Insight
The femtech companies taking on Big Tech over digital censorship
Campaigners say more femtech companies are taking a stand against major tech platforms such as Meta, Google, Amazon and LinkedIn, over digital censorship.
In March, six leading startups in the femtech space filed formal complaints with the European Commission over systemic bias and discrimination in content moderation by major online platforms.
Led by advocacy campaign CensHERship and blended-finance investment portfolio The Case For Her, the start-ups are invoking the Digital Services Act (DSA) to expose how platforms disproportionately restrict, shadow ban and remove health-related content aimed at women.
Now CensHERship has told Femtech World that since taking action, a number of other companies have come forward to file complaints related to similar challenges.
“The more we uncover about online censorship, the more we see how it disproportionately impacts FemTech businesses,” say co-founders, Anna O’Sullivan and Clio Wood.
“This issue extends far beyond the six complaints we’ve submitted. We’ve been contacted by a number of other businesses facing the same challenges, many of whom would now also like to file complaints. This is in addition to the 100+ businesses, charities, and creators we’ve engaged with in our research over the past year. It’s clear that the censorship and restrictions being faced are not isolated ‘mistakes’ but part of a broader, systemic issue that needs real attention and reform.”
Evidence collected by CensHERship has found multiple cases of medically accurate, expert-led content related to women’s health—including menopause, libido and reproductive health—being blocked, taken down and/or labeled as ‘political’ or ‘adult content’.
A 2025 report by Center for Intimacy Justice into the suppression of content on sexual and reproductive health for women and people of diverse genders, found that 84 per cent of businesses had ads rejected on Meta (Facebook, Instagram) and 64 per cent had product listings removed on Amazon, while 66 per cent of respondents had ads rejected on Google.
In a separate survey of 95 brands, creators, medical professionals, charities, consumers and professionals, carried out by CensHERship, 95 per cent of respondents reported at least one issue with the censorship of women’s health and/or sexual wellbeing content online, with 17% reporting up to 10. These were reported on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, YouTube, X, LinkedIn and Google.
Among tose impacted are at-home fertility kits from Bea Fertility, vaginal health brand Aquafit Intimate, online sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing platform Geen, sexual health and wellbeing platform HANX, breastfeeding support app Lactapp, and gynaecological health platform Daye.
Bea Fertility ploughed months of work into becoming a Prime-rated seller on Amazon for its at-home fertility kit, building a bank of verified and positive customer reviews, and creating what’s known as ‘A+ content’ for its storefront.
But the Amazon reviews team rejected the page, taking issue with the use of the word ‘vagina’ and ‘vaginal canal’ within the description (there was no issue with the use of the word ‘semen’).
The company replaced the word ‘vagina’ with ‘birth canal’, despite feeling this was ‘insensitive’ and ‘crass’ given it is a fertility product, before pulling its products from Amazon at the end of January 2025.
Aquafit Intimate has faced wrongful restrictions on LinkedIn for a post related to World Menopause Day. Despite LinkedIn apologising for mistakenly identifying the content as nudity, a repost was again restricted and further posts about Endometriosis, Postpartum Recovery, and Vaginal Dysbiosis removed as “illegal products and services.”
“This creates financial barriers, restricts market access, and ultimately limits consumer access to science-based health information,” says CensHERship.
“There’s a clear link between this systemic digital suppression and the hindrance of progress in women’s healthcare.”
CensHERship co-founders, Anna O’Sullivan and Clio Wood.
“Vague and inconsistent explanations”
As well as content restriction, and removals which don’t appear to be in line with terms and conditions, brands say they have received ‘vague and inconsistent’ explanations for content takedowns, with little opportunity to appeal.
Daye, which has developed a HPV-screening tampon for detecting high-risk HPV infections, says an ad featuring a pregnant woman and referencing the word ‘vaginal’ was incorrectly flagged and removed under Google’s Adult Nudity and Sexual Activity policy. The company says this classification is both “inaccurate and discriminatory”.
