It was 2019 when Debbie Dickinson experienced her first hot flash.
“I was at home and was very confused,” says the 55-year-old. “I didn’t know what was going on in my body.
“But then I had an aha moment and realized something big was happening.” That something was menopause.
This prompted Debbie, who lives in Miami, Florida, to reach out to elderly female relatives for advice on how best to cope with the symptoms that occur both before and after a woman’s period ends. The latter typically occurs around the age of 51.
What is menopause and what are the signs?
Meanwhile, Debbie started trying lots of DIY possibilities, including opening her freezer and standing right in front of it.
Despite helpful guidance, she felt unprepared for this phase of her life, she says.
“There is so little understanding and education about menopause. A lot of this is due to stigma and ageism, when in fact it’s only natural.”
After suffering a hot flash in her car later that year, Debbie came up with the idea for a wearable device that could keep women cool.
As a former executive at healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson, she had extensive industry contacts. This raised an investment of US$1.5million (£1.3million) and worked with a team of engineers, scientists and doctors to create a bracelet and connected app called Thermaband.
The bracelet is powered by artificial intelligence software that monitors the wearer’s temperature, and when it detects a hot flash, it can provide a cooling sensation. Alternatively, it can also provide heat when needed.
New Tech Economy is a series exploring how technological innovation will shape the emerging economic landscape.
The bracelet also records blood pressure and heart rate, with all data displayed in the app. With Debbie’s daughter Markea also involved in running the company, the thermal tape is set to be launched this year.
After years of widespread ignorance, there is now more awareness and conversation about menopause than ever before. In the UK, this has been supported by high-profile campaigners such as TV presenter Davina McCall, who hosted a Channel Four show on the issue in 2021.
Meanwhile, Conservative MP Caroline Nokes has been leading a campaign for menopausal women to take time off from work. However, in January the British government rejected a proposed pilot scheme for England.
While women who think they are suffering from menopause should see their doctor first, increasing media coverage of the issue is leading to more tech companies entering the sector. Often run by women, these companies introduce new products that provide help and support.
The broader menopause support sector, which includes hormone treatments and nutritional supplements, is expected to grow to $24.4 billion globally by 2030, up from $16.9 billion this year.
Monika Scott, 46, an operations manager at a property firm, has been using UK digital health app Peppy for a number of years, which supports women going through menopause as they navigate their symptoms.
“A big problem for me is not sleeping, which is frustrating,” says the Londoner. “I woke up tired and grumpy.
“I also have dry skin and very heavy periods. My sister was having a difficult time with menopause and when I saw Peppy I thought I’d check it out.”
The app allows users to have in-person video or chat consultations with a menopause expert, sign up for classes, access on-demand videos, and attend live events.
The expert in general medicine and menopause, Dr. Phillipa Kay, believes that most new technologies help empower women.
“When it comes to information, it’s great when it’s good and verified. Information is power,” she says. “Apps that track symptoms can be useful because people don’t always know all the potential symptoms, and they help connect the dots for people.
“But we have to be careful as menopause is all the rage right now and people have been making money off women’s health for a long time,” says the NHS website.
Andrea Berchowitz, co-founder of another UK menopause app, Stella, says she noticed a gap in the menopause market when she wanted to start a women’s health business. “Technology in women’s health is still mostly focused on fertility and period tracking,” she says.
Stella, she says, offers personalized treatment plans combined with weekly guidance to address specific symptoms and helps facilitate conversations about hormone therapy (HRT).
Andrea says specially tailored support is crucial because “women have different symptoms.” She adds, “Someone might have trouble sleeping, another might need a different approach if they have a bad mood and incontinence.”
Founded in 2021, London-based Stella focuses on partnering with companies to offer their app as part of their HR policies.
“It’s for everyone, but we’re focused on jobs,” says Andrea. “Women shouldn’t have to pay extra for this support, we find that employers want to offer support.”
Companies filed so far include clothing brand Barbour, as well as Betterspace and Heka, both websites that enable companies to offer health and wellbeing resources to their employees.
Andrea adds that Stella is now trying to increase the level of AI software powering his app to better determine “what combination of treatments might work for specific symptoms.”
Tech start-ups like this come as a growing number of large UK companies and organizations have adopted menopause policies in recent years.
For example, both the Royal Mail and supermarket giant Tesco offer menopause training, and the latter changed its uniform last year to incorporate a lightweight, more breathable material to help with hot flashes. The cooperative now has a special menopause support guide.
Back in Miami, Debbie says the bracelet has really changed her own life. “It relieves discomfort and makes the symptoms appear shorter and less intense. It’s just a more comfortable experience to find your way around.”
Add Comment