11 Problems To Solve In FemTech That Will Make You Rich

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“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

The Invisible Problem To Solve

Before we talk about femtech problems to solve, let’s talk about awkward conversations.

In my experience, the most effective way to make the average man squirm is to tell him, “I’m on my period.” This has always, without a doubt, evoked a long period of awkward silence, stifled confusion, and hesitant nods.

After all, blood in war and video games is fine, but please don’t go on and on about the blood coming from the female body. It’s crass, it’s gross, it’s disgusting.

On the other hand, I have found that the most effective way to make the average man hyped up is to talk about the “grind” of making money, working out, and building success (stay hard, son).

There is an interesting question for me here, as the one who has had the periods, seen the blood, survived the cramps and surfed the sea of hormones…the many “pain points” that Silicon Valley seems to mysteriously overlook.

Any female-bodied human being knows these struggles inside and out, and most men at least know vaguely that it sucks.

So why isn’t there a rush to fill the gap, to sell the proverbial “painkiller”? Why is almost nobody selling the solution to the challenges almost all women would pay boatloads of money to get rid of?

Really, there is no satisfying answer to this question. Women are huge economic drivers, and there is no reason to ignore their routine discomfort.

…Not just because it is blatantly unjust, but also because it is a huge untapped opportunity for anyone interested in making a difference and a lot of money at the same time.

If that’s you- regardless of your background, education level, or even gender (I’m looking at all you tech bros.) – read on.

Problems To Solve!

I have done the first step for you (the pleasure is mine, truly), and identified 11 problems to solve in the women’s health space.

Let’s dive in!

#1: Lack Of Data On How Menstrual Cycle Affects Overall Health.

Despite being a fundamental aspect of many individuals’ lives, academia has under-researched the menstrual cycle, leading to significant gaps in our understanding of its impact on overall health.

This lack of data hampers our ability to address various health issues effectively.

For instance, conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are linked to increased risks of heart disease and stroke. However, doctors often fail to diagnose them in time due to insufficient research and awareness.

To bridge this knowledge gap, here are some problems to solve:

Pharmacology: How do hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle impact drug metabolism, and why have clinical trials historically excluded menstruating individuals from these studies?
Sports Science: What role do cycle phases play in strength, endurance, and injury risk? How should training programs adapt to these variations?
Mental Health: Why are conditions like anxiety and depression more prevalent in menstruating individuals, and how do hormonal shifts contribute to their severity?
Workplace, Schools & Productivity: How does menstrual pain and fatigue affect cognitive function, absenteeism, and economic productivity? What metrics could be used to quantify this?
Medical Diagnostics: Why do so many reproductive disorders (PCOS, endometriosis, PMDD) take years to diagnose, and what biomarkers could improve early detection?
Sleep Science: How do menstrual phases influence sleep patterns and overall sleep quality? Could poor sleep in certain phases contribute to long-term health risks?
AI & Data Science: How can machine learning models better predict and track cycle irregularities? Why is existing menstrual tracking data often unreliable or biased?

#2: Lack Of Effective Diagnostic Tools For Endometriosis & PCOS

Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are prevalent gynecological conditions that significantly impact individuals’ quality of life. Often, this leads to chronic pain, infertility, and metabolic complications.

However, diagnosing these conditions remains challenging due to the absence of reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tools, resulting in prolonged suffering and delayed treatment.

Endometriosis: Affects approximately 10% of individuals with uteruses during their reproductive years. Diagnosis often requires invasive procedures like laparoscopy, leading to delays averaging 7 to 12 years.

PCOS: Impacts up to 10% of individuals with ovaries of reproductive age. Diagnosis is complicated and the lack of a definitive test, often relying on the exclusion of other disorders.