“Daye has repeatedly reached out to both Meta and Google regarding misapplied content policies, seeking a proper resolution,” Valentina Milanova, founder & CEO of leading gynaecological health company and virtual women’s health clinic Daye, told Femtech World.
“The responses received have been generic, insufficient and lacking valid justification. These interactions reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of women’s and assigned female at birth health issues, evidenced by the inaccurate classification of relevant content.
“Throughout 2024 alone, Daye filed dozens of appeals but didn’t receive any meaningful explanations or corrective measures. This underscores the systemic failure of these platforms’ appeals processes and human review mechanisms.”
Valentina Milanova, Daye
Significant revenue losses
Some businesses report losing significant revenue due to blocked ads and suspensions, making it harder to compete and secure investment.
In the Center For Intimacy Justice report, survey respondents estimated annual revenue losses ranging from $10,000 to $1 million per company on Amazon alone, with Meta’s content restrictions causing potentially up to $5 million per entity in losses annually.
Female-focused condom brand, HANX, has had ads for its doctor-approved libido supplement for women, which is sold in major UK pharmacy retailers including Boots, rejected or heavily penalised. Its organic posts have also been repeatedly flagged as adult content, including a static post spotlighting the World Health Organisation’s report into decline of condom usage and rising STIs.
In December 2024, HANX’s Meta account was suspended for six-days, blocking its ability to reach followers and customers. It was only reinstated after a co-founder secured support from a senior Meta employee via a personal connection.
Speaking to Femtech World, HANX co-founder Dr Sarah Welsh, says: “Despite following Meta’s guidelines, HANX has faced repeated censorship – our educational posts flagged, our ads rejected, and even our entire account suspended without warning. At one point, our ad account was suspended entirely during a peak sales period, cutting off a vital revenue stream.
Meta’s own ad policy states that adverts can “promote sexual and reproductive health or wellness, as long as the focus is on health and not sexual pleasure or enhancement, and they target people aged 18 or older. This includes ads for: Birth control products, including condoms.”
However, despite being a common symptom of menopause, low libido in women is not considered to be a health condition under Meta’s guidelines. Meanwhile, male-focused erectile dysfunction ads are consistently approved.
“Meta’s restrictions have forced us to spend countless hours reworking content, appealing unfair rejections, and navigating unclear policies – only to see misleading health products and male-focused ads thrive,” continues Dr Welsh.
“This double standard doesn’t just hurt our business; it stops people from accessing safe, medically-backed information about their own health. Censorship like this isn’t just frustrating – it’s actively harming innovation in women’s health.”
“The silencing of women’s health must end”
With the support of CensHERship and The Case For Her, the startups are now urging the European Commission to investigate platform policies and hold tech giants accountable for applying content moderation rules fairly and transparently.
They are also calling on digital platforms to implement clear, non-discriminatory advertising guidelines that protect conversations about women’s health, and ensure there are accessible and effective appeal mechanisms.
Cristina Ljungberg, co-founder and partner at The Case for Her, commented: “When femtech companies and nonprofits providing critical health information are suppressed by Big Tech, they struggle to reach the people who need them most. This isn’t just about lost revenue—it’s about blocking access to essential care. The silencing of women’s health must end.”
Femtech World has contacted Meta, Amazon, LinkedIn and Google for comment, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Ki-67, a protein used to measure tumour growth, may also help prevent chromosome errors that drive cancer, a study suggests.
The findings could change how scientists view Ki-67, a marker commonly used in breast cancer and other tumours to assess how quickly cancer cells are growing.
Researchers found the protein may help preserve genome stability by maintaining the structural integrity of centromeres, key parts of chromosomes that help ensure DNA is shared correctly during cell division.
The research was led by professor Paola Vagnarelli at Brunel University of London in collaboration with scientists at the University of Edinburgh and the Technical University of Berlin.
Professor Vagnarelli said: “Doctors already measure Ki-67 to see how aggressive a cancer might be. But our results suggest it is actually helping maintain genome stability.
