10 types of menopause innovation we want to see at the awards

One of the questions we hear most often from founders, clinicians, and product teams considering an entry to the Femtech World Awards is some version of: does what we do actually count?

The short answer is: probably yes. The longer answer is what this blog is for.

Menopause innovation is not a single category. It is a broad, fast-growing field that spans technology, clinical care, workplace culture, research and consumer health.

If your work touches the lives of people going through perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause in any meaningful way, we want to hear from you.

Here are ten types of menopause innovation that are firmly within scope for this year’s awards.

1. Digital Health Platforms and Apps

From symptom trackers and personalised hormone cycle tools to AI-powered coaching apps and telehealth platforms, digital health is one of the most active spaces in menopause innovation right now.

If you have built a platform that helps people understand, manage, or navigate their menopause journey, this category is for you.

We are particularly interested in tools that go beyond generic content and offer genuinely personalised, evidence-informed support.

2. Diagnostics and Testing

Hormonal testing, at-home diagnostics, wearables that track physiological markers, and clinical tools that support earlier or more accurate diagnosis all fall within this space.

For too long, people have been dismissed or misdiagnosed because the tools simply were not sensitive or accessible enough.

Innovations that close this gap are exactly the kind of work this award was created to celebrate.

3. Therapeutics and Treatment Innovation

This includes both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical approaches.

New formulations of hormone replacement therapy, novel delivery mechanisms, botanical or nutraceutical products with a strong evidence base, and non-hormonal treatments for specific symptoms such as vasomotor changes or genitourinary conditions are all eligible.

If you are developing or have developed something that genuinely works and can demonstrate that, we want to know about it.

4. Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

The psychological impact of menopause is still vastly under-discussed.

Anxiety, depression, cognitive changes, mood disruption, and loss of identity are experienced by a significant proportion of people going through this transition, yet the support available is often fragmented or absent altogether.

Products, programmes, and platforms that specifically address the mental health dimension of menopause are very much welcome here.

5. Workplace Solutions

Menopause is a workplace issue.

Symptoms can significantly affect concentration, confidence, and performance, and without the right support, many people reduce their hours, pass up promotions, or leave the workforce entirely.

Innovations in this space include employer-facing platforms, HR tools, training programmes, policy frameworks, and occupational health solutions that help organisations create genuinely supportive environments.

If you are working at the intersection of menopause and work, do not underestimate the value of what you are doing.

6. Sleep and Physical Symptom Management

Sleep disruption, hot flushes, joint pain, fatigue and weight changes are among the most commonly reported menopause symptoms, and the market for products addressing them directly is growing rapidly.

Whether you have developed a temperature-regulating wearable, a sleep support programme, a physiotherapy-informed exercise platform, or a product that addresses the physical experience of menopause in a new way, this is your category.

7. Sexual Health and Intimate Wellbeing

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause, changes to libido, vaginal dryness, and the broader impact of menopause on intimacy and relationships remain taboo subjects even within healthcare.

Innovators working to address these issues, whether through clinical products, consumer health solutions, education platforms, or therapeutic tools, are doing important work that deserves recognition.

We actively encourage entries in this space.

8. Research, Data, and Clinical Evidence

The evidence base for menopause care has historically been thin, and the people building it matter enormously.

Academic institutions, research organisations, and companies investing in clinical trials or real-world evidence generation are eligible for this award.

If your work is helping to shift what we know about menopause, how we understand its long-term effects, or how we evaluate interventions, that is innovation in the truest sense.

9. Education, Awareness, and Community

Changing the conversation around menopause is part of the innovation ecosystem.

Platforms, content brands, community spaces, and campaigns that are genuinely shifting awareness, reducing stigma, or building knowledge among patients, clinicians, or the wider public are eligible.

We are particularly interested in work that reaches underserved communities or addresses the significant disparities in menopause care across different demographics and ethnicities.

10. Integrated and Holistic Care Models

Some of the most exciting menopause innovation does not fit neatly into a single box.

Integrated care models that bring together clinical, lifestyle, and psychological support, multidisciplinary clinic models, whole-health platforms, and care pathways designed around the full experience of menopause rather than individual symptoms are exactly the kind of ambitious, systemic thinking this award is here to amplify.

Still Not Sure? Enter Anyway.

If you have read through this list and you are still asking yourself whether your work qualifies, the answer is almost certainly yes.

Our judges understand the full breadth of this field. They are not looking for perfection.

They are looking for genuine impact, clear thinking, and the ambition to do better for the millions of people whose menopause experience has, for too long, been an afterthought.

Find out more about the Femtech World Awards and enter for free here.