Chinese scientists have developed an X-ray fiber that allows for easier breast cancer screening. Instead of being pressed between rigid plates as before, it can be wrapped in a soft fabric like a bra for examination. After the research results were introduced, comments such as "After being pressed multiple times, my mind became hazy. I am so grateful for this device," and "It hurt so much that I could cry, but this is such good news" were posted.
The digital technology for women's health, "Femtech," is on the rise. A combination of the English words female and technology, it was first created in 2016 by Ida Tin, the founder of the German company Clue, which developed the menstrual cycle app. It refers to software, diagnostics, services, and electronic devices for women's health.
As women's participation in society increases and efforts to overcome gender discrimination in the medical field grow, the Femtech market is rapidly expanding. Last year, the market research firm Global Industry Analysts estimated that the global Femtech market, expected to reach $36.6 billion (approximately 49.89 trillion won) in 2023, will reach $107 billion (145.84 trillion won) by 2030.
◇After 10 years of growth, domestic commercialization technology has emerged
The menstrual cycle app Clue, which has become a symbol of the Femtech term, was first launched in 2013 and currently has over 15 million users in about 180 countries. The menstrual cycle app Flo, released by the UK-based company Flo in 2015, has been downloaded 380 million times, with 68 million users each month.
There is also Femtech technology that has been commercialized domestically. The medical device company Noeul has developed a technology that diagnoses cervical cancer using artificial intelligence (AI). Cervical cancer occurs in the cervix, causing symptoms such as lower abdominal and leg pain and bleeding. When cervical cancer develops, the shape of cervical cells changes. AI examines these changes to check for the presence of disease.
Thanks to AI, the testing period has been reduced from 1-2 weeks to just over 20 minutes. Women living in medically underdeveloped areas can easily undergo cervical cancer screening. Last month, Noeul announced it would supply cervical cancer diagnostic devices to Qatar for the next three years.
The in-vitro diagnostics company Sugentech has introduced the hormone diagnostic device Shurly Smart. Menopausal women may experience joint and muscle pain, along with feelings of depression and anxiety. At this point, they can test their hormone levels at home and check the results via a smartphone app. The diagnostic stick is dipped in a urine container for 10-15 seconds, and then smartphone Bluetooth is connected. The company noted that "the test records are automatically transmitted to the app, allowing users to see their health status."
◇Hidden women's diseases, remote management
Women often hide illnesses related to women's health. Even if treatment is possible, many do not visit the hospital, allowing conditions to worsen. Femtech can help prevent such issues. The Canadian healthcare company HiBee has developed technology for remote management of pelvic floor disorders.
Pelvic floor disorders occur when the muscles or ligaments that support organs in the pelvis weaken, leading to symptoms such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and lower back pain. These issues are common among middle-aged women. In particular, one type of pelvic floor disorder, pelvic organ prolapse, refers to the descent of pelvic organs such as the uterus, bladder, or rectum through the vagina. Often referred to as a "disease of falling down," it is frequently hidden.
Women can capture images of their pelvis at home using HiBee medical devices. They can consult with doctors remotely about their test results and schedule hospital appointments for treatment if necessary. Rachel Bartholomew, CEO of HiBee, stated, "One in three women worldwide experiences pelvic health issues," urging that "pelvic exams can prevent and treat diseases." She established the company in 2021 after experiencing the same condition while working in the startup sector.
The medical field is also actively adopting advanced technologies for treating women's diseases. Seoul National University Hospital announced last month that it successfully performed ovarian cancer surgery with the Hugo Robot, the first of its kind in the country. A hospital official stated, "The robot's precise movements enabled efficient surgery, minimizing the size of wounds and pain, while allowing for quicker recovery." The Hugo Robot was developed by the American medical device corporation Medtronic.
The da Vinci robot, synonymous with surgical robots, is also performing surgeries for uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer in South Korean medical facilities. In April, Chung-Ang University Hospital operated the fourth-generation da Vinci SP single-port robotic surgery system. At that time, Lee Eun-joo, an obstetrics and gynecology professor at the Women's Cancer Center, commented, "Robotic surgery minimizes damage to the uterus and ovaries and can be the optimal surgical method for women patients who are about to become pregnant or give birth."
The Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association issued a statement on the 4th, the day the election of President-elect Lee Jae-myung was confirmed, calling for the Femtech industry—which integrates cutting-edge technologies such as bio and AI and contributes to solving the low birth rate problem—to be designated and strategically nurtured as a women-specialized industry. A healthcare industry representative noted that "women tend to live longer than men and actively manage their health," indicating that "the domestic Femtech market has high growth potential."
References
Science Advances (2025), DOI: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adv5537