“That means it may be more than a marker. It could potentially also be a therapeutic target.”
The study examined three proteins that attach to chromosomes during cell division and help rebuild the molecular system that tells each new cell what kind of cell it is.
Every human cell carries identical DNA. What makes a liver cell different from a brain cell is which genes are switched on and which are kept inactive.
When a cell divides, that entire system of switches must be rebuilt. The three proteins involved in this process were Ki-67, Repo-Man and PNUTS.
Vagnarelli’s team developed a method that individually removes each protein from a living cell at the precise point of division. Older techniques could not isolate that moment cleanly.
They found that cells rely on all three proteins to reset themselves after division, but each failed in a different way when removed.
Without PNUTS, gene activity spiralled out of control and thousands of genes switched on at once.
Without Repo-Man, cells escaped safety checkpoints that usually stop damaged or abnormal cells from continuing to divide.
“What we didn’t expect was how clean the separation was,” said Vagnarelli.
Each protein fails in its own specific way. There is no redundancy, no safety net. Which means there are three separate points at which this process can go wrong.
“When the system breaks down, cells can emerge with the wrong number of chromosomes. That condition, called aneuploidy, is seen in disorders such as Down syndrome and in many cancers.
“We also found that these chromosome errors can trigger inflammatory signals inside the cell.”
Aneuploidy means a cell has too many or too few chromosomes, which can disrupt normal growth and function.
Inflammatory signals are chemical messages that can make a cell behave as if it is responding to injury or infection.
“These cells behave almost as if they are under attack,” said Vagnarelli.
“The immune response switches on because the genome is unstable.
“That link between chromosome imbalance and inflammation could help explain patterns we see in several diseases.”
The researchers said the findings may help cancer scientists better understand how chromosome instability, loss of gene regulation and cells dividing before they are ready contribute to tumour growth.
They said understanding the normal machinery that prevents these errors may help researchers find ways to push cancer cells into making mistakes they cannot survive.
“We now have a clearer map of the machinery that resets the cell after division,” said Vagnarelli.
“That knowledge gives us a starting point for thinking about new therapeutic approaches.”
After more than a decade of campaigning, doctors around the world have agreed to rename polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
It is hoped the new name, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, will help end the misconception that the condition is all about cysts, which campaigners say has contributed to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment.
The condition affects one in eight women, or 3.1m women and girls in the UK, and is linked to hormone fluctuations that can affect weight, mental health, skin and the reproductive system.
The renaming was spearheaded by UK patient charity Verity alongside Professor Helena Teede, director of Melbourne’s Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation.
It followed 14 years of consultation with clinicians and patients around the world.
The new name was published in a consensus statement on May 12 and announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague.
The paper states that PCOS should now be referred to as PMOS.
“This is a landmark moment that will lead to desperately-needed worldwide advancements in clinical practice and research,” said Professor Teede.
“It was heart-breaking to see the delayed diagnosis, limited awareness and inadequate care afforded those affected by this neglected condition.”
When doctors first named PCOS in 1935, they thought it was mainly caused by physical changes to the ovaries.
Decades of research have since changed that understanding, with clinicians now agreeing the condition is far more complex.
“What we now know is that there is actually no increase in abnormal cysts on the ovary and the diverse features of the condition were often unappreciated,” Professor Teede added.
“A name change was the next critical step towards recognition and improvement in the long term impacts of this condition.”
The exact cause of the condition is still unknown, though it is thought to be linked to abnormal hormone levels and is associated with insulin resistance and raised levels of testosterone and luteinising hormone.
Insulin resistance means the body does not respond properly to insulin, the hormone that helps control blood sugar. Luteinising hormone helps regulate ovulation.
Common symptoms listed by the NHS include irregular periods or no periods at all, difficulty getting pregnant, excessive hair growth, weight gain, thinning hair, oily skin and acne.
Campaigners have acknowledged that the name change could cause temporary confusion.
“Despite decades of tireless advocacy to improve awareness, we recognised that the risk of change would be worth the reward,” said Rachel Morman, chairwoman of Verity.
