How technology can help manage menopause
How can technology help with menopause symptoms? Whilst menopause is as old as humanity, historically it's been ignored - women would typically die before reaching menopause. With the average age of menopause being 51, and symptoms of menopause often having a debilitating and life-changing impact in the years leading up to menopause and sometimes post, we need all the help options possible. Technology changes everything - so, how can it change the menopause experience for the better?
The term “FemTech” was first coined in 2016 by entrepreneur Ida Tin. Over the past few years we’ve been keeping a keen eye on the innovative Femtech (technology) solutions that can improve outcomes for women’s healthcare conditions - from fertility and periods to menopause, osteoporosis & heart health. It’s really exciting to see how technology is fast being developed whether as apps, clothing, period products, diagnostic kits or home tests
We first wrote about FemTech and menopause back in 2019. We’ve updated the piece below to reflect some of the new products that have emerged or are under development, those that have disappeared and those that continue to thrive.
March 2023
Plugging the menopause management gap with tech!
Business has woken up to women’s menopause! By 2025, over 1 billion women will be experiencing menopause - that’s a lot of customers whatever the product.
Take a tech-savvy, outspoken and curious generation, add the increasing digitalisation of healthcare and it’s no surprise that menopause products are being developed alongside those for fertility, hormones and periods.
It’s exciting to see what’s happening in this rapidly changing area called FemTech.
Women helping women!
FemTech health technology is designed in the main, by women for women, offering solutions to meet female health needs. Women’s healthcare has largely been ignored by the tech industry which has been dominated by men who know so little about women’s health needs – fertility, hormones, periods, and menopause. Women have moved into this area bringing an understanding of female health and lifestyle to their healthcare design, creating products that women will want to use, or need.
We’re grateful to Women of Wearables, an emerging global tech organisation that spotlights game-changing femtech products.
Wearable devices for managing menopause side-effects
There are some great devices on the market, or under development that could help with different aspects of the impact of falling hormones from perimenopause onwards; helping to strengthen pelvic floors, dealing with leaks and managing hot flushes.
Contrelle - a bladder support device for urinary incontinence, similar to a tampon with a reusable applicator.
Thermaband Zone - a wearable thermostat bracelet that uses AI technology to detect changes in your body’s temperature.
Elvie - a smart pelvic floor trainer.
Boost a colourful, practical and comfortable breast form for women - a boost for women who’ve gone through surgical menopause after breast cancer.
Period products for perimenopause and menopause
Periods can change in perimenopause - getting heavier, lighter or more painful. Maybe it’s time to make a change to what you’ve been using to help deal with period pain or screen for vaginal atrophy, or help the environment.
Daye Tampons - organic pain relief tampon with diagnostic capability for checking microbiome for vaginal atrophy.
Fluus - fully flushable pads that reduce landfill waste.
Clothing that help with some menopause side-effects
Clothing brands are using technology and innovative fabrics to create products that can cool and wick away moisture from hot flushes and night sweats, plus high-tech knickers to manage urinary leaks and periods, including:
OYA Femtech Apparel activewear apparel fights feminine health issues that traditional activewear makes worse, like yeast infections, UTI's, urinary incontinence, and bacterial vaginosis.
51 Apparel clothing range of temperature-controlled menopause day, lounge and nightwear.
Nixi leak-proof sporty knickers supporting women with incontinence & periods
How Apps can track menopause health & wellbeing - help is ‘at hand’
We know from our analytics that the majority our website is accessed by people on their mobile phones, chances are you’re doing it now! Here are some of our favourite apps that can help with your health and wellbeing. Some come with a small fee and others are free. Help is in your hand!
Relax with our favourite mindfulness app designed by a woman specifically for women over 40: Clarity
Track erratic periods with Moody Month
Be reminded to do those pelvic floors exercises with Squeezy
Exercise: MyFitnessPal & BBC Sport Get Inspired
Get some support for drinking less alcohol with Drinkaware
Help to stop smoking Smokefree
Menopause telehealth - support when you need it
Telehealth combines telecommunications and virtual technology to deliver health care outside of traditional health-care facilities, all supporting women to be pro-active and take preventative healthcare measure. Dr Morton’s is on such UK telehealth service where you can email, or have a phone consultation with a gynaecologist or menopause specialist doctor, at a time that suits you.
We have absolutely no links with any of these products. We’re simply sharing what’s on the market and what may be coming to market. Check out individual websites to find out more about each product and whether it is available in the UK.
October 2019
