Top Startups Helping Women Manage PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a condition that affects millions of women worldwide, including over 2 million women in the UK.

However, given how hard it is to diagnose PCOS, it’s unclear how accurate these statistics are, with many believing the real numbers are much higher.

This difficulty in diagnosis mainly comes from the fact that the symptoms can be hard to spot or easy to miss. For example, some common symptoms include missed or irregular periods, cysts on ovaries, extra body hair, acne and in some cases, infertility.

According to the Oxford University Press, though the cause of the disease is unknown, certain countries have a higher percentage of PCOS cases. In 2017, the top five countries included:

• Ecuador
• Peru
• Bolivia
• Japan
• Bermuda

 

Is There A Cure For PCOS?

 

As there is currently no cure for PCOS, many companies, including startups, have evolved to help women manage the symptoms.

For some, this may include hormone re-balancing or medication to help with getting pregnant. For others, PCOS can be made worse through diet, so simple lifestyle changes can make a differece.

 

How Are Tech And Startups Helping Women Manage PCOS?

 

Startups and tech companies are helping women manage PCOS in a number of ways. For some, this involves data tracking and lifestyle changes, that are evaluated and implemented on a daily basis.

For others, hormone testing and balancing is playing a key role in ensuring that women are informed about their bodies and can act accordingly. Products like supplements are gaining massive popularity in the space, especially as there are a number of vitamins and minerals that have been proven to help with symptom management.

Here, we look at some of the top startups making waves in the PCOS care space.

 

Curate

 

 

Curate is a personalised PCOS management tool, built to help people adopt and stick to a healthy lifestyle. Users start by taking an assessment that allows their AI to identify the root cause of their PCOS. Then, they get presented with a bespoke wellness routine that allows them to work on reducing the effects of their PCOS.

The startup also allows its users to speak to professionals, track their progress and monitor their health – creating a 360 approach to combatting PCOS.

 

 

May Health

 

 

May Health is focused on changing fertility care for women with PCOS with their Ovarian Rebalancing programme.

The startup is developing a way to lower androgen production, which can help restore ovulation: a primary concern for those struggling with PCOS. Whilst the technology is still in its testing stages, the company aims to create a non-invasive but effective way to help women with PCOS take control over their fertility.

 

Veera Health

 

 

One of the main symptoms of PCOS is weight gain – Veera Health helps women with PCOS manage their weight, adopt better lifestyle habits and nurture their bodies.

The platform uses the five pillars of nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress and consistency. Combined with a personal health coach, women are able to track their progress over time, making the management of PCOS symptoms easier and more effective.

 

Flo Health

 

 

FLO Health is a period-tracking app designed to help women better understand and manage their menstrual cycles.

The FLO app provides personalised insights and recommendations based on a woman’s menstrual cycle data. From here, women can take control of their reproductive health – a key consideration for those struggling with PCOS.

 

Allara Health

 

 

Allara Health aims to treat PCOS at its root: through personalised hormone treatment.

Through personalised treatments, professional guidance and lifestyle management, the company aims to give women better care and advice when it comes to their PCOS.

 

Hertility

 

 

Hertility is helping women take control of their reproductive health with their at-home hormone and fertility testing kits.

Given so many women may not know they have PCOS, despite experiencing some symptoms, hertility helps them test at home to provide a quicker diagnosis. After this, women are able to purchase additional tests or speak to a healthcare provider to discuss their results.

 

S’moo

 

 

S’moo is a brand that has created natural supplements specifically designed for women with PCOS.

The startup’s hero product, “S’moo Ovary Good,” is a hormone balancing powder that helps women ensure they get the vitamins needed to combat PCOS symptoms.