Post No. 4 ' A Stethoscope Of One's Own - Femtech (Feminine Technology)

Published date13 October 2020
Subject MatterFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Food and Drugs Law, Biotechnology & Nanotechnology
Law FirmYigal Arnon & Co
AuthorMs Tamar Tavory

By Adv. Tamar Tavory & Itamar Netzer, MD OB/GYN

Did you know that the gynecological speculum was invented in 1845, under dubious circumstances?1 If you don't know what a speculum is, you're probably, well, a man. A speculum is the ubiquitous, uncomfortable, and often painful implement used for routine gynecological pelvic exams. But in the age of robots, AI and space medicine, has no one thought to reinvent the speculum?

For years, medical science has been based on the male physique and medications were developed without considering the unique characteristics of women. The most noteworthy example is myocardial infractions, that are often expressed differently in women than in men, leading to a delayed diagnosis in many women having a heart attack, but many differences exist in pulmonology, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases and more. In the area of clinical pharmaceutical research, many drugs were tested only on men whether out of convenience or because of the fear of administering a new drug to an unknowingly pregnant woman, and possibly compromising the fetus. In certain cases, we are only beginning to understand the full effect of drugs on women. Moreover, women's health issues, such as menstruation or childbirth, were often held as taboo, shameful or requiring concealment, and thus were not addressed adequately.

Femtech companies address women's distinct health and medical needs through various technological means: telemedicine medical apps, medical devices and more. The value of Femtech is estimated to reach $50 billion by 2025.2 Studies demonstrate that in many households, women make most of the medical decisions and decisions about shopping. Women thus exert significant purchasing power.

Femtech companies work in areas such as menstruation, pregnancy termination of pregnancy, stillbirths, menopause and sexual wellness. For example, there are Femtech companies that home deliver oral contraceptive pills and breastmilk, and digitize fertility treatments or reduce obstetric trauma. Some Femtech companies are active against diseases that affect mostly women such as autoimmune diseases, depression, osteoporosis or breast cancer.

What to Consider if You Decide to Develop a Femtech Product?

Femtech companies naturally collect sensitive data: menstrual tracking, fertility treatments, pregnancy follow-up, and sexual activity. This sensitive information legally requires an adequate level of information security, to ensure that the data are not...

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