Femtechs & the fight against Gender Bias in Women's Health Care

Women are often dismissed when it comes to their own health concerns. Gender bias affects the way women are diagnosed and receive care, and when you add the intersection of race, it can be even worse. Women have historically been ignored by medical professionals, leaving them without access to proper care and diagnosis. This has serious consequences for women’s health and well-being. Fortunately, there are now female health companies and“Femtechs” that are fighting back against this gender bias by developing innovative products and services specifically designed to meet the needs of female bodies. Let’s take a look at why Femtechs are so important in the battle against gender bias in female health care.

Gender bias is the differential treatment of individuals based on their gender or sex. In the context of healthcare, this means that men are typically seen as more important than women when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. As a result, women often have to push harder than men to get access to proper care or even be taken seriously when they express health concerns.

Women are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed due to gender biases held by medical professionals. Studies show that doctors tend to overlook signs of physical illness in women such as heart disease or stroke because they are not perceived as being “typical” male ailments. This often results in delayed treatments which can lead to further complications down the road. When race is added into the mix, the effects of gender bias can become even more pronounced for some women—particularly those who belong to minority groups such as Black or Hispanic women. Studies show that these women face an increased risk for being misdiagnosed due to implicit biases held by medical professionals relating both to their gender and their racial identity. If you want to dive into these issues, read my article “Uncovering the Grim Reality of Gender Bias in Healthcare: How to Advocate for Change”.

One of the key reasons why Femtechs have been so successful is that they often focus on closing gaps in data and research related to women’s health. For example, many Femtech companies collect data from thousands of users on a variety of topics related to women’s health, such as fertility, pregnancy, and menopause, among others. This data can then be used to develop new technologies and products that are tailored specifically for women. This type of research is essential if we want to make sure that women get the best possible care when it comes to their health. Many Femtechs, also assign their initial investment to research and development, opening a new path for future solutions.

Another important role that Femtech companies play is creating new products for women's health. This can range from things like wearable devices designed to track menstrual cycles or ovulation patterns, to apps designed to help manage stress levels or create personalized diet plans. These types of products can not only make it easier for women to take control of their own health but also provide healthcare providers with valuable insight into how certain conditions may affect individual patients differently based on gender. They are also advancing treatment options for women by researching new drugs and treatments specifically designed for female-specific issues such as endometriosis or postpartum depression. In many cases, these treatments may even be more effective than traditional ones because they target the root cause rather than just treating symptoms or supplying temporary relief.

The effects of bias on healthcare are real, particularly for those belonging to minority groups who experience additional disparities in terms of diagnosis and treatment options available to them. It’s important that we recognize these issues and work towards creating solutions that promote equitable access for all. Femtech companies are playing a crucial role in the fight against gender bias in healthcare by providing data-driven solutions tailored specifically for women’s needs and circumstances. By creating products and services designed with female users in mind and advancing treatment options for female-specific issues, these companies can help ensure that all people receive equal access to quality healthcare regardless of gender or other factors beyond their control. Ultimately, this could lead us one step closer towards true equality within our society when it comes to medical care –– something we should all strive towards!