For All You Women Out There…What the Heck is Femtech?

We’re living in a world where new words are being added to our vocabulary at a crazy pace! Last September, 370 new words were added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Every other day our daughters say something that sounds completely foreign to my husband and I! My point is, if you haven’t heard of the term Femtech, don’t take it personally. Or do, because Femtech is exactly that…taking it personal. The term refers to technology such as software, products, services, diagnostics, etc…that are being used to support the health of women. Whether you’re searching for answers in the realm of menstrual, autoimmune, cardiovascular, sexual, reproductive, bone or brain health, the Femtech industry is evolving to provide individualized programs based on results gathered from information taken from you. In the past, much of the Femtech industry was focused on menopause and fertility. However, recent strides have led the industry to evolve into tracking medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disease, and maternal health. With the term Femtech originating in 2016, it really is only at the beginning of its expansion. There are a plethora of areas these tech companies could dive into surrounding women’s health. According to Brittany Barreto, co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit FemTechFocus, the need for increased Femtech funding and expansion is obvious. In an interview with HealthTech, Barreto stated, “When 80 to 90 percent of people with a disease or disorder are women, then it’s a women’s health issue.” It’s these health issues that strongly favor women, that the Femtech industry is honing in on.

While the area continues to expand, some of the existing Femtech modalities are being utilized by traditional health care facilities. Some of these, such as Oova, an at-home hormone test paired with a smartphone app, and the company Babyscripts, which keeps track of an expecting mother’s health vitals via remote monitoring, are bridging the gap between more traditional medicine and functional-based medicine practices. If your practitioner hasn’t yet incorporated some of these Femtech options, there are always your digital healthcare clinic options, like Grace Health, where users can track their menstrual cycle and talk with both medical experts and/or fertility coaches about their personal health needs.

With the conception of the Femtech industry, women’s health will continue to lead the way in novel products and services. You may not have known yet what the meaning of Femtech was, but I promise, you will be well versed in the future! Until then, keep Striving!