While building a successful FemTech startup, you can also contribute to the empowerment of women by developing a profitable business that will help solve their problems.
According to Statista, the global FemTech market was valued at $40.2 billion in 2020 and could reach over $75 billion by 2025.
The increasing number of women's health applications has significantly contributed to the global trend for implementing new health care innovations. These tools are designed to provide various features and functions that are not available elsewhere. FemTech has also attracted a wide range of users due to its unique offerings. Initially, people thought this niche was just another, but its reach has increased significantly.
This also proves that the stigma surrounding certain sensitive topics such as menstruation, sexual wellness, pregnancy, breast cancer, etc., has been lifted.
This article aims to introduce you to the world of FemTech and will give you a brief overview of the various features and functions of women's health tracking apps and popular women’s health apps. It also explains how to develop a successful app.
What is Femtech?
Today, women are expected to keep a good eye on their health and manage their professional lives while also being a mother and wife. This is why it is important that they take the time to keep track of all their activities.
Through the use of technology, women can now make their lives easier. Through the development of women's health tracking apps and other women-specific technological advancements, the healthcare industry has been able to create more robust and innovative services for women.
Is there a women’s health app? In 2016, Ida Tin, a Danish entrepreneur, coined the term FemTech to describe the various kinds of female technology that can be used to improve women's lives. She co-founded Clue, an app that allows users to track their periods.
FemTech refers to technological solutions that are created to address the various health concerns of women. It covers various aspects of women's lives, such as sex apps, period tracking, nutrition, motherhood, mental and physical resilience, and upskilling. In addition, there are also platforms that can help women prevent diseases such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases, breast cancer etc.
The goal of FemTech is to raise awareness about the various barriers that prevent women from being fully included in the development and maintenance of their health. It also aims to empower women and encourage them to improve their hygiene and sexual health. In other words, through the use of apps, women can gain valuable insight into their body problems and make informed decisions.
Aside from women, the various kinds of female technology that can be used to improve the lives of women can also be used by doctors. These tools can help them collect and analyze patient health data. Their partners can then use them to help them improve their relationship.
Building a Femtech-focused app can not only help you generate revenue but additionally contribute to the empowerment of women's health.
Femtech is now able to provide various solutions that the doctor's office doesn't. These include direct access to experts, privacy, and respectful schedules. Unfortunately, it can be hard to get an in-person healthcare appointment for people who are juggling their work and domestic schedules. In addition, long waitlists, discrimination, and healthcare bias can make it hard to get the right care.
The rapid emergence and growth of apps have also been attributed to the increasing number of people who use them and the potential they can create for a better quality of life. Due to the rise of feminism and the discussions about women's concerns at the global level, investors have started supporting the development of women's tech businesses.
If you are a startup or an entrepreneur looking to create a product or service that can help improve women's lives, there are many avenues you can take. You can start by thinking about the issues that women face and then come up with a solution that will address them. This could be through an app, a service, a diagnosis tool, or a combination of these.
The most important factor that you need to consider is the development of an app that is focused on women. This will allow you to excel in this field and reach the millions of women already using these apps' services.
Here you can find the Global FemTech Ecosystem overview conducted by the FemTech Analytics report in 2021:
Let’s look closer at different types of FemTech apps.
Types of FemTech apps
Period and fertility tracker for women
This app helps women keep track of their periods and calculate their fertility. It's useful for both women who are trying to get pregnant and those who are avoiding getting pregnant. The app generates accurate information based on the data collected. It also keeps track of their basal body temperature and menstrual cycle. It can additionally help them keep track of their symptoms. Another important function of this app is to allow women to log their PMS symptoms in the calendar to see how their behavior changes during a specific period.
Pregnancy app
Although apps do not replace medical care, they are still helpful during pregnancy. For moms-to-be, apps can help them keep track of their body changes and provide them with guidance on what's normal during a particular period. They can help them monitor their baby's development and keep track of their day-to-day activities. In addition to keeping track of their baby's progress, these apps can also provide them with expert advice if needed. For example, they can help women plan their diet.
Birth control app
One of the most important factors that women should consider when it comes to planning for their baby is the most fertile days of their monthly cycle. With the help of birth control apps, women can easily identify the days that they should avoid having sex. It also gives users a reminder to take the pill or notify them if they're not fertile. According to studies, consistent use of this app can improve the results of birth control.
