
The women’s health technology sector, commonly known as FemTech, has seen monumental growth over the past few years. Since Danish entrepreneur Ida Tin first coined the term in 2016 to describe her women’s period-tracking app Clue, FemTech has expanded to encompass a diverse range of innovations aimed at improving women’s health and wellbeing. In 2023, women can use a variety of new products and services. Fertility tracking, menstrual care, pregnancy/nursing tech, and women’s sexual health – these are just a few areas that have experienced a wonderful transformation.
The FemTech market is projected to reach $50 billion by 2025. From AI-powered diagnostic tools to smart breast pumps and period underwear, innovative products and solutions are mainly designed by women to specifically address women’s needs.
FemTech technology: what is it?
Did you know that approximately 80% of health product consumers are women? That’s a significant majority! Women often make health decisions not just for themselves but also for their families. That’s why their views on health are very important.
FemTech technology implies using innovative products to improve women’s health. Companies operating in this field create smart solutions to address women’s needs. These are healthy pregnancy, menopause management, menstrual and sexual health. Experts engaged in the development of such products are fully aware that not only these unique women’s needs are relevant. There are certain issues that affect women differently than men, for example, osteoporosis and heart problems. Medical experts and IT professionals working on FemTech solutions know this fact and consider it when building innovative products.
This sector is growing rapidly. McKinsey & Company estimate its current value at $500 million – $1 billion. It has already attracted considerable attention and investments, which has resulted in the emergence of numerous FemTech startups.
FemTech technology provides women with innovative gadgets, but this is not the only positive thing about it. What is really important is that it breaks down old taboos, encouraging open conversations about topics like menstruation and sexual health. Companies like Rosy Wellness, Thinx, Elvie, and Elektra Health give women platforms to discuss these subjects without embarrassment.
Another relevant trend is the ever-growing inclusivity. FemTech caters to women of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Companies like FOLX Health, HUE, and Kasha ensure healthcare meets the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, women in economically disadvantaged regions, and Black women. Quality healthcare is a right for everyone, and these companies prove this not only verbally but with deeds.
One interesting fact is that over 70% of FemTech companies are led by women. Naturally, they better understand women’s needs. Female leadership in healthcare is a significant trend, and this leadership benefits everyone.
Let’s take a look at the key areas that FemTech technology covers in 2023 and some of the latest trends.
Menstrual health apps
Modern women gladly use menstrual health and cycle-tracking apps. What started as simple period trackers have evolved into sophisticated platforms providing personalized health insights.
Millions of women now follow the latest software trends and use such solutions not just to log their cycles, but to gain a more profound understanding of their reproductive health. These apps collect such data as cycle length, symptoms, and correlating factors like diet, exercise, and sexual activity. Based on this information, they identify patterns and predict future cycles. Some can even flag potential abnormalities like PCOS.
Consistency and accuracy of user data input are vital when dealing with this software. The more objective metrics like basal body temperature and cervical fluid quality yield better results than subjective assessments of symptoms. Women who have used such apps for a long time naturally provide more data to analyze. So, in these cases, predictions are more accurate and highly personalized. Additionally, individuals interested in exploring natural approaches to support their digestive health may find valuable insights in articles discussing the potential benefits of probiotics for belly fat on sites like BetterBody.co.
Of course, apps cannot replace professional medical advice. But they help women to understand what is normal or abnormal for their individual bodies. By prompting users to log relevant physiological and lifestyle factors, period trackers can uncover connections between cycle irregularities and potential underlying issues.
With women’s health under threat, data privacy has become paramount. Reassuringly, most major period tracking apps do not sell personal data, only collecting basic info like email and name. Still, consumers should look into companies’ data policies and use a pseudonym for maximum privacy.
As of 2023, these apps have advanced considerably. Now, they are convenient to use and informative. They give women more profound insights into their reproductive health, promoting better self-care and more informed doctor’s visits.
Some apps worth attention are Clue, Flo, Ovia Fertility, Eve by Glow, MagicGirl, MyFlo, Cycles, Glow, and Apple Cycle Tracking.
