All about FemTech: apps, gadgets, and startups for women

FemTech is a segment of technology focused on women's health and well-being. It includes apps, gadgets, services, and solutions that help track menstrual cycles, pregnancy, reproductive health, hormonal balance, and other aspects of women's health.

Why FemTech is important
In recent years, FemTech has become one of the fastest-growing areas in healthcare and technology business. It involves technologies and products that help women take care of their health and well-being. Previously, medicine primarily focused on the male body, so many women's health issues were underestimated. FemTech apps and gadgets allow users to track cycles, hormones, sleep, and overall condition, as well as detect potential problems early and consult a doctor. Moreover, this sector is growing as a market and helps improve women's quality of life by making health more accessible and understandable.

The term was coined by Ida Tin in 2016 to describe solutions related to the reproductive system, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, and reproductive health.

Main reasons for the popularity of FemTech:
— increased awareness of women's health
— growing demand for personalized solutions
— development of wearable devices and mobile applications
— support from investors and venture funds.

Main areas of FemTech

1. Menstrual and reproductive health
   Apps for cycle tracking, gadgets for hormone control, and devices for fertility monitoring help women plan pregnancies and better understand their bodies.
   
2. Pregnancy and childbirth
   Platforms for pregnancy monitoring, apps with recommendations on nutrition, exercises, and fetal development, as well as online consultation services with doctors.
   
3. Reproductive health and contraception
   Technologies for choosing suitable contraception, tracking reproductive health, and solutions for preventing diseases.
   
4. Menopause and hormonal health
   Products and apps supporting women during menopause, focusing on symptoms, hormonal balance, and lifestyle.
   
5. Mental health
   Platforms for psycho-emotional support, coaching, and stress management, taking into account the specifics of women's psychology.

Popular FemTech companies

Popular startups worldwide include:

— Elvie — a British FemTech brand that creates technologies for women's health. They offer compact and silent breast pumps that can be worn discreetly under clothing, pelvic floor trainers, and smart baby swings.

— Clue — an app that helps track menstrual cycles, symptoms, mood, and energy levels. It provides predictions and helps users better understand their bodies.

— Flo — a similar tracking app where users can keep a cycle diary, record their well-being, and receive health and hormonal balance advice.

— Natural Cycles — an app for tracking fertility and ovulation using temperature measurement and algorithms, helping users plan or prevent pregnancy.

The FemTech startup sector is also developing in Central Asia:

— Mama Space — a digital platform created to support women during pregnancy and after childbirth. The startup has already participated in international programs and competitions, received regional awards, and aims to become one of the leading parenting apps in Central Asia, eventually expanding to global markets.

— Take Care Mom — a startup and social project building an AI platform to support mothers, including health tracking, postpartum mental health support, and assistance for parents, offering technological solutions for women, especially young mothers.

— Lidavex Inc. — a project focused on technologically improving women's health and maternal care using advanced medical devices.

The ecosystem supporting women founders is also developing. In Kazakhstan, a women's venture fund and communities such as Women in Tech are being launched, helping startups founded by women, including those in HealthTech and FemTech, secure funding and grow.