Sexual self-care
The goal of these apps is to help women feel good about themselves and develop good mental health. They can also help them improve their body image and connect with their partners.
Trainer apps
The popularity of trainer apps has been attributed to their ability to help users improve their fitness. They can also help them regain their lost body shape. In addition, they can help them keep track and monitor their progress.
Breastfeeding app
The various support and guides that the breastfeeding apps have provided have greatly influenced their users. They have helped new mothers improve their experience breastfeeding. With the help of these apps, their customers have been able to get answers to their most frequently asked questions.
Mother’s community app
The apps that are created for mobile generation mothers. It features a variety of tools and features that allow users to connect with other mothers. The users can also help each other navigate through the various issues that they face in motherhood.
Breast cancer survivor’s app
Despite the various advancements that have been made in the field of cancer treatment, many women who have been affected by this disease still feel like they are not at par with other women. Through an app created for breast cancer survivors, the users can connect with other women who have been through the same experience.
Mental health apps
There are various mental health apps that can help women connect with their health specialists. Apps mostly help them keep track of their emotional state and manage their mood.
Feminine hygiene apps
These apps are designed to help women deliver feminine hygiene products at their doorstep. They can provide users with organic and hygienic products such as tampons and sanitary pads.
Online consultation apps
These apps can help women manage their health concerns. They can provide them with the necessary advice and guidance to make informed decisions from medical specialists. These apps can help them with various issues such as weight loss, sex coaching, mental health, etc.
The current market situation shows the following picture of the category distribution:
Top 3 trends driving FemTech
The global survey conducted by FemTech Analytics revealed that the three most prominent trends in the field of FemTech are pregnancy and fertility technologies, menopause technologies, and menstrual technologies.
The survey also revealed that the increasing interest in non-hormonal methods of contraception, such as fertility awareness, was among the key factors that influenced the development of the field of FemTech. Other factors contributing to the industry's growth include managing female illnesses like endometriosis and PCOS.
While pregnancy and fertility technologies were the most common applications submitted by of survey participants, the number of women who used menopause technologies exceeded those who used menstrual technologies.
The development of a women's health tracker app can be very challenging due to the variety of available solutions. Many different features are designed to cater to different needs.
Features to include when making a women's health app
The development and functionality of an app are two of the most important factors a company should consider when creating and managing a women's health tracking app. Before you start working on the app, it's important that you understand the default features that should be included in the functionality:
Onboarding
Onboarding is the first phase of the user experience and is the most important aspect of the app's design. Simple and user-friendly registration and login process are very important for any app's success. It can be done by creating a process that is as convenient as possible. For example, this can be done by choosing a login method, either a traditional email or social media.
Detailed user profile
Most users don't like the entire process when it comes to registering for an app, and they prefer to have a brief user profile instead. Women's health apps need to have various user details, such as age, weight, height, and menstrual cycles. A feature allowing users to view their health status is also important. This ensures that the app provides the best possible user experience. All the necessary information helps improve the user experience and provides personalized content.
Period tracker
One of the most important functions of an app for women's health and fitness is the ability to keep track of their periods. This feature can help users track their periods and overall health. Some of the most popular period tracking apps include various features, such as the ability to record the start and end of each period and the ability to keep track of their fertility and future periods. They can also help users identify their symptoms and improve their predictions.
Although it's not required, users should also be able to plot their periods and cycle phases in order to get helpful advice about their bodies. Developers of period trackers can additionally create a feature that allows users to get personalized information about their periods and cycle phases. This type of function can help users identify their physical and emotional patterns.
Pregnancy tracker
(It depends on the goal of the application)
Through this function, users can view a list of milestones related to their pregnancy and track their progress throughout the pregnancy.
Reminders or notifications
This feature can help keep users engaged and improve the app's dependability. There are various types of notifications that can be sent to users, such as the start of the next cycle, log entries, and medicine notifications. These notifications can also help users identify potential health issues.
Symptom tracking and analysis
The app's symptom monitoring feature can also help users learn more about their bodies, fertility, and periods. It can also help them keep track of their health data, such as their blood pressure, weight, and sleep time.