“This shift will reframe the conversation and demand that it is taken as seriously as the long-term, complex health condition it is.”
It is also unclear if, or when, the NHS will change the language it uses.
An NHS England spokesperson said: “We routinely review and update content on the NHS website to ensure it reflects the latest clinical advice and will carefully consider these recommendations.
“The NHS will also continue our work to improve women’s healthcare, including for this important group, which involves giving women more choice over their care, bringing down waiting times, and delivering more care in communities.”
Insight
The RESIL-Card tool launches across Europe to strengthen cardiovascular care preparedness against crises
By Women As One
Women As One is proud to have contributed to the development of the RESIL-Card tool as an active Advisory Board member, ensuring that gender equity and the perspectives of women cardiologists were embedded from the outset.
Through strategic input on the project’s design, formal support of its EU4Health funding application, and ongoing participation in advisory activities, Women As One has helped shape both the direction and implementation of this initiative.
By amplifying awareness, facilitating engagement from our global community, and advocating for inclusive representation, we have worked to ensure that RESIL-Card reflects the diverse realities of cardiovascular care and supports more equitable, resilient health systems in times of crisis. Read more about our involvement here.
On the European Day for Prevention of Cardiovascular Risk (March 14), the RESIL-Card consortium proudly announces the official launch of the RESIL-Card tool, a free online resource designed to help hospital cardiovascular professionals and other stakeholders assess and strengthen the resilience of their care pathways — ensuring that lifesaving care remains accessible even during times of crisis.
Available now at https://www.wecareabouthearts.org/resil-card/online-tool/, the RESIL-Card tool offers a structured self-assessment framework for evaluating the preparedness of cardiovascular services and identifying concrete actions to maintain continuity of care when health systems face disruption.
“Cardiovascular care must remain uninterrupted regardless of the challenges health systems face,” said Professor William Wijns, Research Professor in Interventional Cardiology, University of Galway, Ireland, and We CARE – RESIL-Card Coordinator.
“The RESIL-Card tool provides healthcare teams with a practical way to assess preparedness, identify improvement opportunities, and ultimately ensure that patients continue to receive lifesaving care when it matters most.”
Why the RESIL-Card tool was developed
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in Europe, making the continuity and resilience of care pathways a public health priority.
Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, recent crises – from pandemics to geopolitical instability – have exposed the vulnerability of healthcare systems.
In today’s increasingly uncertain health landscape and global environment, proactive preparedness is no longer optional – it is essential.
The RESIL-Card tool was developed as part of an EU4Health-funded initiative to support organisations providing lifesaving cardiovascular care in strengthening their preparedness, improving coordination, and safeguarding patient outcomes in times of disruption.
The initiative focuses on practical resilience strategies to help health systems anticipate challenges rather than simply react to them.
“Healthcare systems today operate in an increasingly complex and unpredictable environment,” said Ariadna Sanz, Health Policy Manager at the Catalan Health Service (CatSalut).
“Tools like RESIL-Card help shift the focus from responding to crises toward proactively building strong, adaptable cardiovascular care pathways that protect patients over the long term.”
A collaborative and evidence-based methodology
The RESIL-Card tool is grounded in a robust, multidisciplinary development process involving cardiovascular experts, healthcare professionals, public health specialists, patient organisations, and policy stakeholders from across Europe.
Its development combined comprehensive literature reviews and analysis of existing preparedness frameworks with extensive stakeholder consultations and co-creation workshops. Real-world insights from healthcare providers and patient representatives were integrated throughout the process to ensure the tool reflects the practical realities of cardiovascular care delivery. The methodology also included iterative testing and validation phases, allowing the consortium to refine the tool and ensure it is both scientifically rigorous and practical for everyday use.
“From the outset, RESIL-Card was co-created with clinicians, patient representatives, and health system experts to ensure it reflects real-world practice,” said Professor Niek Klazinga, Em. Professor of Social Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centre / University of Amsterdam.
