Women's Health: By Women for Women

Women's Health: By Women for Women

When it comes to women's health and wellness, who better understands the challenges women face than, well, women? In recent years, a powerful wave of female entrepreneurs has been disrupting the healthcare industry by creating innovative solutions for women-centric issues like reproductive care, as well as universal health issues that may affect women differently from men. And these leaders aren't just building successful businesses — they're revolutionizing how we approach health and personal care for half the population.

Biological and logical

Every great business idea begins with a “wouldn’t it be great if... ” moment and then takes that idea to fulfil an unmet need – or improve on existing solutions. This is particularly true in the area of menstrual care products where women have historically been at the forefront of innovation. From WWI nurses discovering absorbent cellulose materials, to Gertrude Tendrich founding Tampax, to Leona Chalmers patenting the first menstrual cup, women are continuously reimagining how feminine hygiene is addressed. Their groundbreaking innovations paved the way for modern products that respect women's bodies and lifestyles.

In the area of reproductive care, what sets women entrepreneurs apart is a firsthand approach that comes from actual experience. Rather than accepting the status quo of existing products, female innovators have introduced postpartum recovery kits that address real challenges of childbirth recovery, developed menopause products that actually work, and created reproductive health tools that give women better insights into their bodies.

Beyond reproductive solutions

Women's heart health needs and other health risk factors are uniquely tied to hormones — specifically estrogen. But traditional heart research has largely focused on men. Female innovators are addressing this by developing products that track and support women’s heart health through all hormonal phases — from monthly cycles to pregnancy to menopause. Similarly, genetic testing provides a roadmap for health that can reveal personal risk for breast cancer, fertility issues, and other hereditary conditions. Women-owned companies are making this possible through at-home genetic testing kits (and more) that help men and women take control of their health journey before problems arise.

Think all skincare products work equally well on men and women? Think again. Women's skin can be thinner and — in many cases — more sensitive than men's, with hormonal changes that affect everything from oil production to elasticity. Female entrepreneurs get this firsthand — they've experienced the frustration of sunscreens that pill under foundation and acne treatments that dry out skin before applying concealer. That's why they're creating smart products that multitask like moisturizers that prime for makeup, acne treatments that don’t strip, and lightweight sunblocks that work well with foundation. While it’s true that not all of these innovative products are FSA/HSA eligible, a great many are — and we’ve got a great selection to help you on your skin health journey.

“Wouldn’t it be great if… ” moments 

Behind every great woman-owned business is a great origin story. Here are a few of our favorites:

Supergoop! Founder Holly Thaggard turned a friend's skin cancer diagnosis into a mission to revolutionize sun protection with lightweight, skin-friendly products that integrate into everyday care routines. 

Then there’s Ju Rhyu who developed the Mighty Patch out of frustration by the lack of effective, targeted treatments for acne that ​​offer a gentle, effective alternative to harsh traditional treatments.

But the examples don’t end there.

After experiencing a persistent case of bacterial vaginosis, Bea Dixon launched The Honey Pot Company with the aim to develop natural feminine care products that are free of chemicals, parabens, carcinogens, and sulfates. 

Chelsea Hirschhorn's journey with Frida Baby began when she was facing the realities of postpartum recovery and saw the need to create a company dedicated to honest conversations about motherhood and practical solutions.

From knowledge to health

Taking control of your health can feel empowering, especially when you know the products and services you're using were designed by women who truly understand the conditions you face. 

Looking for a win-win way to take care of your health while backing female-founded businesses? One easy way you can do it is by putting your FSA dollars to work supporting women healthcare entrepreneurs. From advanced skincare devices, to fertility tracking tools, to menstrual care, to postpartum recovery products, your FSA can help you access innovative health solutions created by women who understand the needs of women.

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