Unlocking Women’s Health with Wearable Technology

Wearable health technology, like the WHOOP device, is transforming how women manage their health, with a growing demand for personalized and targeted products, and is becoming increasingly important in the healthcare landscape.

Two years ago, I embarked on a wellness journey to the Four Seasons Sensei Lanai after having gone through breast cancer treatment. Ahead of the trip, my wellness guide sent me a WHOOP device so I could start tracking my health before I arrived. The WHOOP was a mysterious thing—a simple black band for my wrist with an app that held a world of data, from the quality of my sleep to how much stress I experience and how I recover. To get the most out of my trip to Lanai, I had to wear the WHOOP and track all the data for two weeks, including logging daily behavior, like how much alcohol or caffeine I consumed and when I woke up. Logging daily habits aside, privacy was also a consideration. Where was all the information going? Who would be able to see it? What could it be used for? That concern was balanced by the reminder that, as someone who had been diagnosed with and received treatment for breast cancer, I had been the beneficiary of decades of research and data. So, I opted in and got used to tracking everything, and I started to rely on the data to let me know how things were going in my life.

Over the past decade, wearable health technology has transformed how we manage our health. For women, it has the potential to become a game-changer. According to a 2023 report by Statista, the global wearable technology market is projected to reach $118 billion by 2028, with a notable 35% increase in female-focused wearables since 2020. A 2022 McKinsey study revealed that 60% of women prefer wearables that provide personalized health insights, emphasizing a growing demand for more targeted products. Products like WHOOP, the Oura Ring, Apple Watch, and Fitbit have incorporated features such as menstrual tracking, pregnancy monitoring, and stress management tools, and they can assist women in every stage of life.

The Oura, a smart ring that collects data on over 20 biometrics, including heart rate, sleep, and stress levels, provides personalized insights and guidance and is stylish, making it more appealing to wear. It has been seen on celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow, and because it doesn’t have a display, it doesn’t distract like other screen-based devices. The ring can also use temperature data from the finger to detect slight increases in basal body temperature, which can indicate ovulation and help women trying to conceive or better understand their reproductive health. 

While much of the focus on wearable health tech for women has been on fertility and pregnancy, these devices are also making strides in other areas. Sleep health, HRV (heart rate variability) analysis, heart rate monitoring, temperature tracking, and early illness detection are just some of the benefits of using a tracking device.

Fitbit, a wearable device that has existed since 2007 and is now owned and operated by Google, has also entered the women’s health space. The latest device is the Charge 6, which has a sleek design, lightweight construction, and advanced health-tracking features. One of its best features is its ECG (electrocardiogram) functionality for heart health insights—the company says that the heart rate tracking is 60% more accurate than other models during high-intensity activity. 

By tracking heart rate variability (HRV), another familiar player—the Apple Watch—can detect irregular heart rhythms (such as atrial fibrillation) and perform ECG readings for early detection of cardiovascular conditions. Its blood oxygen monitoring provides insights into respiratory and overall wellness, while the fall detection and emergency SOS features enhance safety, especially for older users. The Apple Watch also integrates comprehensive fitness tracking, including activity rings, workout detection, personalized coaching, and mindfulness features such as guided breathing exercises and stress tracking, encouraging users to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

While wearables provide vast data, translating this information into actionable insights is challenging. Many users feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of metrics available, as I did when I started using my WHOOP device. However, with the help of several apps that help users understand the data, like Natural Cycles, which integrates with devices like the Oura Ring to make fertility tracking more accessible, and Fitbit and WHOOP, which provide daily readiness scores, users can gain a sense of of of control and confidence in their health management. Of course, to get detailed insights that help you understand the data, you need to subscribe to a membership plan. I had to do the same with my WHOOP device and found it worth the monthly fee.

Many users have expressed the need for more education on interpreting their health data and integrating it with healthcare providers. The ultimate goal is to create an ecosystem where wearable devices track health metrics and act as a bridge between users and their doctors, facilitating more personalized and effective care. We are moving closer to the day when we can walk into our physician’s office and have all our health information readily available. This progress is a reason for optimism and underscores the potential of wearable health technology in the healthcare landscape.

As wearable devices collect increasingly sensitive data, the issue of privacy is a serious concern. Women’s health data, in particular, is incredibly personal. While these devices offer unparalleled insights, they also gather information that could be misused. This concern is amplified in regions with restrictive reproductive rights laws. In some cases, women fear that their health data could be used against them, highlighting the importance of robust encryption and user control over data sharing. Recent debates around data ownership and third-party sharing have made many users question how secure their information is. This underscores the need for robust data protection measures and clear, transparent policies from companies in the wearable health tech industry.

Wearables collect vast amounts of personal health data, so ensuring this information remains secure and used ethically is essential. As innovation continues, striking a balance between technological advancement and user privacy will be key to the sustainable growth of wearables in women’s health.  

The rise of wearable technology tailored for women is an essential advancement in personal health monitoring and wellness management. These devices provide invaluable insights into sleep patterns, heart health, stress levels, and reproductive health, enabling us to make informed decisions about our well-being. But when it comes to finding the right device, it comes down to what works with your lifestyle. Are you a minimalist who prefers to focus without distraction or a multitasker who likes seeing all the data in real time? 

The WHOOP changed my behavior in a significant way. It has given me a much better understanding of my habits, which is ultimately good for my health. By harnessing the insights from these devices, we can bridge the gap between everyday wellness management and professional medical care. As more companies understand women’s healthcare, we can expect products and services to help us better manage our health and wellness journey.