Also, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning are also used in period-tracking applications to analyze and provide users with personalized reports.
Password authentication
One of the most important factors that a period tracking app should consider when it comes to protecting the privacy of its users' data is password authentication.
Multi-language
One of the most important factors that you should consider when it comes to developing an app for mobile health is the development of multi-language capabilities. This will allow you to appeal to a wider demographic. For instance, if a medical term is complex, having the option to switch to a native language will allow users to get a better experience.
Promising features that complement the application and improve its functionality.
Community support
The goal of these communities is to provide information about various female health issues that are typically not discussed in the mainstream. This type of community can also help users get more knowledge about these conditions. It’s critical that apps allow users to build communities where they can discuss their experiences and share their tales with other users. This type of community can help boost the users' engagement and improve their confidence in the app. In addition to being able to share their stories, users can also join groups and discuss symptoms.
Integration with wearables
This functionality can be added to the app to allow it to collect valuable data from various sources, such as wearable devices and health devices. It will allow it to improve the user's health and safety further. Several period monitoring apps also allow users to share their data with their partners.
Some apps allow users to share data with partners or, what is important, with doctors. Having more data can help speed up the treatment and diagnosis of various conditions. For instance, menstrual tracking can help users keep track of their periods and other symptoms. It can also help them answer doctors' questions about their symptoms.
Online consultations
Digital consultation is also beneficial for users as it allows them to receive help online and have their concerns reviewed by a real specialist. This will allow them to provide the users with a digital consultation in case they have any questions or concerns.
To provide the best possible service to their users, app developers should partner with medical professionals who can provide online consultations and treatment plans. These professionals can be reached through various methods such as voice calls or text messages.
AI Integration
You may want to include a symptom checker. Developers of AI-driven apps are also developing systems that can help doctors perform their duties more efficiently. For instance, by analyzing data, it can help them identify the most effective treatment options. With the help of predictive analytics, medical professionals can spend less time on repetitive tasks.
Steps to develop a women's health app
Step 1. Observe the market
To create an engaging and unique product, you must thoroughly study the market's various competitors. Doing so will allow you to learn from their mistakes and successes. Some of the women's health tracking apps that have already been established can help you judge the competition.
Step 2. Define features
After researching the market, you can move on to defining the functionality of the application. They are described in detail above all that remains is to select those that fit your request.
Step 3. Define how to get revenue from app
The popularity of the women's health tracking app has led to a rise in the number of people who are interested in this market. However, learning more about how to capitalize on this opportunity is important. In order to fully benefit from the revenue potential of the women's health tracking app, you should also learn about the various ways that you can earn money through it:
- In-app purchase is one of the most effective ways to get the most out of the women's health tracking app. It allows you to offer a premium version that features various features, such as a personalized profile.
- One of the most effective ways to get the most out of the women's health tracking app is by implementing in-app advertisements. Although it's very important to avoid annoying the users, it's also possible to make money from the ads by displaying them in the app.
A paid app is another way to get the most out of the women's health tracking app. If you believe it's a niche product that needs to be developed, then this option can be beneficial. Since the revenue on iOS is much greater than Android's, this type of option can work great.
Step 4. Find the team
A good women's health tracking app should also have a structure with experts and professionals contributing to its development. This will allow you to create an effective and engaging product.
Specialists that you need are:
- Business analyst
- Project manager
- Android/IOS developers
- Backend and Frontend developers
- UI/UX designer
- Copywriter
- Tester
Step 5. Creation of MVP
After you have found a team that will help you develop a good software product, start planning on building a minimum viable product (MVP). This will allow you to understand the market demand and save money on the development process.
A good women's health tracking app should also have a strong visual appeal to engage users. According to some companies, the most important factors that women consider when it comes to choosing a good app are the design and the appearance of its interface.
Step 6. Documentation
After you have approved the feature list, let your business analyst and project manager prepare documentation detailing the project's technical requirements. This will serve as a guide for the entire team.
Step 7. Software development
The next step is to start the software development process, which will allow you to create a great femtech application that will impress your target audience. This process involves:
- Planning & Research - The team prepares the app's environment so it can be used efficiently. They will also create API documentation and other third-party services for the app.
