8 Reasons You Will Regret Not Innovating For Menopause

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“A woman’s health is her greatest asset; invest in it wisely.” -Unknown

The Mystery of Menopause

The first time I heard the word “menopause”, I was 14 years old.

I remember thinking a lot of things about it. First of all, why was the word “men” in there? Second, how does it work? How do you know when it’s started, when it’s over, when you’re in the middle of it? When will it happen to me?

It was a word shrouded in mystery and hushed acknowledgement. It was complicated, poorly defined, and faraway.

But there is something we do know about menopause, and that is: it happens to women everywhere, en masse, all the time.

So, naturally, there must be a bunch of products people have designed to make the years women spend in menopause easier, right?

Well…not really.

Besides supplements, if you search up “menopause products”, you will mostly encounter a barren wasteland of search results.

This isn’t to say women experiencing perimenopause or menopause aren’t interested.

In fact, the market for “femtech” relating to all things menstruation, menopause, and female hormone cycles is ripe with demand.

Today, I’m going to give you 8 reasons why you- regardless of your field, education level, background, or gender (I’m looking at all the tech bros out there)- should fill the gap in the menopause market.

…If not just because it addresses a huge but invisible injustice in the healthcare space, because it taps into one of the largest and most powerful economic driving forces of the world- aging women.

#1: By 2025, over 1 billion women globally will be experiencing menopause.

I’ll say it now and I’ll say it again: menopause is not a niche issue.

Actually, it’s a global phenomenon that will affect over 1 billion women in 2025, according to projections from the World Health Organization (WHO).

This shift means a significant portion of the world’s population will be navigating menopausal symptoms, yet the medical and technological advancements in this space remain insufficient.

Unlike other major life transitions, menopause has historically been underfunded, understudied, and under-discussed in both the healthcare industry and society at large.

The implications of menopause extend beyond personal health—they affect workforce productivity, economic structures, and even healthcare systems.

Women in midlife represent a growing segment of the workforce, yet many face significant challenges due to unmanaged symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and cognitive changes.

The lack of comprehensive solutions often forces women to reduce work hours, take career breaks, or even leave jobs entirely, affecting financial stability and contributing to gender disparities in career advancement.

So there is an urgent need for new solutions, whether in healthcare, workplace policies, product development, or education. But innovation in this space isn’t limited to medical professionals—there’s room for entrepreneurs, technologists, designers, educators, and researchers from diverse backgrounds to make a difference.

#2: Most FemTech has been active in menstrual health and pregnancy, with midlife women’s health largely underfunded.

Over the past decade, FemTech (female-focused technology and healthcare solutions) has seen rapid growth, with billions of dollars invested in products and services aimed at menstrual health, fertility, and pregnancy.

However, midlife women’s health—especially menopause—remains significantly underfunded and underserved.

According to a Forbes report, while the global FemTech market is projected to reach $50 billion by 2025, the vast majority of funding has gone toward reproductive and maternal health, leaving menopause-related innovation lagging far behind.

This funding gap is largely due to historical biases in medical research and a lack of awareness about the widespread impact of menopause.

Despite the fact that every woman who reaches midlife will experience menopause, it has been treated as an afterthought in healthcare and innovation.

The result?

Women facing symptoms such as hot flashes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular risks, cognitive decline, and metabolic changes often struggle to find tailored solutions beyond hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which remains controversial for some due to concerns about potential risks.

The underfunding of menopause-related innovation isn’t just a problem—it’s a massive opportunity.

The market for menopause solutions is wide open, and you don’t need to be a doctor or scientist to contribute.

Entrepreneurs, researchers, and creative problem-solvers from all industries can help close the gap.

#3: Less than 2% of biomedical research funding goes toward menopause, leaving a bunch of room for innovation.

This World Economic Forum article states,“According to Imperial College London, less than 2% of medical research funding is spent on pregnancy, childbirth and female reproductive health. The statistics are abundantly clear: Women are being medically denied and left with profound unmet need.

A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for major reforms, recommending that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) establish a dedicated institute for women’s health research and that Congress provide increased funding to close the gender gap in medical research.

The World Economic Forum also highlights that the healthcare system’s failure to prioritize women’s health results in poorer medical outcomes, increased economic strain, and diminished quality of life for millions of women.

With such a glaring lack of research and funding, there’s massive potential for groundbreaking innovation—and you don’t have to be a doctor or a scientist to make an impact.

Right now, the lack of funding is a barrier—but it’s also an opportunity.

If even a fraction of the energy that’s gone into other medical research were directed toward women’s health, we could completely change how women experience midlife and beyond.

Whether through research, technology, or advocacy, there’s no better time to innovate in menopause healthcare.

#4: Menopause symptoms cost billions annually in sick days, early retirements, and decreased productivity.

Menopause, a natural phase in a woman’s life, often brings symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties. These symptoms can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life and her professional performance. Recent studies have quantified this impact, revealing substantial economic consequences for both individuals and organizations.

