First Impressions and Period Pains in Switzerland
Imagine stepping into Switzerland, not just for its picturesque landscapes but for something more groundbreaking.
That's my reality as I attend a FemTech conference in Lausanne, diving headfirst into the world of women's health technology. Balancing my day job, I took two days off this week to attend. It's my first visit to the country, coinciding with nurturing a side hustle in FemTech, which I'm passionately building alongside my partner, Ida.
Amid the innovative ambiance of the EPFL campus (and the personal challenge of managing period pain on the third day of my menstrual cycle), I find myself enveloped in a sense of optimism and possibility.
Facing the Facts: The Gaps in Women's Health
At the conference, eye-opening data revealed deep-seated issues in women's healthcare.
A shocking 96% of drugs are overprescribed for women, with dosages too high for their needs. Women also face a significant delay in diagnosis for over 700 diseases, a disparity that can have serious health consequences. Research bias is another concern. For example, there are six times more studies focused on male infertility than female reproductive issues.
Additionally, conditions like endometriosis, affecting 10% of women, lack effective diagnostics and treatment, highlighting an urgent need for innovation in women’s health.
Our Contribution: HerCycle's Mission in FemTech
At the heart of our mission is HerCycle, a revolutionary mobile app designed to align women with their menstrual cycle through personalized lifestyle recommendations.
We're not just creating an app; we're fostering a deeper understanding and connection with one's own body. HerCycle aims to empower menstruators by providing insights into how their cycle affects various aspects of life, from mood to physical well-being.
It's more than just tracking – it's about adapting and thriving in sync with your body’s natural rhythms.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
This conference is more than just an annual gathering; it's a catalyst for a larger movement.
Witnessing the growing interest and development of solutions in women's health gives me hope. We're not only talking about incremental improvements; we're laying the groundwork for a future where women's health is understood, supported, and prioritized across generations.
Join the Movement: Be a Part of HerCycle's Evolution
We're calling on menstruators aged 20 to 40 to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of women's health. Your participation in our prototype testing is crucial. Click here to join our prototype testing and add your unique perspective to our development process. This is your chance to directly influence a product designed for women, by women. Plus, keep an eye out for our upcoming Kickstarter campaign. We're eager to reveal more details soon on how you can further support this exciting venture into women's health tech.
💬 Quote of the Week
We’re drowning in ideas but starving for execution. - Tim Denning
📘 Weekly Read & Tech Tidbit
Article Highlight: Not an article but a recent podcast episode from The Daily by The New York Times. The episode was a one-year review of the US after Roe v. Wade was overturned. The results were surprising.
Tech Spotlight: I got the ReMarkable 2 with the Type Folio (keyboard) and pencil two months ago and it’s pretty awesome! It’s an e-ink writing tablet for reading documents and textbooks, sketching and note-taking that attempts to fully replicate paper writing. I thought I would regret swapping my iPad Pro for this device but not at all. I highly recommend it for professionals, creatives and software developers alike. Click here to find out more.