FemTech Untapped is an online program and a global movement tapping into areas of women’s health that have long been underserved, underresearched, and underfunded. In 2022, the program will be covering a wide range of topics with a goal to educate and destigmatize areas of FemTech that still remain “untapped”.
Join in every month for a series of events where the team will cover topics from diversity and inclusion in the femtech space, to menstrual health and sextech, to mental and cardiovascular health for women and underrepresented audiences and groups in the healthcare space.
About “Holistic approach to better menstrual health”
Menstrual health is much more than just menstruation. According to UNICEF, it encompasses the broader impacts of the psychological, socio-political and environmental factors that accompany menstruation on mental, physical, and emotional health.
Menstruation is a natural fact of life and a monthly occurrence for the 1.8 billion girls, women, transgender men and non-binary persons of reproductive age and, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 90% of them experience premenstrual symptoms.
At least 20% of people with PMS are experiencing debilitating symptoms due to chronic conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS, and fibroids. Studies show hormonal contraceptives, very often used to alleviate symptoms of PMS and painful periods, could impact mood and be linked to increased rates of depression and breast cancer.
Globally, at least 500 million menstruators lack adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management according to World Bank.
A holistic approach to better menstrual health is needed; an approach that will include education, addressing stigmas and taboos; an approach that guarantees every menstruator has access to menstrual hygiene products and teaches them how to better understand their menstrual health; an approach that allows them to learn about different products and solutions so that they can make more informed decisions about their own bodies and their own health.
SPEAKERS
- Lulu Ge, founder and CEO of Elix
- Anne Marie Jukic, Principal Investigator at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- Seung Min Lee, co-founder of INERTIA