Fertility and family planning solutions
No matter the progress, the latest advancements, and emancipation trends in society, most women still see family as one of their core values. And children are at the very center of this. But not every woman can easily get pregnant and give birth to a child. What’s more, some are child-free and, on the contrary, strive to preserve the existing state of affairs.
Modern software helps all women, regardless of their views on maternity. As the FemTech sector is growing, women get more innovative solutions for family planning and fertility management. Such digital products help them understand and control their reproductive health. They use menstrual and other data to provide personalized insights.
We have already mentioned apps like Flo, Clue, and Ovia. They not only serve the purpose of tracking periods but prove to be efficient in dealing with fertility issues as well. They use cycle history, symptoms, and other inputs to predict ovulation with high accuracy. Users become aware of their personal fertile window for both avoiding and trying to conceive.
Natural cycle apps like Dot and Maya offer effective non-hormonal contraception by identifying days of peak fertility to abstain or use protection. Multiple studies confirm these AI-driven platforms can prevent pregnancy as well as the pill.
Premom and Mira enable at-home hormone testing to check ovarian reserve, egg quality, and other fertility biomarkers. Instead of relying solely on age, these tests give women objective data to carry out family planning reasonably.
Whether aiming to prevent, delay, or achieve pregnancy, FemTech in 2023 allows women to take charge of their reproductive journeys.
Menopause management apps
As millions of women embarking on menopause this year can attest, the transition brings a host of distressing symptoms. From hot flashes and night sweats to sexual changes, sleep disruptions, and mood swings, navigating “The Change” is far from easy.
Seeking relief, women are increasingly turning to FemTech, including a growing array of menopause management apps. These digital products connect users to doctors for telehealth consultations, prescription needs, and follow-ups related to hormone therapy or other treatment options.
Symptom trackers allow women to meticulously log the occurrences, frequency, severity, and timing of their various symptoms. This provides doctors with detailed data to analyze patterns and customize treatment plans for each woman’s menopause journey.
Peer support apps like Peanut harness online communities and discussion forums for collective wisdom on practically managing symptoms like hot flashes, low libido, and disrupted sleep. Educational platforms like Gennev and Elektra Health combine lifestyle adjustments, mindfulness practices, mood tracking, and coping techniques into personalized digital menopause programs.
However, consumers must be prudent when selecting apps. As Dr. Faubion of the North American Menopause Society cautions, some digital solutions primarily aim to peddle ineffective or unproven over-the-counter products. Carefully checking that telehealth services provide quality care, follow-ups, and continuity is crucial.
While no app can or should wholly replace an in-person gynecologist, these digital tools fill the gap on the remaining 364 days a year women need support. As careers, families, and lives march on amidst menopause, apps are making the transition a little more manageable on women’s terms.
With menopause an inevitability for most women, the FemTech sector still has enormous potential for better solutions. As life expectancy rises worldwide, innovations that smooth and empower the midlife transition will only grow in importance.
Pelvic health devices
Recently, there have appeared many advanced tools for maintaining and improving pelvic wellness. Devices aid in performing proper kegel exercises, managing incontinence, and supporting recovery after childbirth.
Smart kegel devices like PeriCoach use biofeedback to help locate and contract pelvic muscles correctly. Sensors confirm proper technique and quantify contraction strength for progress tracking.
Wearables like Elvie Trainer and Kegelbell offer guided programs with paired smartphone apps. Features like real-time ultrasound imaging, progress graphs, and reminders promote consistency.
Non-invasive electrical stimulators from companies like InControl Medical and Atlantic Therapeutics externally target pelvic nerves to strengthen muscles. Discreet, wearable options fit under clothes for low-profile toning.
Supportive pessaries from firms like CooperSurgical provide non-surgical relief from prolapse and incontinence. Innovations like adjustable sizing and antimicrobial coatings enhance comfort and convenience.
Postpartum recovery underwear combines compression and Targeted Cooling Therapy to ease perineal aches. Hands-free ice pack inserts soothe pain from vaginal tearing and episiotomies.
Modern innovations are removing barriers to pelvic health, with solutions accessible outside clinical settings. As advancements in the tech sector are going on, maintaining core strength and wellness is becoming more convenient than ever.
