What if we told you that women’s health data hasn’t truly been updated since the 1970s? That the last major research on critical bio-markers – indicators of our hormonal health, fertility, and so much more – was done before the internet even existed? As wild as it sounds, that’s the reality we’re up against. Here’s another kicker: as recently as last year, we got detailed bio-marker data for cows, yet nothing for women. If that frustrates you, you’re not alone.
President Biden’s recent $12 billion commitment to advance women’s health research is a huge leap forward, but it’s only a start.
But even though this funding marks a positive shift, $12 billion only scratches the surface. Bridging a research gap that spans generations will require a far more sustained and expansive investment – one that is supported by both public and private sectors. Real change requires more than funding; it demands action, voices, and a collective push to fill these gaps and prioritize women’s health with the urgency it deserves.
At Fibra, we’re tired of the status quo, too. We’re a woman-led startup working on something transformative – smart underwear that helps women track fertility bio-markers in real-time. But more than that, we’re here to ignite change for a health system that has neglected women’s unique needs for too long. And we know we’re not the only ones who feel this way. From day one, we’ve been driven by an essential question: How can we make women’s health data as powerful and as prioritized as any other sector of healthcare?
The Impact of the Data Gap on Women’s Lives
Historically, medical research has been heavily male-focused. Conditions like heart disease and diabetes have been thoroughly studied, leading to treatments that are largely informed by male physiology. This focus has had real consequences: heart disease, for instance, can manifest differently in women, yet for decades, clinical trials relied primarily on male subjects. In fact, women weren’t even required to be included in government-funded clinical trials until 1993.
This lack of focus has even led to medical myths that continue to shape treatment practices today. For example, many women who experience PCOS-related infertility are advised to “just try to lose weight,” while research around more effective, condition-specific solutions lags behind. The result? Women’s health issues are misdiagnosed, under-treated, or ignored entirely. And it’s not just women with complex conditions who are affected. Even routine health experiences, like menstrual pain or hormonal fluctuations, remain areas where medical knowledge is surprisingly limited, leaving women without answers, support, or proper treatment.
Imagine dealing with unexplained pain for years, finally being diagnosed with something like endometriosis or PCOS after a decade of trying to find answers. This is what millions of women face because data about women’s health is incomplete, outdated, or simply nonexistent. Women’s health issues are regularly misdiagnosed, under treated, or ignored entirely – not because there aren’t solutions but because there’s a lack of understanding due to decades of overlooked research.
Why Fibra Was Created: A Mission to Close the Data Gap
As a startup, we face our own set of challenges in this landscape. Being a woman-led company in a space that’s often underfunded and under-researched hasn’t been easy. But that only makes us more determined to drive the change we need. Fibra was created to help women reclaim control over their health with something as simple and familiar as underwear. Our smart underwear tracks bio-markers linked to fertility and hormonal health, giving women real-time insights into their reproductive health—a tool we believe every woman should have.
Our focus on bio-discharger, a key fertility bio-marker, is one way we’re working to close the knowledge gap. Most women don’t have easy access to data about their own health, and even less about something as essential as fertility. By prioritizing bio-marker tracking, we’re not just giving women information; we’re giving them power.
Why We Can’t Do This Alone: A Call for Collective Change
There’s an African proverb that resonates deeply with us: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” If we want to create a healthcare system that genuinely serves women’s needs, it will take all of us – healthcare providers, researchers, innovators, and each of you who understands the importance of this mission.
We need a collective push to ensure women have access to accurate, up-to-date health data, that research is inclusive, and that every woman’s health journey is respected and supported. At Fibra, we’re just one piece of this puzzle, but we’re here to lead and inspire. The journey toward equality in healthcare isn’t just our battle – it’s everyone’s.
Let’s Change Women’s Health Together
If you’re passionate about women’s health and want to support a company that’s pushing for progress, we invite you to join us on this journey. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about our upcoming product launch, join our waitlist to be the first to try our smart underwear, or share this post to spread the word.
Women deserve better. We deserve data, we deserve insights, and we deserve a healthcare system that values us. Let’s make it happen together.
