Menopause and How Femtechs are Changing the Game

It’s time to end the silence surrounding menopause. We've all heard stories of hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats associated with "the change" - but what else is there? To many women entering this new stage of life, it can seem like an intimidating phase full of complicated emotions and physical changes--all while feeling alone and misunderstood. But instead of embracing misconceptions or succumbing to jokes about ‘losing our minds’ in midlife, let's have a real conversation about what menopause looks like–so we can gain insight into ourselves, reclaim our health on our terms, and break the stigma attached to aging for good.

Physical Changes

Menopause often brings on physical changes such as hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex, fatigue, and insomnia. These symptoms can vary from person to person and may not be experienced by everyone. It is important to recognize that these are natural changes happening in your body—not an illness or something we should be ashamed of! Being open to discussing these symptoms can help us develop an effective plan for managing them.

Emotional Changes

Menopause also involves emotional changes such as anxiety and depression. This is due in part to the hormonal fluctuations that take place during this time in a woman’s life. Hormonal imbalance can cause dramatic mood swings which can be difficult to deal with if we don't know what's causing them. It is important to talk openly about how we are feeling so that we can get the help and support we need during this time. It is also important to practice self-care by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet full of whole foods. These lifestyle choices will go a long way towards keeping our hormones balanced and reducing any unpleasant side effects caused by menopause.

Menopause doesn't have to be an uncomfortable taboo topic anymore; instead it should be seen as an opportunity for growth . By recognizing the signs associated with menopause—both physical and emotional—and getting the support we need , we can break down any stigma attached to aging while reclaiming our health on our terms . We are strong women capable of anything —and it's time we start talking about "the change" openly so we can learn from each other! By having honest conversations about menopause we can gain invaluable insight into ourselves and create a healthier future for generations of women yet to come!

The stigma and shame only hurts us more

It seems tho, this stigma and shame associated with the symptoms has left us not getting the correct treatment we need. A study of 1,039 women across the United States showed that 29% women never sought information about menopause before experiencing it, and 45% did not know the difference between perimenopause and menopause. It also showed that 20% of women had symptoms for a year or more before being formally assessed or diagnosed as menopausal, and 73% were not currently treating their symptoms. This lack of information can leave us suffering with symptoms that are more easily managed. For example, 61% of menopausal women report vaginal dryness contributes to painful sex, yet 41% of them never use lubricants or sex aids during sex with a partner. We shouldn't ignore these symptoms, as 84% of people say it interferes heavily with their daily lives.

Having the courage to ask for treatment and support isn't the only issue. The study showed that even after seeking help from their provider, almost 3 out of 4 women who experience menopausal symptoms are left untreated. It's a staggering number for a life phase that lasts an average of 7 years, and is experienced by about half the global population.

Femtechs can change the game

Femtech companies are utilizing technology to provide us with access to the information we need to understand what is happening during menopause and manage our symptoms effectively. Many femtech companies offer comprehensive online programs that provide detailed information about menopause, as well as personalized advice from experienced health professionals. These programs provide users with an easy-to-understand overview of menopause and its symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, weight gain, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and cognitive decline.

In addition to providing educational resources for menopause, femtech companies are developing innovative tools and products to help us manage our symptoms.

For instance, the Stella App helps relieve some symptoms by advising on long-term lifestyle changes using cognitive behavioral therapy, pelvic floor physiotherapy, mindfulness and stress management techniques.

The Peppy App offers support for every menopause journey including perimenopause and postmenopause. They also offer an 8 week course on managing this symptoms. The Ema App connects you to the friends you need and the wellness support you can trust. Ema is an empathetic AI guide from fertility to menopause. Her role is to offer support and assistance with women's health to help reduce anxiety.

Ovia Health, a digital health platform for family care, is expanding its platform to include menopause-focused offerings. Users will be able to track symptoms and access educational content, treatment options and tips on communicating with physicians.

Joylux is a guide to effective and hormone free ways to deal with the symptoms of menopause. With their products, we can improve pelvic floor strength, vaginal tone, and sexual function.

Issviva connects women who can help guide and support us through our hormonal journey. They also provide a quiz with tailored advice, information and product recommendations.

All of these tools enable us to stay informed about what is happening in our bodies so we can take appropriate action when needed.

As you can see, in addition to developing products designed specifically for managing menopausal symptoms, femtech companies are also creating supportive communities where women can connect with one another and share stories about our experiences during this challenging time in life. These communities often provide a safe space for members to discuss sensitive topics such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or alternative treatments like acupuncture or herbal remedies without fear of judgment or stigma. The goal is to empower us by offering access to accurate information about available treatments as well as support from others who understand what they’re going through on a personal level—something that traditional medical settings cannot always provide.

The emergence of femtech companies has been a game changer for many people navigating the complex terrain of menopausal transition. By providing accessible resources tailored specifically for those dealing with this stage of life’s journey, these organizations have made it easier for women everywhere to gain the knowledge we need in order to make informed decisions about managing our health during this unique period in life. In addition, the supportive networks created by these companies have enabled countless individuals around the world—many who may otherwise have felt isolated—to find comfort in knowing that they’re not alone on this journey. Femtech is truly changing lives!