To address these challenges, consider the following research problems to solve:

Biomarker Discovery: What specific biomarkers can we identify in blood or menstrual fluid to facilitate non-invasive, early detection of endometriosis and PCOS?
Imaging Techniques: How can we advance imaging technologies to improve the sensitivity and specificity of detecting endometriotic lesions or polycystic ovaries without resorting to invasive methods?
Genetic Factors: What genetic predispositions contribute to the development of endometriosis and PCOS? How can we use this information to enhance diagnostic accuracy?
Artificial Intelligence: How can we train machine learning algorithms to analyze medical records? How can imaging data be used to predict and diagnose these conditions more effectively?
Patient-Reported Outcomes: How can we integrate patient-reported symptoms and histories into electronic health records improve early recognition and diagnosis?

#3: Stigma & Misinformation

Stigma and misinformation have long plagued women’s health, leading to misdiagnoses, delayed treatments, and inadequate care.

Conditions like endometriosis and menopause are often misunderstood or trivialized. This results in prolonged suffering and diminished quality of life. Similarly, menopause remains shrouded in stigma, leaving many women unprepared and unsupported during this natural life transition.

To address these challenges, consider the following interesting problems to solve relating to stigma and misinformation:

Media Studies: How do media representations of women’s health issues perpetuate stigma and misinformation? What strategies can promote accurate portrayals?
Medical Education: What gaps exist in medical training regarding women’s health? How can we improve curricula to ensure healthcare professionals are well-equipped to address these issues?
Public Health Communication: How effective are current public health campaigns in dispelling myths about conditions like endometriosis and menopause? What approaches can enhance their impact?
Sociology: In what ways do cultural norms and societal expectations contribute to the stigmatization of women’s health issues? How can community-based interventions foster open dialogue?
Psychology: What psychological effects do stigma and misinformation have on individuals experiencing women’s health issues? How can we tailor mental health support to their needs?
Policy Analysis: How do existing healthcare policies address or neglect the impact of stigma and misinformation on women’s health outcomes? What policy reforms are necessary to mitigate these issues?

#4: Safer & More Accessible Birth Control Options

Despite advancements in medical science, many individuals still face challenges in accessing birth control methods that are both safe and convenient. Traditional options like hormonal pills have remained largely unchanged for decades, leading to dissatisfaction due to side effects and health concerns. Additionally, financial barriers prevent many from obtaining modern contraceptives, underscoring the need for more affordable solutions.

To address these issues, consider the following problems to solve in the birth control space:

Pharmaceutical Research: Why has there been limited innovation in developing new contraceptive methods? What factors contribute to the stagnation in contraceptive research and development?
Male Contraception: What are the challenges hindering the development and adoption of male contraceptive methods? How can these barriers be overcome to promote shared responsibility in birth control?
Financial Accessibility: How do economic factors influence individuals’ access to preferred contraceptive methods? What policies could be implemented to make birth control universally affordable?
User Experience: What are the common side effects associated with current birth control methods? How do they impact users’ satisfaction and continuation rates?
Digital Tools: How reliable are menstrual cycle tracking apps in preventing unintended pregnancies? What improvements are necessary to enhance their effectiveness?
Education & Misinformation: How does misinformation about contraceptive methods spread through social media? What strategies can be employed to provide accurate information to the public?
Policy & Regulation: What role do governmental policies play in either facilitating or hindering access to a variety of contraceptive options? How can legislation evolve to support reproductive autonomy?

#5: Less Invasive Fertility Treatments

Traditional fertility treatments, such as conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), often require intensive hormonal stimulation and surgical procedures, leading to physical discomfort, emotional stress, and financial burdens for individuals and couples seeking to conceive. The invasiveness of these methods can deter many from pursuing treatment, underscoring the need for safer, less invasive alternatives.

To address these challenges, consider the following problems to solve regarding fertility treatment:

Microfluidic Sperm Selection: What impact does the SpermGuide device have on selecting high-quality sperm? How does it compare to traditional methods in terms of reducing invasiveness and improving outcomes?
In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG): What are the potential benefits and ethical considerations of lab-grown gametes for fertility treatments? How might IVG reduce the need for invasive procedures?