“The result is a tool that combines scientific rigour with practical usability, enabling healthcare teams to translate resilience concepts into concrete action.”
What the RESIL-Card tool is and how it works
The RESIL-Card tool is a practical online self-assessment instrument designed for use by a multistakeholder resilience team led by cardiovascular care providers.
Through a structured four-step process, including a questionnaire and guided analysis, users assess the preparedness and resilience of their cardiovascular care pathways and gain a clear understanding of how well their services can maintain care continuity during periods of disruption.
The assessment process helps teams identify existing strengths as well as potential gaps in service delivery.
Based on the responses provided, the tool offers tailored recommendations and examples of best practices to support improvement.
These insights can then inform strategic planning, helping organisations prioritise actions that reinforce care continuity, strengthen patient safety, and optimise the long-term sustainability of cardiovascular services.
Benefits for Key Stakeholders
For healthcare professionals and organisations delivering cardiovascular care, the RESIL-Card tool provides a structured way to strengthen preparedness and crisis-response capacity.
By helping teams assess their existing systems and identify areas for improvement, the tool supports better coordination across services and clinical disciplines.
It also facilitates evidence-based planning and quality improvement initiatives, enabling healthcare organisations to enhance their operational resilience while maintaining efficient and manageable care processes.
“By promoting awareness about strengths and limitations of each system, the RESIL-Card tool will help physicians to understand where improvements are needed and strengthen coordination and planning to face crises,” said Doctor Alfredo Marchese, Chief of Interventional Cardiology Department at Santa Maria Hospital, Bari, Italy and President of the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (GISE).
For patients and patient organisations, the RESIL-Card tool contributes to improving the reliability and continuity of essential cardiovascular care.
By encouraging healthcare providers to proactively address vulnerabilities in care pathways, the tool helps promote uninterrupted access to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up services.
It also supports a more patient-centred and equitable approach to care delivery, encouraging collaboration and transparency in preparedness planning.
Ultimately, these improvements can contribute to better health outcomes and increased safety for people living with cardiovascular disease.
“For people living with cardiovascular disease, continuity of care is not optional — it is essential,” said Teresa Glynn, Senior Executive Strategy & Partnerships at Global Heart Hub.
“By helping healthcare providers strengthen preparedness, RESIL-Card supports more reliable and equitable access to treatment and greater confidence for patients and their families.”
At the European level, the RESIL-Card initiative contributes to a shared effort to strengthen the resilience of health systems.
By providing a common framework for assessing and improving preparedness, the tool encourages cross-border learning and facilitates the exchange of best practices among healthcare providers and policymakers.
It also aligns closely with European Union priorities on health system preparedness, crisis response, and sustainability.
By helping healthcare organisations identify vulnerabilities and implement practical resilience measures, the RESIL-Card tool can support efforts to reduce inequalities in access to high-quality cardiovascular care across EU Member States.
“Strengthening the resilience of cardiovascular care is a shared European priority,” said Rachel Kenna, Ireland’s Chief Nursing Officer at the Department of Health.
“While the RESIL-Card tool has not yet been tested in an Irish setting we look forward to seeing how it can support the development of more sustainable and prepared healthcare systems.”
Call to Action
Cardiovascular care providers and other healthcare professionals are encouraged to explore the RESIL-Card tool at https://www.wecareabouthearts.org/resil-card/online-tool/.
By using it to assess their cardiovascular care pathways, they will identify areas where resilience can be strengthened and ensure that essential services remain accessible during times of disruption.
Patient organisations also play an important role in this effort. By engaging with healthcare providers and policymakers, they can help promote the use of the tool and ensure that patient perspectives are meaningfully incorporated into preparedness and response planning.
Policymakers and health authorities are invited to support the adoption of the RESIL-Card tool within regional, national and European strategies aimed at strengthening healthcare system resilience.
Integrating the tool into policy frameworks can help safeguard access to essential cardiovascular services and enhance the ability of health systems to respond effectively to future challenges.
Learn more about Women As One at womenasone.org
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