Menopause Tech Offers New Solutions

Beyond the Hot Flush: The New Tech Empowering Women Through Menopause

A single moment in 2019 marked a profound shift for Debbie Dickinson. At her home in Miami, Florida, the then 55-year-old had her initial encounter with a hot flush, a bewildering sensation that left her puzzled about the changes happening within her body. A sudden moment of clarity soon followed, bringing the realisation that a significant biological shift was underway: the menopause. This personal turning point sparked a journey not just for understanding, but for innovation, setting the stage for a technological revolution aimed at a life stage historically shrouded in silence and stigma.

A Long Overdue Conversation

For generations, the menopause was a topic relegated to whispers, a natural biological process framed as something to be endured quietly. This cultural silence left many, like Debbie, feeling unprepared for its arrival. She attributes this lack of knowledge to pervasive social disapproval and prejudice against aging, surrounding a transition that is, in reality, perfectly natural. The menopause signifies when a woman's menstrual cycle ceases, a milestone that typically happens when she reaches approximately 51 years of age, but its effects can begin years earlier and vary dramatically from one individual to another.

The Spark of an Idea

Driven by her own disorienting experiences, including one particularly intense hot flush while inside her vehicle, Debbie envisioned a practical solution. Previously an executive with the healthcare corporation Johnson & Johnson, she possessed the connections and acumen to turn her idea into reality. The concept was for a small, wearable gadget that would offer immediate relief, empowering women to manage their symptoms discreetly and effectively. This idea would soon materialise into a tangible piece of technology, poised to change the daily lives of many.

From Concept to Cooling Bracelet

Leveraging her extensive network within the healthcare sector, Debbie successfully secured $1.5 million in funding. She assembled a dedicated group of engineers, medical professionals, and researchers to develop her vision. The result was Thermaband, a wristband paired with a connected app designed to offer on-demand thermal regulation. This innovative bracelet is more than just a cooling device; it represents a new frontier in personalised menopause management, where technology meets biology to restore comfort and control.

The Science of Thermaband

An artificial intelligence system is at the core of the Thermaband. This smart system continuously tracks the user's body temperature, learning their unique thermal patterns. Upon detecting the tell-tale signs of an impending hot flush, it generates a cooling feeling on the sensitive skin of the wrist. This targeted cooling can help mitigate the intensity and duration of the flush. Conversely, the device has a feature to produce gentle warmth, offering comfort during chills that can sometimes follow.

More Than Just Temperature

Beyond its primary cooling and heating functions, the Thermaband ecosystem offers a more holistic approach to wellness. The device also keeps a record of key biometrics, including blood pressure and cardiac rhythm, providing a comprehensive overview of the user's health. All of this information is collated and presented within the connected smartphone app, allowing women to monitor their bodies' changes and share precise information with their healthcare providers, fostering more informed and productive conversations about their health.

A New Era of Awareness

The emergence of technologies like Thermaband coincides with a significant cultural shift. Following a long period of general unawareness, conversations surrounding menopause are finally entering the mainstream. In the United Kingdom, this has been catalysed by well-known advocates such as the television personality Davina McCall. Her candid 2021 Channel Four documentary, "Sex, Myths and the Menopause," broke down barriers and encouraged countless women to seek information and support, creating what many have called the 'Davina effect'.

The Political Frontline

This newfound awareness has also ignited political action. Conservative MP Caroline Nokes has been a vocal advocate for better menopause support in the workplace. She spearheaded a campaign allowing women with severe symptoms to request leave from their jobs, arguing it is a critical issue of gender and age equality. Despite these efforts, in January 2023, the United Kingdom's government denied a test program for menopause leave in England, a decision that was met with significant disappointment from campaigners.

The Rise of Femtech

While political change proves slow, the technology sector is moving rapidly. An increasing number of technology companies, often led by women, are entering the menopause space, introducing items that provide assistance and comfort. This burgeoning industry, dubbed "femtech," is addressing a long-neglected market. The global femtech market is projected to experience substantial growth, reflecting a rising demand for digital health solutions tailored to women's specific needs.

A Burgeoning Market

The broader menopause support industry, which includes everything from hormonal treatments to nutritional aids, is already substantial and is projected to swell in global value in the coming years. Projections estimate its worth will climb from $16.9 billion this year to $24.4 billion by 2030. This economic forecast underscores the immense demand for solutions and the significant business opportunity that companies are now recognising in providing better care and support for this demographic.