Pregnancy and postpartum care products
Convenient digital tools considerably improve women’s health state during pregnancy and enhance the postpartum experience. Modern mothers who follow the latest tech trends enjoy efficient apps and wearables for prenatal care, birth recovery, and newborn needs.
Leading pregnancy apps like What to Expect and Ovia track milestones, provide health information, and connect users to support communities. Some enable video chats with practitioners for virtual care.
Wearables like Bellabeat’s Leaf monitor fetal heart rate, contractions, and kick counts for added peace of mind between appointments. Posture monitoring in devices like Bloomlife’s band aid proper positioning.
For postpartum recovery, gadgets like the Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle simplify uncomfortable tasks for C-section and natural births alike. Soothing solutions like breast milk cooling pads and cooling liners provide drug-free pain relief.
Technology is also innovating infant care, from sensors like Nanit that track baby sleep patterns to the Willow smart breast pump allowing hands-free milk collection. Apps like LactApp and Feed Baby prompt feeding schedules and nutrition tracking.
By merging health tracking and community, FemTech innovations aim to optimize the journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. The market promises continued development catering to modern moms’ needs.
Sexual wellness tech
Once a taboo subject, sexual wellness technology is rapidly entering the mainstream as entrepreneurs apply innovation to enrich intimacy and education. Statista predicts that the global sexual wellness market will reach $37.2 billion in 2023. Shifting attitudes, increased consumer demand, and the elimination of stigmas by modern FemTech are driving this growth.
The realm of sexual wellness is experiencing a remarkable transformation thanks to FemTech trends and pioneering innovations. From devices designed to enhance intimacy to solutions addressing sexual health concerns, technology is spearheading a movement to destigmatize and revitalize sexual health and well-being.
Wearable devices are redefining the understanding of sexual desire. They offer individuals valuable insights into their desires. Paired with intuitive apps, they help users customize their stimulation experiences and quantify their pleasure.
Some startups offer users audio-guided mindfulness and somatic exercises, fostering sexual self-knowledge and confidence. These platforms are reshaping how individuals perceive and engage with their own sexuality. One important trend worth mentioning is the emergence of various education portals like OMGYES. They are demystifying diverse anatomies and pleasure techniques through informative videos, ensuring that sexual wellness is understood and accessible.
Beyond enhancing pleasure, FemTech is addressing sexual dysfunction and pain disorders.
From empowering intimacy to treating dysfunction, FemTech 2023 is at the forefront of science-based, stigma-free sexual wellness. As innovators continue to normalize conversations around sexuality, products designed to elevate women’s experiences and education will undoubtedly expand, enriching the realm of sexual well-being.
These technologies are not mere novelties; they address real needs and initiate open conversations about sexual well-being. Younger generations are displaying increased receptiveness to sexual wellness and education, and this trend makes businesses seize the opportunity to fill significant market gaps.
Wearable health devices
The latest FemTech trends influence the world of wearables. In 2023, solutions for women make up a significant part of them. Here are some of the popular types available on the market:
- Smartwatches
Of course, the most popular devices are smartwatches. Using them for everyday activities has become a worldwide trend. Thanks to them, users track their menstrual cycles, monitor heart rates, and even assess their sleep quality.
- Menstrual tracking
Specialized apps and devices, when synced with smartwatches or smartphones, can predict periods, ovulation windows, and even warn of potential irregularities. This level of precision empowers women to plan their lives around their cycles and seek medical advice promptly if needed.
- Maternal health monitoring
Wearable fetal monitors allow expectant mothers to keep tabs on their baby’s health, tracking vital signs and movements conveniently. These devices provide peace of mind and offer an extra layer of security during this precious journey.
- Pelvic health wearables
There are specialized wearables for women dealing with pelvic health concerns. They strengthen pelvic floor muscles, help fight incontinence, and improve overall pelvic health.
To wrap up
Leading IT companies offering healthcare solution development services closely follow the latest trends and get FemTech insights to create innovative products that support women and make their lives healthier and happier. This sector definitely has a bright future. No doubt, we will see even more striking products very soon as medical professionals and tech experts join forces to make the lives of women better.