Health drives performance at work. The more we provide women with answers, support and treatment to … [+] health issues, the more proactive they are.
The intersection of technology and healthcare has given rise to a booming industry known as femtech, which is revolutionizing women’s health. Vaginal health has emerged as a critical frontier. Eighty percent of women aged 18-59 experienced at least one pelvic health symptom in the past year and considered vaginal discomfort to impact their lives negatively. Twenty-five percent reported it affected their overall quality of life.
By addressing long-neglected issues, femtech companies are improving women’s health outcomes and empowering female leaders to thrive in the workplace.
Vaginal health issues, such as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections and urinary tract infections, are among the most common health concerns for women. Despite their prevalence, these conditions have historically been under-researched and stigmatized. Poor vaginal health can lead to physical discomfort, mental health challenges and reduced confidence—all of which can hinder professional performance and leadership potential.
For women in leadership roles, these challenges are compounded by the high-pressure nature of their positions. Symptoms like chronic pain or fatigue can distract from decision-making, while the stigma surrounding vaginal health may prevent women from seeking timely care or discussing their struggles openly. This silence perpetuates a cycle where women leaders feel unsupported, impacting their ability to lead effectively.
The Vagina Business
Dr. Marina Gerner, a doctor of philosophy, freelance journalist and author of The Vagina Business, takes an eye-opening look at the innovators challenging the status quo to deliver the healthcare solutions women need. She spoke with 100 entrepreneurs across 15 countries, exploring the future of women’s health, where female-focused companies are developing products to help women at every stage of life. The book has received grants from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and The Society of Authors.
“I learned that many of these vagina-centric companies that have come up with something new, or that are working on something new, they struggle to raise money because most VC investors are men, and they are too embarrassed to talk about vaginas in a business setting,” Gerner explains. “I have this quote from one VC investor who says, ‘I don’t want to talk about vaginas in my Monday morning partner meeting.’ That really encapsulates that attitude of guys not wanting to talk about these things in front of other guys.”
From her research, Gerner finds there are two strategies to secure funding for femtech companies: Focus on the data and the other is to lean into it confidently, say, “vagina.”
Dr. Marina Gerner, author of The Vagina Business
As the first in-depth book about femtech to be published in multiple languages, Gerner has kept the topics broad to shine a light on women’s health in general. With roughly 2,000 companies in the space, she focused on the startups already in the market. She highlights a smart bra with EKG technology that can predict heart attacks early. Some companies have created apps to help women get access to medical abortions and perform them at home safely. Additionally, there are healthcare apps tailored to LGBTQIA people and their needs without the attached stigma.
How Femtech Is Changing The Game
Femtech companies are addressing these gaps with innovative solutions that prioritize precision medicine, accessibility, and education. These advancements are not just about treating symptoms; they’re about enabling women to take control of their well-being.
Key Innovations In Vaginal Health Femtech
- At-home diagnostics: Companies like Evvy offer at-home vaginal microbiome tests that provide personalized care plans based on physician-reviewed results. Such tools reduce the barriers to seeking care and allow women to address issues discreetly.
- Holistic care platforms: Platforms integrating virtual coaching with diagnostics ensure that women receive comprehensive support throughout their healthcare journey. This holistic approach addresses both physical symptoms and mental well-being. Companies like Maven Clinic provide comprehensive support across various life stages, including preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and menopause.
- Tailored treatments: By leveraging data on vaginal microbiomes, femtech companies are creating treatments that account for individual differences, ensuring higher efficacy and fewer side effects.
- Education and advocacy: Beyond products, femtech companies are raising awareness about vaginal health issues, breaking stigmas and advocating for more research funding in this neglected area.
These innovations improve health outcomes and have profound implications for workplace performance and leadership.
The Ripple Effect On Female Leadership
The impact of improved vaginal health on female leadership is becoming transformative. By tackling these long-ignored health challenges, femtech companies are providing women with more support in and out of the office.
Boosting Confidence
When women have access to effective solutions for managing vaginal health, they experience fewer distractions from symptoms like pain or discomfort. This allows them to focus fully on their professional responsibilities. Improved physical well-being also enhances confidence and mental clarity—key traits for effective leadership.
Reducing Absenteeism
Chronic vaginal health issues often lead to frequent doctor visits or sick days. With accessible at-home diagnostics and treatments, femtech reduces the need for time-consuming appointments, enabling women to maintain consistent workplace presence.
Breaking Stigmas
Femtech’s focus on education helps normalize conversations around vaginal health. This reduces stigma in professional settings, allowing women leaders to advocate for their needs without fear of judgment. A culture of openness benefits not just individuals but entire organizations by fostering inclusivity.
Empowering Through Data
Data-driven insights empower women to make informed decisions about their health. This sense of control extends beyond personal well-being into professional realms, where data-backed decision-making is a hallmark of strong leadership.
Femtech companies are changing the quality of life for millions of women worldwide.
Why Businesses Should Invest In Femtech
The positive impacts of femtech extend beyond individual users to organizations as a whole:
- Improved productivity: Healthier employees mean fewer sick days and higher productivity levels.
- Diversity in leadership: By addressing barriers like poor health that disproportionately affect women, addressing these measures enables more women to ascend into leadership roles.
- Enhanced employee satisfaction: Offering benefits, including access to femtech solutions, signals a commitment to employee well-being, boosting morale and retention rates.
- Innovation opportunities: Partnering with femtech companies allows businesses to position themselves as leaders supporting gender equity and innovation.
“The way to normalize or destigmatize anything is to talk about it, to write about it, to create something about it,” Gerner concludes. “With the Vagina Business, I hope to destigmatize, normalize it further, so that not only women, but also everybody else, including in the business setting, and researchers and investors and entrepreneurs, so that everybody else feels comfortable too.”
