News
Women’s health innovations recognised in TIME’s Best Inventions 2025
TIME Magazine has published its Best Inventions of 2025, spotlighting 300 innovations making the world a better place. Femtech World spoke to some of those addressing unmet needs in women’s health.
For 25 years, TIME’s Best Inventions issue has been highlighting the most impactful new products and ideas.
This year, several femtech innovations made the list – from predictive pregnancy tools and safer postpartum care to hormone-free contraception and more accessible menstrual products.
Speaking to Femtech World, founders say this reflects a growing global recognition of the importance of technology and innovation for improving women’s experience of health and care worldwide.
“This recognition isn’t just about our company, it’s about what it represents for women’s health and women inventors,” says Sarah-Almaza Cox, co-founder of Joeyband, which made the Honourable Mentions list.
“Femtech has often been overlooked in the broader innovation landscape, yet it holds the power to change how care is delivered, experienced, and valued. For TIME to celebrate devices like Joeyband alongside global innovations signals a shift, one that honours the science, empathy, and leadership women bring to healthcare innovation.”
We take a closer look at the inventions that made the list and how they are helping to close the gender health gap.
HerBrain: “A breakthrough in pregnancy information”
HerBrain, developed by the Geometric Intelligence Lab at the University of California, Santa Barbara and recognised in TIME’s Health and Wellness category, is the first digital twin of the maternal brain.
Led by Professor Nina Miolane, who gave birth herself last year, the tool uses machine learning and brain imaging data from pregnant individuals to model how brain structures change throughout pregnancy and postpartum, allowing expectant mothers to track and anticipate weekly shifts in their brains.
The app is currently in development and is expected to launch in 2027, with the aim of integrating the tool into popular pregnancy apps to give women a clearer picture of how their bodies and brains change during pregnancy.
“Our goal is not only to educate but also to advance understanding of maternal brain health, paving the way for innovations that could benefit all women,” the researchers said in a statement announcing the news.
Mirvie Encompass: “Predicting preeclampsia”
Femtech World award-winner Mirvie’s first-of-its-kind Encompass technology was named in the top Medical and Healthcare inventions category.
Encompass provides personalised predictions of the risk of preeclampsia early in pregnancy through a simple blood test. This allows women and their healthcare providers to take action earlier to support a healthy pregnancy and aims to address increasing preeclampsia rates. TIME highlighted a 10,000-patient study published earlier this year, in which Encompass correctly identified 91 per cent of women who would develop preterm preeclampsia.
Maneesh Jain, CEO and co-founder of Mirvie, commented: “We are proud and honoured that Encompass is recognised as a TIME Best Invention of 2025. For 100 years, the reactive approach to identifying preeclampsia in pregnancy hasn’t changed – until now. “At Mirvie, we’ve invented tools that predict pregnancy complications – like preeclampsia – early enough for moms and their care teams to take preventive action. Innovations like Encompass are essential to delivering the next-generation pregnancy care that is needed to improve maternal health outcomes.”
Miudella, Sebala Women’s Health: “A groundbreaking hormone-free IUD”
The first hormone-free copper IUD to obtain FDA approval in 40 years, Midudell by Sebala Women’s Health, also made TIME’s list.
The device, which aims to improve women’s experience of contraception, was granted approval by the FDA in February 2025. Kelly Culwell, head of research and development at Sebala Women’s Health, explained that Miudella was designed to improve the insertion experience through a preloaded inserter with a rounded tapered tip and narrow insertion tube diameter.
The flexible nitinol frame and lower dose of copper were designed to decrease the side effects of using a copper IUD, including lower rates of expulsion and side effects of bleeding and pain.
“We are delighted that MIUDELLA was named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025 list,” Culwell told Femtech World.
“This recognition further supports our belief that the novel design of MIUDELLA will offer an innovative option for birth control for women nationwide.
“The response from healthcare providers, our current study investigators and women has been very positive since FDA approval. There is clearly an unmet need for additional non-hormonal contraceptive options in the US.”
Joeyband: “Uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact”
Making the Honourable Mentions list, Joeyband enables uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between newborns and their caregivers in hospital settings such as operating rooms and NICUs. Created out of one mother’s experience, the device is now used in hospitals around the world to improve postpartum recovery and health outcomes.
“As a Canadian company, being honoured by TIME’s Best Inventions is deeply meaningful,” says Cox.
