika started her own business, in partnership with her father, four years ago, she followed a similar philosophy—but her company doesn’t make facial tissues or paper towels. The 30-year-old Hollender’s company, Sustain Natural, is devoted to sexual wellness, manufacturing and selling non-toxic, body-safe condoms, lube and feminine hygiene goods.  Now Hollender has authored a book, published today, on the subject of women’s sexual health, Get On Top—Of Your Pleasure, Sexuality, & Wellness: A Vagina Revolution. The book’s publicity materials describe it as “A smart, actionable guide to help women take control of their sexual health and learn about vital information in a pro-pleasure, safety-first, and sex-positive way.” Model Christy Turlington Burns called the book, “sex ed for the #GirlBoss generation,” and New York Planned Parenthood CEO Laura McQuade said, “We can’t get enough of the sex-positive, normalizing way she writes about sex and sexual health.” "I never thought it was weird or taboo to talk about sex or ask my parents, my doctor, or my partner something. That’s how I was raised,” Hollender told the site Well And Good. “Then, when I started a condom company as a 26-year-old female, I learned very quickly the harsh reality of how people interpret that.”  She said that her book is a response to that “harsh reality.” “When you start reading and learning about your body, it’s fascinating and empowering,” she told the site. “I hope it only comes with more pleasurable, consensual, healthy decisions around sex.” The site GirlBoss published an excerpt from the book on Tuesday, in which Hollender and co-author Alexandra Zissu explain, “Why masturbation is the most excellent form of self-care.” "There has never been a better time to masturbate. There’s so much focus on and awareness about pleasure and orgasm right now, and to say we’re excited about it is the understatement of the century,” they write in the book. “There’s bona fide scientific data to back up that it relieves stress, among other fab benefits. And all that with zero health risk!” Hollender and Zissu continue. “It’s kind of like a wonder wellness boost you should add to your life as much as you want to. It’s certainly more enjoyable and relaxing than green juice!” Sustain Natural sells Fair Trade condoms as well as water-based lube and even “100% cotton ‘post-play’ wipes for women,” Forbes Magazine reported, adding that the company received an initial round of financing to the tune of $2.5 million in 2016.