Wearable technology and digital applications poised to transform the menopause experience

We are seeing a societal sea change in recognising the importance of and attitudes towards the menopause experience, says Laura Yecies.

Long in the backwater and ignored, we increasingly recognise the significant impact menopausal symptoms have on women’s quality of life and the considerable health consequences the sudden loss of oestrogen has on women.

The menopause journey is a significant phase in a woman’s life, bringing with it a multitude of physical and emotional changes.However, for many women, this phase can be accompanied by a range of uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, bone loss, and more.

Fortunately, the rise of wearable technology presents an innovative and promising solution to transform the treatment and management of menopause symptoms.

Wearable technology promises to empower women during this crucial life stage, offering personalised insights, real-time monitoring, and personalised interventions to enhance their wellbeing.

The beauty of wearable technology lies in its ability to provide customised insights and recommendations tailored to individual needs.

By analyzing data collected from wearables such as heart rate variability (HRV), skin temperature fluctuations, and key indicators of menopause-related symptoms, advanced algorithms can generate valuable insights regarding menopause symptom patterns and potential correlations with lifestyle factors.

For instance, wearables can provide recommendations on diet, exercise, stress management techniques, and sleep patterns, helping women navigate this transitional phase with greater ease.

Wearable technology can facilitate biofeedback techniques, enabling women to actively manage and alleviate menopause symptoms. For instance, wearable devices and intelligent garments embedded with sensors can deliver localised temperature regulation to combat hot flashes.

By detecting skin temperature changes, the device can respond by cooling the body, providing immediate relief.

Sleep disturbances are prevalent during menopause, often leading to fatigue and diminished quality of life. Wearable technology can play a pivotal role in optimising sleep and managing insomnia.

Sleep trackers integrated into wearable devices can monitor sleep duration, stages, and disruptions. By analyzing this data, wearables can offer personalised recommendations to improve sleep hygiene and establish healthy bedtime routines.

For instance, they can suggest optimal sleeping temperatures, provide audio-guided meditation for relaxation, or deliver gentle vibrations to prevent disruptive snoring.

Moreover, wearable devices equipped with guided meditation and breathing exercises can help women regulate their stress levels and reduce anxiety associated with menopause. These devices can monitor heart rate and guide users through relaxation techniques, promoting calmness and emotional well-being.

The loss of oestrogen during menopause is directly tied to a period of rapid loss of bone – as much as three per cent per year.

This period of rapid bone loss often moves women from having normal bone density to osteopenia or sometimes even osteoporosis. This loss of bone places them at greater risk of fracture with significant associated morbidity and mortality.

There are several medications for treating osteoporosis, but most are not indicated for osteopenia.  There is now a wearable technology, Osteoboost, which has completed its clinical trial and has been clinically proven to reduce the loss of bone strength and bone density.

The device, a belt that delivers therapeutic, targeted, personalised vibration to the hips and lumbar spine, was studied and proven effective in post-menopausal women with osteopenia and has been submitted to the FDA.

As wearable technology continues to evolve, it holds immense promise in transforming the treatment and management of the menopause experience.

By enabling real-time tracking, personalised insights, biofeedback, sleep optimisation, and improving critical bone health, wearables empower women to take control of their wellbeing during this transformative life stage.

By leveraging the power of wearable technology, we can improve women’s quality of life, foster greater self-awareness, and provide them with the tools and knowledge to navigate menopause with confidence and optimum health.

 

Laura Yecies is the CEO and board member of the medtech company Bone Health Technologies. She holds an MBA in Business from Harvard Business School, an MSFS in International Trade + Diplomacy from Georgetown University.