“Joeyband was born from a moment of fear, but has transformed into a movement for safer, more connected beginnings for families everywhere. It started with a gap that Hayley Mullins (Inventor of Joeyband) recognised in how mothers and caregivers could safely practice skin-to-skin, and has grown into a device now used in hospitals and homes around the world.
“For us, this recognition reinforces that meaningful innovation doesn’t always come from a lab; sometimes it starts in your living room, holding your newborn, dreaming of a better way.”
Egal Pads on a Roll: “Ultra accessible menstrual pads”
Designed to address poor access to menstrual products and make period care more convenient, Egal Pads’ ‘Pads on a Roll’ were also named in TIME’s Health and Wellness category.
The concept was created by Tom Devlin, whose wife reported on women’s issues for the Boston Globe. By designing pads to resemble a toilet paper roll, which fit into standard dispensers, the aim was to normalise their presence while eliminating the costs associated with vending machines. According to TIME, the company now supplies more than 1,700 schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities.
“We at Egal Pads are thrilled that ‘pads on a roll’ won as one of the best inventions in 2025,” said Penelope Finnie, CEO of Egal Pads.
“This recognition celebrates a product that’s transforming lives with its innovative, accessible design – delivered right where it’s needed, like toilet paper. And we love the fact that it was designed by a man, Tom Devlin, demonstrating how important it is that we all support and understand one another.”
Osteoboost: “Reduce bone loss with a belt”
Another Femtech World award-winner, Osteoboost, also made the list for it’s device which aims to slow bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures in osteoporosis, a condition which disproportionately affects women. The FDA-cleared vibrating belt, which is worn around the hips consistently has been shown in studies to reduce spinal bone loss in by 85 per cent.
In a statement, Osteoboost CEO, Laura Yecies, said: “This award is more than a milestone for Osteoboost; it’s a moment of acknowledgment that bone health matters, that it deserves focus, and that change is finally coming.
“We’re proud to be taking a leadership role in a growing movement that’s driving women’s health into a new era. Women’s health is experiencing a golden age of innovation! From menopause and fertility to cardiovascular and skeletal health, scientific researchers and startup founders are tackling long-ignored needs with energy and empathy. Bone health is emerging into that same zeitgeist. And it’s about time.”
Teal Wand: “At-home cervical cancer test”
The Teal Wand, which aims to make cervical screening more comfortable and accessible for women, was also recognised by TIME. Earlier this year the device became the first at-home screening test for cervical cancer to be FDA-approved.
In a LinkedIn post celebrating the news, the company said: “The Teal Wand was designed to meet women where they are, bringing privacy, comfort, and control to an essential part of preventive care. We’re proud to see women’s health innovation recognised on a global stage and to be part of a movement redefining what it means to design healthcare for women.”
Butterfly iQ3: “A portable solution for rural maternal care”
Approved by the FDA in 2024, Butterfly’s portable ultrasound with 3D imaging was listed in TIME’s Special Mention category. The iQ3 builds on Butterfly’s Ultrasound-on-Chip™ technology to “close critical gaps in healthcare delivery, supporting earlier detection, faster diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.”
With features such as AI-enhanced processing, 3D imaging modes, and versatile anatomical presets, the technology enables clinicians to bring diagnostic capability to settings with limited infrastructure. TIME notes that Butterfly has received investments from the Gates Foundation to support its use for improving maternal outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.
Momcozy Air 1 Ultra-Slim Breast Pump: “A discreet and portable smart pump”
Also given a Special Mention in the parenting category is the Momcozy Air 1 Ultra-Slim Breast Pump, which allows users to track milk volume in real time and control suction strength via a smartphone app. The slim, discreet design also aims to reduce bulk without sacrificing performance or convenience.
The company’s design philosophy leans on what it describes as “Cosy Tech”, with innovations built around the needs and lived experience of mothers, and feedback from women is crucial for refining usability, comfort, and portability in its products.
Celebrating innovation in women’s health
To compile the list, TIME solicited nominations from its editors and correspondents around the world, as well as an online application process, paying special attention to growing fields, such as health care and AI. Each contender was evaluated on a number of key factors, including originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact.
For all those on the list representing the femtech sector, it’s welcome recognition, acknowledging the wider importance of innovation in women’s health.
As Joeyband’s Sarah-Almaza Cox put it: “This moment belongs to every woman whose idea has made the world a safer, healthier place.”
A hormone sensor being developed in Australia could help reduce fertility treatment costs and patient pain during IVF.
