Introduction

Imagine a world where tampons not only serve their traditional purpose but also boost women’s sexual health. Enter Daughters of Mars, a brand creating tampons infused with pH-friendly ingredients that help combat vaginal infections like thrush.

Wouldn’t it be revolutionary for women to test their own urine for breast cancer or menstrual blood for indicators of diabetes, endometriosis, and HPV? The innovative Blue Box, featuring an “electronic nose,” is already paving the way in breast cancer detection.

And when it comes to pregnancy, what woman wouldn’t prefer to use breathe ilo's handheld device to ascertain ovulation over using traditional urine tests?

The Femtech Revolution

These examples showcase the groundbreaking realm of femtech—a sector dedicated to developing technological solutions aimed specifically at women’s health, which encompasses everything from maternal health and menstrual cycles to fertility, menopause, and even conditions like cardiovascular diseases that disproportionately affect women.

With women comprising approximately 50% of the global population and studies indicating they spend about 29% more on healthcare than men, it’s no surprise that femtech has captured the attention of market analysts, who project it will be the “next big phenomenon.” Currently valued at an impressive $28 billion and projected to grow to $60 billion by 2027, femtech’s growth trajectory looks promising.

Challenges and Disparities in Funding

However, behind the shining numbers lies a darker reality. Femtech receives a mere 1-2% of total health technology funding. Between 2011 and 2021, only 4% of FDA-approved medical technologies targeted specifically female health issues in the United States. Mo Carrier, co-founder of MyBliss, expressed that “being a female founder of a femtech company put me at a huge disadvantage.” In a recent funding round, a male investor dismissed her product as “too niche” solely because it targeted menopausal women, choosing instead to invest in yet another productivity app.

Obstacles and Censorship

Even once funding is secured, femtech companies encounter obstacles that their male-focused counterparts rarely face. Béa Fertility, an innovative at-home fertility kit, was informed by Amazon that it couldn’t use terms like “vagina” or “vaginal canal” in its product listings—terms that simply wouldn’t warrant the same scrutiny if they were about male anatomy.

The censorship stretches across the board. Online sexual wellness company Knude Society found itself burdened with exorbitantly priced insurance policies, which delayed their market entry and caused potential losses. Even Hanx, a female-focused sexual wellness brand, struggled to find a reliable payment provider. “One bank refused us,” shared co-founder Farah Kabir. “Another shut us down just 48 hours after our launch.” Such hurdles are perceived to be linked to the nature of their products.

The CensHERship Campaign

A UK-based campaign called CensHERship has emerged to combat these repeated injustices. Research conducted by the campaign revealed alarming findings: 100% of responding femtech companies dealt with issues tied to censorship and discrimination. Many reported denied banking services, account closures, and excessive scrutiny—leading to significant revenue losses and increased operational costs.

Clio Wood, co-founder of CensHERship, pointed out that “the amount of time and money femtech companies waste trying to resolve these issues significantly sets them back and, in too many cases, destroys them altogether.”

Marketing Hurdles

For those femtech companies managing to overcome these barriers, new challenges lurk around the corner. Many have found marketing their innovative solutions to be an uphill battle. Carrier remarked, “The internet is flooded with ads for erectile dysfunction remedies, yet we’ve given up trying to post online ads because they’re constantly taken down or shadow-banned.” Daye, known for its diagnostic tampons, shares a similar struggle—having invested up to £100,000 monthly across major advertising platforms, only to face regular bans and blocks on their content.

Growing Support and Future Outlook

On a positive note, female founders are rising to counter these challenges, particularly in the UK, which now boasts 770 femtech companies—second only to the US. Organizations such as Femtech Lab, Women of Wearables, and the Oxford Femtech Society are sprouting across the nation, providing much-needed support to companies focused on women’s health.

Rachel Bartholomew from Femtech Across Borders noted government backing is on the rise, fueling innovation in the sector. Tara Attfield-Tomes, founder of The 51% Club, emphasized the need for collective support of these pioneering women. “We have this wave of women who feel empowered to invent and innovate despite these challenges,