#6: Better Solutions For Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

Hot flashes and night sweats, collectively known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS), affect approximately 80% of women during menopause, significantly impacting their quality of life, daily activities, and work productivity. These symptoms can lead to sleep disturbances, mood swings, and cognitive impairments, underscoring the need for effective and accessible treatments.

To address these challenges, consider the problems to solve for those experiencing hot flashes:

Neurokinin 3 Receptor Antagonists: How effective and safe are novel medications like fezolinetant in alleviating VMS compared to traditional hormone replacement therapies?
Non-Hormonal Therapies: What is the efficacy of non-hormonal treatments, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and anticonvulsants, in managing hot flashes and night sweats?
Lifestyle Interventions: How do lifestyle modifications, including diet, exercise, and stress management, influence the frequency and severity of VMS?
Wearable Technology: Can wearable devices that monitor physiological changes provide real-time feedback and personalized strategies to manage VMS?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): What role does CBT play in mitigating the psychological impact of VMS, and how can it be integrated into standard care practices?
Workplace Accommodations: How can employers implement supportive policies and environments to assist employees experiencing VMS, thereby enhancing productivity and well-being?

#7: Personalized Hormone Therapy & Menopause Monitoring

Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, often accompanied by symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can alleviate these symptoms, its application has been met with controversy, particularly concerning dosage and potential health risks. Recent debates have arisen over high-dose HRT prescriptions, with concerns about increased risks of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the lack of personalized treatment plans often leads to suboptimal outcomes, highlighting the need for individualized approaches.

To address these challenges, consider these problems to solve relating to HRT:

Individualized Hormone Therapy: How can genetic and metabolic profiling be utilized to tailor hormone therapy, ensuring efficacy while minimizing adverse effects?
Non-Hormonal Interventions: What alternative treatments can effectively manage menopausal symptoms for women who cannot or choose not to undergo HRT?
Wearable Health Technology: How can wearable devices, such as smart rings, monitor physiological changes during menopause? What role do they play in personalizing treatment plans?
Long-Term Health Outcomes: What are the long-term effects of various HRT regimens on cognitive function and cardiovascular health?
Patient Education: How can healthcare providers improve communication to ensure women are well-informed about the benefits and risks of different menopause management strategies?

#8: Menopause Workplace Support

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, yet its impact on the workplace is often overlooked. In the UK alone, approximately 14 million working days are lost annually due to menopause-related symptoms, with around 900,000 women leaving their jobs because of inadequate support. Similarly, a 2023 Mayo Clinic study estimated that menopause symptoms contribute to an annual loss of $1.8 billion in the United States due to missed workdays…sounds like many billion-dollar problems to solve.

To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:

Policy Development: How can organizations implement effective menopause policies that provide flexible working arrangements, access to healthcare resources, and supportive environments?
Awareness and Education: What role do awareness campaigns and training programs play in reducing stigma and fostering open discussions about menopause in the workplace?
Economics: How does inadequate menopause support contribute to economic losses due to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and employee turnover?
Employee Retention: What strategies can organizations employ to retain experienced female employees who might otherwise leave due to menopause-related challenges?
Global Practices: How have different countries implemented reproductive leave policies? What lessons can be learned to support menopausal employees effectively?

#9: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Treatment

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) encompasses a range of disorders resulting from weakened or overly tight pelvic floor muscles, leading to symptoms such as urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and chronic pelvic pain.

To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:

Physical Therapy Efficacy: How can pelvic floor physical therapy protocols be optimized to effectively treat various forms of PFD, including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse?
Integration of Biofeedback: What role does biofeedback play in enhancing patient outcomes during pelvic floor muscle training? How can its application be improved?
Postpartum Interventions: What are the most effective strategies for preventing and treating PFD in postpartum women, considering the high prevalence of urinary incontinence in this group?
Impact of Physical Activity: How does engaging in high-intensity physical activities, such as heavy lifting, influence the development or exacerbation of PFD, and what preventive measures can be implemented?
Technological Innovations: How can emerging technologies, such as wearable devices or mobile applications, be utilized to support pelvic floor muscle training and improve patient adherence to treatment plans?

