11 Health and Wellness Startups Changing the Conversation Around Women's Health

During Women's History Month, we're discussing women's sexual, reproductive (that includes pregnancy, as well as pre-and postpartum care), and mental health. Your health is important regardless of relationship status, right? We have a ton of science-backed, doctor-informed resources should you need them on the different types of birth control, what happens to your body when you go off it, contraception, Plan B, issues with PCOS and your diet, and new sexual health products. Below, find a list of products and brick-and-mortar spaces created specifically for women and people with vulvas.

As women living in the world in 2021, so many of our mental and physical health needs are neglected. From lack of information about postpartum health and getting pregnant to navigating menopause and finding a good therapist, it feels like we're constantly fighting an uphill battle to get the education and care we need. Don't believe us? Just take a look at the postpartum ad the Oscars refused to air last year.

Luckily, there's a wave of female entrepreneurs out there working hard to change the women's health conversation—both through brick and mortar spaces as well as innovative products that actually work. Here are 10 companies making a difference.

The Products

Natalist

Natalist The Get Pregnant Bundle $78.00

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In that awkward seventh-grade sex education class, women learn one thing very quickly: If you so much as look at a member of the opposite sex, you'll probably get pregnant. But when we're ready to conceive (if we decide to), we learn really quickly the process isn't so easy. In fact, 6.1 million women in the United States between the ages of 15 and 44 have trouble getting or staying pregnant, according to the CDC.

That's where Natalist comes in. The health company's science-backed fertility products aren't just effective; they're sleek and elegant. Their "Get Pregnant Bundle" comes with seven ovulation tests (crucial for timing intercourse and increasing your odds), three pregnancy tests, a one-month supply of prenatal vitamins, and a one-month supply of Omega DHA. With your first order, you'll receive a "Conception 101" book, and with your second, you'll receive a "Parent Plans Heterosexual Edition" book.

Pause

Pause Hot Flash Cooling Mist $39.00

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Want to know who gets left out of the skincare conversation more often than not? Women going through menopause. And that's unfortunate because your skin undergoes quite a few changes during that time.

Pause is here to solve that problem, with skincare products for every stage of menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. From a collagen-boosting moisturizer to a hot flash-cooling mist, Pause gives women the tools they need and allows them the space to feel good about their place in life.

Love Wellness

Love Wellness pH Balancing Cleanser $15.00

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Dealing with another UTI or yeast infection? Congratulations, you're a woman living in a world of not-so-great "solutions" to common vaginal health problems.

That's where Lo Bosworth's company Love Wellness comes in. Love Wellness sells clean, body-positive personal care products like pH balancing cleanser, boric acid suppositories, probiotics, "do it all" wipes, and aptly named "UTI don't think so" supplements. You can also purchase supplements that help with bloating, balance, and gut health. Sign us up.

Eden

Eden HelloEden Dietary Supplements $46.00

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Ah, hormones: They can be your best friend and your worst enemy. That's why Eden set out to create a supplement that's all about "mindful nourishment for hormone balance"—an all-in-one nutritional supplement designed to optimize your hormonal health.

One capsule contains 28 synergistic ingredients, including B Vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and so much more.

Bodily

Bodily Care For Birth Box $105.00

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There's a lot of misinformation—and sometimes no information—about the postpartum experience. Enter Bodily, an online destination for everything you need to know about postpartum care and breastfeeding.

The brand was inspired by founder Tovah Haim's own experience, as there isn't much support out there for women in the days, weeks, and months after giving birth. Bodily has everything from helpful guides to postpartum emotions and body changes to a kit to help you manage postpartum recovery. Complete with mesh undies and cooling gel pads for sore nipples, Bodily is the answer to every woman's postpartum prayers.

Stix

Stix Pregnancy Tests $13.00

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Anyone who has ever tried to get pregnant knows one thing to be true: It's stressful. And then you start to get more stressed out when you think about the fact that said stress could negatively impact your odds of conceiving.

Enter Stix, your solution to confusing, hard-to-interpret lines and impersonal tests. Stix offers pregnancy test and ovulation test packs, which give you clear results and come with calming phrases like "take a deep breath." They're tests for women, by women—so you can say goodbye to that awkward, stressful trip to the pharmacy for pregnancy tests and ovulation kits.

Saalt

Saalt Soft Cup $29.00

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Saalt is modernizing reusable period care, offering products like menstrual cups and period underwear. As a health educator and philanthropist, Saalt's CEO Cherie Hoeger's mission is to improve the lives of women and girls globally. That's why Saalt allocates 2% of its revenue to donate improved period care to areas with the most need and fund initiatives in menstrual health and girls education.  On International Women's Day, 100% of Saalt’s website profits will be donated to Her International to help empower women and girls in Nepal with work and micro-credit opportunities and to provide annual education scholarships for girls in rural communities.

Honey Pot

Honey Pot Boric Acid & Herbs Suppositories $19.00

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Honey Pot was born out of founder Bea Dixon's own struggles with bacterial vaginosis. Unable to find relief, she created her own solution. The Honey Pot's products are powered by herbs, free of toxins, backed by science, and are biodegradable. In their product lineup, you'll discover a range of feminine hygiene products, including washes, menstrual cups, and suppositories. With an overarching mission of providing menstrual care to those who need it most, Honey Pot provides products for humans with vaginas who are homeless, low income, or living in poverty.

The Brick And Mortar Spaces

Tia

It's no secret our healthcare system is broken in the United States. One of the biggest issues is how impersonal going to the doctor feels—most doctors only have a few minutes to see each patient, and there's virtually no doctor-patient relationship. This can be make yearly gynecological exams feel especially dreadful, as any woman who has ever gritted her teeth with her feet in stirrups can attest.

Tia, a New York-based next generation women’s healthcare platform, is on a mission to change that. Inspired by founder Carolyn Witte’s experience struggling to navigate the healthcare system while going through a three year PCOS diagnosis process in her early 20s, Tia is on a mission to build a new distinctly female care model from the ground up, online and offline. Tia has an app, but they have a brick and mortar office in New York's flatiron district as well. And don't worry—they take insurance!

The Well

Tired of those three-minute-long doctor appointments that leave you without a diagnosis and prescription for a medication that you have no idea why you're taking? The Well hears you, which is why they created a beautiful, calming members-only wellness club in the heart of New York City.

Using a combination of Eastern and Western medicine, The Well offers up services like health coaching, functional medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, sports therapy, bodywork, and more.

The Moment

Seeking help for a mental health issue doesn't have to mean taking a rickety elevator up to the fifth floor of an old, broken-down office building before settling in on an uncomfortable couch across from a lackluster therapist.

Dr. Stacy Cohen started The Moment to create a space and community that would revolutionize mental healthcare. With a spa-like office in Santa Monica, Dr. Cohen creates the truly integrative approach necessary to build lasting recovery from complex conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, and addiction.