Did you know women’s health receives only a sliver of research funding compared to men’s? We’re talking about life-altering gaps in care. But the FemTech industry is gearing up to change that narrative. In a fiery episode of the B The Way Forward podcast, Dr. Brittany Barreto, host of The FemTech Focus Podcast, joins Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President & CEO of AnitaB.org, to expose the often overlooked and underfunded world of women’s health. Buckle up — because this conversation is a wake-up call.

“Women’s lives are on the line.”

To get really real: only 4% of pharmaceutical R&D is dedicated to women’s health overall. Meanwhile, 2% focuses solely on the prostate, just one portion of the male anatomy. These statistics highlight a gap and underscore a systemic neglect that’s costing lives.

“This is really critical because, in the most extreme sense, women’s lives are on the line. They’re literally dying due to the lack of diagnostics or accurate treatments to help them,” says Dr. Barreto. And it’s true—when half the population is an afterthought in medical research, it’s time to sound the alarm.

FemTech Benefits Women’s Health Beyond Periods and Pregnancy

FemTech (Female Technology) covers innovations targeting health issues that affect women and girls, or anyone with a vagina, regardless of gender identity. But it’s not just about periods or pregnancy — it’s about comprehensive care that meets unique needs. Dr. Barreto emphasizes:

“Women aren’t just menstruators and pregnant. FemTech is also heart disease… the way cardiovascular disease manifests biologically looks a lot different in males and females. The standard blood tests used in urgent care to diagnose heart attacks? They’re calibrated for male biology, leaving women misdiagnosed.”

The disparities in women’s health are glaring. Imagine this: a woman undergoing radiation for gynecological cancer might have her vaginal walls essentially “melt shut” without proper intervention. Often, doctors resort to makeshift solutions like stuffing a medical glove with gauze as a vaginal stent. Meanwhile, the treatment options for men’s health issues are well-funded and highly specialized. In Dr. Barreto’s words, “If women’s vaginas are melting shut, why are we talking about anything else?!”

The Real Barriers to Progress Are Foundational Ideologies

Let’s cut to the chase: male-dominated decision-making in venture capital and medical research is stalling progress. Most investors — predominantly men — shy away from topics like heavy menstrual bleeding or endometriosis, opting to fund projects they can relate to instead.

“Investors predominantly are male, especially the decision-makers at the biggest venture firms,” Dr. Barreto notes. “If you’re not personally motivated to discuss uterine fibroids or chapped nipples during breastfeeding, you’re not putting your money there.”

Add to this the lack of diagnostic codes for conditions like ovarian cancer, which limits insurance coverage for new FemTech solutions. Startups are forced to sell directly to consumers, often pricing out lower-income women who desperately need these innovations. It’s a cycle of neglect and inaccessibility that must be broken.

The High Cost of Ignoring Women’s Health

Ignoring women’s health is bad business—literally. Women make up half the workforce, and their well-being is directly tied to productivity. Yet chronic pain, misdiagnoses, and untreated conditions lead to work absences and decreased performance. Dr. Barreto drives this point home:

“It’s not just about the implications for women, but for our economy and businesses. When your workforce isn’t well, it affects the bottom line. Health issues that go unaddressed have a ripple effect on productivity and profitability.”

That’s why investing in FemTech is more than a health intervention; it’s an economic strategy. Employers who provide robust health benefits can attract and retain top female talent, enhancing overall business performance. It’s a win-win that too many companies are ignoring.

The Potential of FemTech as it Grows

Despite the barriers, the FemTech industry is proving its worth. Startups in this space are exiting twice as fast and with higher valuations than many other health tech ventures. Pharmaceutical giants are catching on, buying out FemTech startups for their innovative solutions, a sign that they provide huge possibilities.

“This is potentially the best-kept secret in healthcare,” Dr. Barreto says. “Pharma has decided instead of creating their own internal innovations, they’ll seek external ones.”

Consider Rachel Bartholomew’s Hyivy, a pelvic floor massage tool for cancer survivors, or Awkward Essentials’ post-sex sponge. These aren’t gimmicks; they’re game-changing solutions addressing real, unspoken needs. This is the kind of ingenuity FemTech brings to the table—but it requires visibility and investment to truly take off.

How You Can Boost Awareness and Advocate

It starts with smashing the silence. Stop hiding tampons up your sleeve. Normalize conversations about menstruation, menopause, and other women’s health topics. Awareness leads to advocacy, which drives change.

“One suggestion I always give people is stop hiding your tampon in your sleeves — put it on your freaking desk,” Dr. Barreto says. “We hide it so well, we blend in. Let them know this is what’s happening. I’m here being a boss-ass lady, oh by the way, I need to use the restroom. Those can coexist.”

Get involved with organizations like Aunt Flow, which provides free menstrual products in schools, or advocate for FemTech innovations in your workplace and community.

Women’s health is everyone’s health. The FemTech industry is poised to revolutionize care, but it needs collective support to dismantle systemic biases and secure investment. Let’s stop settling for the status quo. Let’s demand better. Join AnitaB.org Membership and be a part of a community of women empowering women.

Because when women thrive, we all thrive.

For more of Dr. Barreto check out …

Instagram: @drbrittanybarreto | @femtechfocus

X: @drbrittb | @femtech_focus | @fhinsights

LinkedIn: @brittanybarreto | FemTech Focus | FemHealth Insights

For more conversations with change-makers who are revolutionizing the tech space, check out the “B the Way Forward” podcast, available on the AnitaB.org YouTube channel or wherever you get your podcasts.