- Code building and testing - The team determines the project requirements. They will then create the code using a variety of tools and technologies. They will also test the code to ensure that it is working properly. During the development phase, all of the women's health tracking apps must undergo testing to ensure that they are working properly. This will allow the developers to identify and fix the bugs immediately.
- Deployment - After testing and developing an app, you must then release it on various platforms. Make sure that it is compliant with the latest privacy rules. Doing so will help boost the app's search rankings and improve its overall experience.
That’s all? No. Don’t forget about maintenance!
Getting the app deployed and building it is not the end of your journey, as you will see substantial growth once it is released. After the app has been released, it's important that you also take the time to keep it running smoothly. This will allow you to provide the best possible experience for the users. You should additionally regularly introduce new features and improve the app's performance.
What are the major difficulties in women's health app creation?
Even if everything seems to be going according to plan, there are still problems with developing applications. For instance, a health-tracking app for women might not be able to run smoothly. Pay attention to the following aspects:
The experts that you hire to work on your app are also important. Without their expertise, the data collected might not be accurate. Having the right medical specialist on board is also important when it comes to developing an app that will help women manage their cycles and symptoms.
Due to the increasing concerns about data privacy, many people are hesitant to sign up for an app. This is why it is important that the developers make it clear how they will use their data. Also, countries have their own set of privacy rules. Having the right knowledge about these rules can help you avoid getting into a situation where your app might not work properly.
Everyone knows that good design is very important when it comes to developing applications. Having an attractive and compelling app is also very important to keep your users engaged. There is still a taboo surrounding topic related to women's health, and it is very important that the developers create an app that will educate and empower users.
Cost of women health app development
The project's complexity also affects the cost of developing a software solution. This is why it is important to consider the various stages of the development process when developing a Women's Health app. Some of these include the software's features, its implementation, and the rate of developers.
So, we have assessed the approximate cost of average solution development:
Now that we've covered all the basics, it's time to answer the question - what's the most popular women's health app, and which ones are at the top?
Best apps for women's health
Flo
Flo is a menstrual cycle and health app that allows users to track their health and get personalized insights about their cycles. It also has a variety of articles and tips that can help improve their health. Its team of experts has over a hundred health experts and doctors on its side to provide advice and recommendations. It uses AI to analyze the data collected by its users. According to reports, it has gained a significant advantage over other period trackers in terms of its accuracy. Its continuous logging helps the app give the most accurate predictions about various aspects of women's health.
In September 2021 Flo closed $50M in a Series B financing, bringing the company valuation to $800M.
Flo Health's estimated annual revenue is currently $77.3M per year.
Natural Cycles
Natural Cycles is the only app that's currently FDA-approved and certified as a contraceptive in the US and Europe. It allows women to track their body temperature and predict when they're most fertile. Its algorithm then learns the pattern of their unique cycle to help them determine their daily fertility status. The app has received a lot of investment, making it one of the most popular period trackers on the market. Many women prefer to use Natural Cycles as a method of birth control.
Natural Cycles' estimated annual revenue is currently $24.3M per year.
Clue
It is a popular period tracking app that uses machine learning to gather data from its users to study the various patterns affecting women's health. Although the app uses the data collected by its users to improve its users' experience, it is not allowed to collect personal information such as their email address, IP address, and name. With the help of machine learning, researchers can prevent serious medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Clue Period Tracker's estimated annual revenue is currently $24M per year.
Balance
The app is designed for women who are going through a menopausal transition or are experiencing symptoms related to their condition. It features a symptom tracker, a community, and a journal to track your thoughts and feelings.
Balance App’s revenue is $7 Million.
To wrap up
The rapid emergence and growth of the healthcare industry have led to the need for new and innovative applications to improve the relationship between patients and doctors. Having the right patient health app can help improve the quality of care and make it easier for both parties to get the necessary information.
Besides being a must-have for every woman, applications that cater to the needs of women should also be considered as a basic necessity. Since FemTech is focused on providing women with the best possible healthcare, it is no coincidence that it has gained a leading position in the business industry.
With FemTech, women can easily access their health concerns, such as period tracking and fertility, through an app designed to make them feel better.
If you are interested in becoming a part of the FemTech community, we hope this article will be helpful for you with an overview and the steps you should take to develop a successful women's health tracking app.
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