#10: Vaginal Microbiome Research & pH Balancing

The vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining women’s health, serving as a defense against infections and contributing to overall reproductive well-being. A balanced vaginal environment is typically dominated by Lactobacillus species, which produce lactic acid to maintain an acidic pH, thereby inhibiting the growth of pathogenic organisms. Disruptions to this balance can lead to conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), characterized by a decrease in Lactobacillus and an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria like Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella species. Recent research has identified BV as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), highlighting the importance of treating both partners to prevent recurrence.

To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:

Microbiome Composition: How do variations in the vaginal microbiome across different populations influence susceptibility to infections? What role does Lactobacillus dominance play in maintaining vaginal health?
pH Regulation Mechanisms: What are the underlying mechanisms by which Lactobacillus species regulate vaginal pH? How can this knowledge inform the development of targeted therapies to restore and maintain pH balance?
Impact of Hygiene Practices: How do common hygiene practices, such as the use of scented menstrual products, affect the vaginal microbiome and pH balance, potentially increasing the risk of infections?
Partner Treatment Strategies: What are the most effective treatment protocols for BV that involve simultaneous treatment of both partners, and how can these strategies reduce recurrence rates?
Probiotic Interventions: Can probiotic therapies effectively restore Lactobacillus dominance in the vaginal microbiome, and what are the long-term outcomes of such interventions on vaginal health?

#11: Gender Bias In Research & Funding

Gender bias in medical research and funding has led to significant disparities in healthcare outcomes for women. Historically, women were underrepresented in clinical trials, resulting in a lack of data on how treatments affect them differently than men. This exclusion has contributed to misdiagnoses and less effective treatments for women. For instance, a 2019 study revealed that when grant reviewers focused on the applicant rather than the research proposal, male principal investigators had a higher success rate (13.9%) compared to female principal investigators (9.2%).

To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:

Clinical Trial Representation: How can we ensure equitable representation of women in clinical trials to obtain accurate data on sex-specific responses to treatments?
Funding Allocation: What strategies can be implemented to eliminate gender bias in research funding decisions, ensuring that women’s health issues receive appropriate attention and resources?
Femtech Support: How does gender bias in venture capital funding affect the development of femtech innovations, and what measures can be taken to support female entrepreneurs in this sector?
Educational Reforms: In what ways can medical education be restructured to address and reduce gender biases in diagnosis and treatment?
Policy Development: How can government policies be shaped to mandate the inclusion of sex and gender analysis in all health research?

So what now?

Good question, and an important one. We all have different levels of commitment to the challenges within women’s health, and different skillsets to contribute.

That said, regardless of where you stand, there is an impact you can make.

In your professional life, make a point to ask, “where are women being excluded here?” If you can’t find an answer, just ask a female colleague. From medicine, to tech, to engineering, architecture, urban design, education, and even public transport, there are many blindspots just waiting for creative problem-solvers like you to make a difference.

But even if you are not interested in pursuing the problems to solve for women’s health through your career, one simple step you can take is to learn how to listen.

If a woman in your life (colleague, significant other, friend, daughter, co-worker, or a stranger on the street) is brave enough to open up, just be there to acknowledge their struggles and their feelings. Don’t jump to invalidate. Don’t jump to “mansplain”. Just listen. Offer your support in whatever way possible.

For some, that means buying a box of tampons and chocolate for your girlfriend when they’re on their period. For others, it means cranking up the thermostat in the office. Maybe, it’s just acknowledging that in a world so systematically biased against the female body, there is no such thing as a “hysterical woman”.

Thought to Action

Sign petitions & support legislation for more women’s health research funding.
Email universities & research institutions encouraging more studies on underfunded women’s health issues.
Donate to organizations funding women’s health research, like the WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters) Initiative or the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR).
Support crowdfunding campaigns for femtech innovations, even with small donations.
Become an early adopter—test new femtech apps and products and provide feedback.