For too long, women have been made to feel ashamed of natural occurrences in their bodies, such as menstruation, menopause, and the biological changes from puberty and childbirth. Parnian Majd, Fibra’s Founder and CEO, is leading a revolution in a world where women’s health often takes a back seat, through her groundbreaking product, Fibra smart underwear.
“We’re talking about these topics boldly, bluntly, and unapologetically,” says Parnian when asked about how she’s been navigating these often-taboo topics. She believes that by discussing women’s health openly, it lifts the shame associated with it. Over time, she envisions openness and transparency creating a domino effect where more stories are shared, helping other women and breaking long-standing cultural barriers. Through the development of smart underwear that tracks fertility and other reproductive health metrics, Fibra is transforming how women understand and manage their bodies.
A Personal Journey
Parnian Majd’s path to founding Fibra was shaped by deeply personal experiences. Growing up, she became acutely aware of the cultural taboos surrounding natural occurrences in women’s bodies, such as menstruation and fertility. These societal norms sparked a curiosity in Parnian to challenge the status quo and imagine a world where women’s health was no longer shrouded in shame.
Her journey took a pivotal turn during her fourth year of undergraduate studies. While working at an office on campus involved in strategic initiatives like the DMZ, she was exposed to the world of entrepreneurship. It was here that Parnian had a moment of realization: she didn’t need to wait until she was older or financially secure to make a meaningful impact. Instead, she could begin right then and there, leveraging her passion for change and her growing understanding of business to create a solution that could transform women’s health.
Driven by a desire to address the limitations of traditional fertility tracking methods, Parnian saw firsthand how inadequate and inconvenient many solutions were. There was a clear gap in the market for something more accurate, discreet, and easy to use. This personal connection to the issue ignited her passion to break down the taboos surrounding women’s health and empower women with better tools to understand and manage their bodies.
One of the most inspiring moments of Parnian’s journey came when she was honored with the EY Woman of the Year award. This recognition was especially emotional for her, as it came shortly after a visit to her home country of Iran. There, she met brilliant young women who lacked the opportunities Parnian had access to. Their stories reminded her of the responsibility she felt to give her best, particularly when it comes to advancing women’s health and empowering women everywhere with the tools and knowledge they deserve.
The Data Gap in Women’s Health: A Historical Challenge
One of the critical issues Fibra seeks to address is the longstanding data gap in women’s health. Historically, women were excluded from clinical trials until the 1990s, leaving medical research and healthcare solutions disproportionately geared toward men. This exclusion has had profound consequences, as many conditions affecting women, such as hormonal imbalances, menstrual disorders, and diseases like endometriosis, remain under-researched and inadequately treated compared to their male counterparts.
Fibra aims to help close this gap by providing women with the tools to better understand their reproductive health. The data collected through Fibra’s smart underwear is not only helping women track fertility but also providing a wealth of information that could ultimately lead to the development of more precise treatments and preventative measures for female-specific conditions.
Fibra: A Game-Changer in Women’s Health
Fibra’s smart underwear integrates seamlessly into women’s daily lives, offering a discreet, non-invasive way to track critical fertility indicators. The underwear uses advanced sensors that collect valuable data, empowering women to make informed decisions about family planning and optimizing their chances of conception. Unlike traditional fertility monitoring, which may require blood tests, temperature charts, or invasive procedures, Fibra provides an elegant solution that fits into everyday life.
How Does Fibra Work?
Fibra uses cutting-edge technology to deliver a non-invasive and convenient solution for women’s reproductive health monitoring. Here’s how it works:
Sensor Technology: At the heart of Fibra’s design are advanced sensors seamlessly woven into the fabric of the underwear. These sensors measure various physiological and biomedical markers, such as body temperature, pH levels, and other biomarkers related to fertility.
Data Collection: The sensors continuously collect data throughout the day and night, providing a comprehensive and real-time picture of a woman’s reproductive health.
Data Analysis: Once collected, the data is transmitted to a secure cloud platform where it is analyzed using sophisticated algorithms. This platform identifies patterns, offering personalized insights into a woman’s fertility cycle, ovulation periods, and overall reproductive health.
Personalized Insights: These insights are then shared with the user via an intuitive mobile app. The app provides actionable feedback, such as identifying the optimal fertility window, potential ovulation dates, and early pregnancy detection.
Non-Invasive and Comfortable: The Fibra Advantage
A major advantage of Fibra’s smart underwear is its non-invasive nature. Unlike other fertility tracking methods that may require blood tests, injections, or even invasive imaging procedures, Fibra’s technology works discreetly and comfortably within a woman’s everyday routine. The design of the underwear ensures that it is easy to wear and does not disrupt daily activities, making it an ideal solution for those looking for a low-maintenance, non-invasive method of monitoring their health.
Moreover, the ability to continuously track and monitor personalized data unlike period trackers without external interventions eliminates the discomfort often associated with traditional reproductive health methods. For women who value privacy and ease, this provides an attractive alternative to cumbersome or intrusive medical procedures.
Beyond Fertility Tracking: A Vision for Holistic Reproductive Health
While Fibra’s initial focus is on fertility, the potential of this technology goes far beyond that. In the future, Fibra aims to expand its capabilities to offer insights into various aspects of women’s reproductive health, helping women navigate their entire reproductive journey, from puberty to menopause.
Menstrual Cycle Tracking: Fibra can help women understand their menstrual cycles, detect irregularities, and manage symptoms associated with hormonal fluctuations. This could be crucial for identifying conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis early on.
Early Pregnancy Detection: Fibra’s sensors could offer an early warning system for pregnancy, helping women confirm pregnancy even before traditional home pregnancy tests can detect it.
Postpartum Monitoring: For women recovering after childbirth, Fibra can track vital health metrics that support recovery and help identify potential postpartum complications like infections or hormonal imbalances.
Menopause Management: Fibra also holds promise for women experiencing menopause, helping them monitor the changes in their body and manage symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances with personalized insights.
The Future of Smart Wearable Textiles: A Revolution in Health Monitoring
The future of smart wearable textiles is incredibly promising. As the technology behind wearable sensors continues to improve, we can expect even more advanced capabilities in health monitoring. Fibra’s innovation is at the forefront of this revolution, offering a glimpse into how future smart textiles could play an even larger role in personal healthcare.
The integration of sensors into everyday clothing, like underwear, offers a frictionless way for women to monitor not only reproductive health but also general wellness. These smart textiles may soon be capable of detecting everything from heart rate to blood oxygen levels, expanding the possibilities of health monitoring beyond the reproductive system.
In the years to come, we could see a significant shift in healthcare paradigms, where wearable technology is no longer limited to the fitness trackers of today, but instead becomes an essential part of managing and maintaining individual health.
Conclusion
Fibra’s mission to empower women is a testament to the power of technology and innovation in breaking down barriers and challenging societal norms. By providing accurate, accessible, and personalized reproductive health information, Fibra is paving the way for a future where women have greater control over their health and well-being. Through its visionary approach to wearable health technology, Fibra is not just creating a product, it is creating a movement that will shape the future of women’s health for generations to come.
This excerpt is adapted from Episode 04 of Talent Talks. Listen to the full conversation, listen here.