A comprehensive study by the Mayo Clinic estimated that menopause-related symptoms lead to an annual loss of approximately $1.8 billion in work time in the United States. When accounting for direct medical expenses, the total economic burden rises to $26.6 billion annually. The study highlighted that menopausal symptoms adversely affect work performance, with severity correlating strongly with negative work outcomes.

Beyond absenteeism, presenteeism—where employees are physically present but less productive due to health issues—also contributes to economic losses. Research indicates that women experiencing menopausal symptoms report higher levels of work impairment and increased healthcare utilization compared to those without such symptoms.

#5: Many low-income communities lack access to hormone therapy or specialist care.

Menopause is a universal experience for women, but access to effective treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and specialist care is not equally distributed.

Women in low-income communities often face significant barriers to accessing these essential health services, leading to disparities in menopause management and overall health outcomes.

Research indicates that socioeconomic status significantly influences the utilization of HRT.

A study found that women with moderate to high incomes were three times more likely to use HRT compared to those with low incomes. This disparity is attributed to factors such as lack of healthcare coverage, limited access to healthcare providers, and insufficient information about treatment options.

Additionally, women from disadvantaged backgrounds often experience an earlier onset of menopause and report more severe symptoms. Despite this increased need, they are less likely to receive appropriate care, exacerbating health inequities.

Addressing these disparities is crucial for promoting health equity and ensuring that all women have access to effective menopause management.

#6: Specialized sleep technology for menopausal women has not been developed yet.

Menopause often brings about significant sleep disturbances, with studies indicating that 40–60% of menopausal women experience sleep problems. These disturbances can severely impact quality of life, leading to fatigue, mood disorders, and decreased productivity. Despite the prevalence of these issues, there remains a notable gap in the development of specialized sleep technologies tailored specifically for menopausal women.

While general sleep aids and cooling products exist, few are explicitly designed to address the unique challenges posed by menopause-related sleep disturbances.

For instance, some companies have introduced cooling mattresses and temperature-regulating bedding aimed at alleviating night sweats and hot flashes. However, these solutions are often generalized and not specifically tailored to the menopausal demographic.

Moreover, comprehensive wearable devices that monitor sleep patterns in conjunction with menopausal symptoms are still underrepresented in the market.

#7: Most meal planning services and food products overlook the needs of women experiencing menopause.

Nutrition plays a major role in managing menopausal symptoms, yet most meal planning and food product development overlook the needs of this demographic.

This oversight leaves a substantial gap in the market for solutions tailored to alleviate menopause symptoms and promote overall health during this transitional phase.

During menopause, decreased estrogen levels can lead to various health concerns, including bone density loss, increased cardiovascular risk, and weight gain. Incorporating specific nutrients, such as increased calcium, phytoestrogens, vitamin D, and omega 3 fatty acids into the diet can help mitigate these risks.

The limited availability of menopause-focused meal planning services presents a significant opportunity for innovation.

#8: Menopause increases the risks of many chronic diseases.

Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, characterized by the cessation of menstrual cycles and a decline in estrogen levels. This hormonal shift is associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases, making it a critical period for proactive health management.

Below are just a few examples of the health risks menopausal and postmenopausal women face.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

The decline in estrogen during menopause contributes to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Estrogen is known to have a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels.

Its reduction leads to changes in body composition and lipid metabolism, increasing the risk of conditions such as coronary heart disease and stroke. Research indicates that women experience a notable increase in CVD risk during midlife, coinciding with the menopausal transition.

Osteoporosis

Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density.

Post-menopausal women experience accelerated bone loss, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

The World Health Organization notes that the loss of bone density at menopause significantly contributes to higher rates of osteoporosis and fractures among women.

Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes

Menopause is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. This elevates the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The hormonal changes during menopause can lead to visceral obesity, insulin resistance, and unfavorable lipid profiles.

Thought to Action

Normalize conversations about menopause. Menopause is still a taboo topic in many cultures. A layperson can help break the stigma by discussing menopause openly with friends, family, and colleagues.
Advocate for menopause-friendly workplaces. Many women suffer in silence at work due to symptoms like brain fog, sleep disturbances, and hot flashes. Let’s push for workplace policies that support menopausal employees. Supporting HR initiatives or signing petitions for legislative changes can make a real difference.
Support organizations focusing on menopause research. Men and women alike can back businesses and researchers focusing on menopause. For example, support can be investing, sharing their work, or simply choosing products that benefit menopausal women. If an entrepreneur in his network is working on a menopause-related innovation, he can offer mentorship or support.
Be a listener without jumping to being a “fixer”. Sometimes, we just need someone to listen without judgment. If a woman in your life shares her struggles with menopause, resist the urge to offer solutions unless she asks for them. Just acknowledging her experience with a simple “That sounds really challenging. How can I support you?” can go a long way.
Be curious, kind, and present. Whether it’s attending a menopause-awareness talk, joining a couple’s health checkup, or just being present when she’s struggling, showing up without making menopause feel like a taboo subject helps remove stigma.