Lasse Leif Hessel (9 September 1940 – 25 April 2019), also called "the family doctor," was a Danish inventor, author, and Doctor of Medicine. He is known for creating the Femidom and the Femi-X pill. He was a well-known expert internationally on nutrition and dietary fibre.
Biography
He studied medicine at the University of Copenhagen and in the early 1970s began collecting research data on public health and nutrition for the Danish government. This led to writing a medical column for the daily newspaper Politiken and serving as a nutrition advisor for the Danish bread manufacturer Schulstad. This job resulted in the creation of bread with more fiber.
He also produced a government-sponsored, educational TV series called Sund og slank (healthy and slim) in 1974, along with a book of the same name. The book sold 750,000 copies and was his first major publishing success. Later, he wrote many more books, including several best-sellers, and started a health magazine called Lev vel (live well) in 1977.
In 1976, Hessel developed a weight-loss pill called Fiber Trim. Ten years later, he created a diet pill named Gastrolette, later sold as Minus Calories and Zotrim.
In 1975, Hessel started The Family Doctor, a newspaper cartoon based on his experiences as a general practitioner. The series was shared with newspapers and magazines in 42 countries through The New York Times. It reached over 320 million readers daily, ran for 14 years, and made Lasse Hessel internationally famous.
Hessel’s best-known invention is likely the Femidom, also called the female condom. He created it after learning about the lack of options for women trying to avoid HIV/AIDS. It was launched in Europe in 1990 and approved by the FDA for sale in the United States in 1993. Today, its production is supported by the World Health Organization and the United Nations. In 2000, the Femidom was honored with the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in the international trade category.
In 1991, Hessel published a bestselling book and videotape called Window on Love, based on his research using ultrasound scans to study how the penis moves inside the woman’s pelvis during sexual intercourse. The book explains how the penis can stimulate sensitive areas of the vagina, leading to a more satisfying sex life. It was published in several languages and followed by many other health books on topics like safe sex and sensual massage.
Another invention, the Femi-X pill, is a type of medicine for women with sexual dysfunction. It was developed with King’s College and launched worldwide in 2004. Made from herbal ingredients, the pill is said to increase female libido by improving blood flow and brain activity. It was paired with an educational DVD called Femi-X and Beyond (2004), hosted by Danish sexologist Joan Ørting.
Other systems Hessel invented include the Aqua Wall (1978), an indoor waterfall designed to improve environmental conditions; a remover for insect poison; a remover for pimples; Cellastic (1986), a protective material inspired by human cell structure; the Bio Tap, a titanium ring system for attaching stoma bags securely; the DiaTest saliva collection kit; and the DiaQuick, a diagnostic system for early detection of breast cancer.
Later in life, Hessel ran his own research company, Medic House, in Denmark, and was a co-owner of Natures Remedies, a company in London. He lived with his wife and four children in Svendborg, a small Danish harbor town.
Hessel died in Svendborg, Denmark, on April 25, 2019.