When preparing for egg collection or an embryo transfer, IVF patients rely on clinicians to closely monitor hormone levels to ensure the procedure is timed precisely when progesterone, oestradiol and luteinising hormone levels are optimal, giving the patient the best chance at conception.
Currently, blood tests are the primary method of measuring progesterone levels, requiring patients to undergo multiple blood draws at a laboratory during certain stages of their menstrual cycle.
However, this approach has several limitations.
For example, if testing falls on a weekend, when most labs are closed, IVF providers are forced to choose a less optimal testing time, potentially affecting treatment precision.
University of Melbourne alumni Edgar Charry and Muhammad Umer, whose partners have lived experience of infertility, created a reproductive health solution by developing a biosensor that can detect progesterone and oestradiol levels using fluid found in the skin, rather than in the blood.
Their startup company Symex Labs has partnered with the University of Melbourne to translate their research into a commercial product.
“Previous research shows nearly all hormones that exist in blood, are also present in interstitial fluid,” said Symex Labs co-founder Charry.
“Interstitial fluid is clear fluid just under the skin that sits between cells, delivering nutrients and carrying away waste.”
“Our biosensor will eventually be worn as a patch and will work by penetrating the skin using small microneedles to attract progesterone molecules in the patient’s interstitial fluid.
“These molecules will bind to the surface of the probe, generating electrical activity. The technology then translates the electrical activity to progesterone levels, ultimately informing the IVF clinical team if the patient is ready for embryo transfer.
“This data will be sent directly to the clinic’s monitoring system, allowing IVF nurses to review the results and advise the patient.”
Monash IVF research director associate professor Mark Green said that, for Monash IVF, the investment in Symex Labs aligns with the company’s focus on innovation and improving the patient journey.
“This technology will save patients time and money as they can conveniently wear the patch in the comfort of their own home, resulting in fewer visits to the clinic and fewer painful injections,” associate professor Green said.
“The biosensor would also be a gamechanger for women living in regional areas, who often have to travel long distances for blood draws.”
As the exact amount of progesterone in interstitial fluid is not well understood, Symex Labs is conducting a world-first clinical study at Monash IVF to establish baseline levels by benchmarking them against concentrations measured in blood samples.
Researchers say their hormone tracking technology also has wider clinical applications beyond the IVF sector.
“Our wearable hormone biosensor has strong potential well beyond fertility care, particularly in PCOS management, perimenopause and menopause symptom management, where continuous hormone insight can replace today’s indirect, symptom-based tracking,” said Symex Labs co-founder Muhammad Umer.
“By integrating directly with consumer health apps, the technology can enable personalised, data-driven management of chronic hormonal conditions and life-stage transitions that currently lack real-time biomarkers.
“For example, if a woman’s oestrogen is going up and down constantly, that’s often a sign that she is getting into that stage, so having access to this health information could help women implement lifestyle changes earlier.”
The research has received A$2.5m in funding from the federal government, the University of Melbourne’s Genesis fund, Monash IVF, RMIT and Breakthrough Victoria.
The first in-human pilot study is expected to get underway within the next 12 months, with commercialisation plans slated for early 2028.
Pregnancy complications may leave women more vulnerable to the long-term heart effects of stress, a recent study suggests.
A study of more than 3,000 women in their first pregnancy found persistently higher stress levels were associated with higher blood pressure after pregnancy, specifically in women who had adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia, preterm birth, having a baby that was small for gestational age, meaning smaller than expected for that stage of pregnancy, or stillbirth.
Among women who experienced these complications, higher stress levels over time were associated with blood pressure that was 2 mm Hg higher than that of the low-stress group during the years two to seven after delivery.
This was not the case among women who did not experience adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Virginia Nuckols, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow in the University of Delaware’s department of kinesiology and applied physiology, said: “For women who were having babies for the first time and had complications, referred to as adverse pregnancy outcomes, we found that higher stress levels over time were associated with higher blood pressure levels 2-to-7 years after delivery.
“This suggests that women who had pregnancy complications may be more susceptible to the negative effects of stress on their heart health, and taking steps to manage and reduce stress could be important for protecting long-term heart health.”
The researchers analysed records of 3,322 first-time mothers aged 15 to 44 who did not have high blood pressure before pregnancy.
The women were enrolled at 17 medical centres in eight US states, were pregnant with one baby and were having their first child. According to the authors, 66 per cent of participants self-identified as white, 14 per cent as Hispanic and 11 per cent as Black.