Digital Health in Hand

Monika Scott, a 46-year-old operations manager from London, has used the UK digital health application Peppy for several years to navigate her symptoms. A significant problem for her has been sleeplessness, which left her exhausted and irritable. She also endured other common symptoms like dry skin and unusually heavy periods. Inspired by her sister's difficult menopause journey, she decided to explore the support offered by the digital platform, finding a resource to help manage this challenging phase.

Personalised Digital Support

The Peppy app provides users with a suite of tools designed to offer comprehensive support. It enables private video or text consultations with qualified menopause experts, giving women direct access to professional advice. The platform also offers structured courses, a library of on-demand educational videos, and live online events. This multi-faceted approach allows users to access information and support in a way that best suits their lifestyle and individual needs.

Expert Endorsement and Caution

Dr Phillipa Kay, a general practitioner with expertise in menopause, thinks that the majority of new technology is helping to empower women. She views access to good, verified information as a powerful tool. According to Dr Kay, applications for tracking symptoms are particularly useful, helping people to understand the links between various physical and emotional changes they might not have otherwise associated with menopause. However, she also advises caution, noting that the topic's current trendiness may attract businesses looking to profit from women's health without offering substantiated solutions.

Sourcing Reliable Information

With a surge of new products and information flooding the market, discerning credible advice from commercial opportunism can be challenging. For women inside the United Kingdom seeking reliable, evidence-based information, Dr Kay recommends the official NHS website as a primary resource. This ensures that individuals are making health decisions based on verified medical guidance, rather than marketing claims. This step is crucial before investing time or money into any new app or device.

Identifying a Market Gap

Andrea Berchowitz, co-founder of Stella, a different UK menopause application, identified an unfilled niche while researching business opportunities in female wellness. She observed that the femtech landscape was still heavily dominated by fertility and period-tracking applications. This realisation highlighted the vast, underserved population of women navigating perimenopause and menopause, who were in need of dedicated digital tools and support systems.

Tailored Treatment Plans

Stella was developed to offer highly individualized care regimens. The app combines its tailored plans with weekly coaching designed to address a user's specific symptoms. A key feature is its ability to help facilitate informed discussions around hormone therapy (HRT). Andrea Berchowitz emphasises that this tailored assistance is essential because every woman's experience is unique. A strategy for difficulty sleeping will differ greatly from an approach needed for low mood or incontinence.

The Future is Artificial Intelligence

Stella is now planning to enhance the AI software that operates its application. The goal is to better analyse user data to establish which combinations of treatments and lifestyle adjustments could work most effectively for specific symptoms or symptom clusters. This data-driven approach aims to move beyond generic advice and offer predictive, personalised recommendations, potentially revolutionising how menopause care is delivered and experienced.

Menopause in the Workplace

A significant focus for London-based Stella is partnering directly with companies. The aim is for businesses to offer the application as a component of their human resources and employee wellness policies. Andrea Berchowitz firmly believes that women should not have to bear an additional financial burden for this essential support. The company is finding a receptive audience, as more workplaces recognise the importance of supporting their employees through this life stage to retain valuable talent.

Corporate Trailblazers

Several major UK businesses and entities have already taken proactive steps by introducing menopause policies. The clothing retailer Barbour is among the companies that have signed up to offer the Stella app to their staff. Other partners include Betterspace and Heka, both platforms that enable firms to provide their employees with a wide range of health and wellness services. These partnerships signal a growing corporate understanding of menopause as a workplace issue.

Practical Workplace Adjustments

Beyond digital support, companies are making tangible changes. The supermarket chain Tesco now offers specific menopause training and last year redesigned its staff uniform, introducing a more lightweight, breathable fabric to help with hot flushes. The Royal Mail has also implemented menopause training for its managers. Meanwhile, the Co-Op has produced a specialized guide for menopause support, demonstrating a commitment to creating a more inclusive and understanding work environment.

A Global Call for Change

The push for workplace support is not confined to the UK. Globally, there are approximately 657 million women aged between 45 and 59, with around half of them actively participating in the labour force. International bodies now recognise that supporting menopausal employees is a crucial aspect of gender and age equality. Retaining experienced women in the workforce is not just about fairness; it is essential for securing valuable skills and talent for the economy.

The User Experience

Returning to Miami, Debbie Dickinson reports that the Thermaband has made a tangible difference in her own life. She finds that it effectively alleviates the discomfort of hot flushes, causing the symptoms to seem shorter and significantly less intense. For her, the device has transformed a challenging and often disruptive experience into something far more comfortable and manageable, demonstrating the real-world impact that thoughtful innovation can have on daily life.