Blood pressure and stress levels were measured during the first and third trimesters, and again two to seven years after delivery.
Stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale, a standard questionnaire that asks how often people feel situations are uncontrollable, unpredictable or overwhelming.
Those who experienced moderate to high stress levels were often younger, between 25 and 27 years of age, had higher body mass index, a measure based on height and weight, and lower educational attainment.
The authors said it is not yet clear exactly how higher stress leads to higher blood pressure in women who had pregnancy complications, and that several factors are likely to be involved.
Nuckols added: “Future studies should examine why women with a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes may be more susceptible to stress-driven increases in blood pressure and test whether stress reduction interventions can actually lower cardiovascular risk for these women.”
High blood pressure during pregnancy can have lasting effects on maternal health, including preeclampsia, eclampsia, stroke or kidney problems, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation and management of high blood pressure in adults.
Monitoring blood pressure before, during and after pregnancy is crucial to help prevent and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Laxmi Mehta is chair of the American Heart Association’s Council on Clinical Cardiology and director of preventive cardiology and women’s cardiovascular health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and was not involved in the study.
Mehta said;’ “This study highlights the powerful connection between the mind and heart, emphasising the importance of stress management, particularly for those who have experienced adverse pregnancy outcomes.
“For the clinical care team, it reinforces the need to proactively assess and address stress as part of the comprehensive care we provide to our patients.
“Future research on whether targeted interventions to reduce or manage stress has a meaningful impact on long-term cardiovascular outcomes will be important as well.”
AI could help routine mammograms spot heart disease risk in women, as well as breast cancer, researchers have found.
A team from Emory University analysed regular screening scans from more than 123,000 women who had no prior history of cardiovascular disease.
Using an AI programme to quantify calcification and hardening in the arteries, they found women with severe cases had two to three times the risk of developing potentially fatal heart attacks, stroke and heart failure.
“This was true even in younger women under 50, a group often considered low-risk, and held up after accounting for other risk factors like diabetes and smoking,” said Hari Trivedi, Emory associate professor and co-director of the university’s Health Innovation and Translational Informatics lab, who described the research as the largest study of its kind.
“We wanted to test whether AI could use this to identify women at risk of cardiovascular disease at no extra cost or inconvenience.
“”For women, this means a mammogram you’re already having could also provide important information about your heart health, prompting a conversation with your doctor about preventive steps such as cholesterol testing or medication.”
The researchers’ work was published today in the European Heart Journal, from the European Society of Cardiology, which noted that women are largely underdiagnosed and undertreated for cardiovascular disease.
They wrote that the high resolution of routine mammograms could allow for essentially automatic, direct visualisation of the arterial beds within the breasts of nearly all adult women, with calcifications easy to detect and correlated with deposits found in other parts of the body.
The researchers said that, compared with imaging of the heart’s coronary arteries, where blockages narrow and impede the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle, calcifications in breast tissue affect a separate layer of the vessel, resulting in increased artery stiffness, a measure typically linked to long-term hypertension.
They described the finding as an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease and a potentially useful addition to traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
In an accompanying editorial, Lori Daniels, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, said that while fewer than 40 per cent of women may know their cholesterol levels, many more are up to date with their breast cancer screening.
“Two-thirds of women aged 50-69 in the European Union reported a mammogram within the prior 2 years, and in the USA, nearly 70 per cent of women aged 45 years and older were up to date with mammography according to American Cancer Society screening guidelines,” Daniels wrote.
“Breast arterial calcification has the potential to reframe this mismatch, leveraging a widely adopted cancer-screening platform to identify cardiovascular risk in women who may not otherwise engage with prevention.”
Pregnancy4 weeks agoFrance urges 29-year-olds to start families now
Menopause4 weeks agoWomen with ADHD almost twice as likely to experience perimenopause symptoms, study finds
Entrepreneur4 weeks agoKindbody unveils next-gen fertility platform
Entrepreneur2 weeks agoOura launches women’s health AI model
Menopause4 weeks agoMenopause specialist Haver joins Midi Health
Opinion4 weeks agoThe $128b paradox: Corporate wellness vs women’s burnout
Entrepreneur4 weeks agoKate Ryder headlines Women’s Health Week USA 2026 as full agenda goes live
Insight2 weeks agoWomen’s HealthX launches in Boston this December to transform women’s health through data and science
2 Comments