With the continuous technological advancements in the healthcare sector, wearable devices have emerged as invaluable assets in the prevention and treatment of various disorders and diseases. Particularly prominent among these wearables are smartwatches, which have garnered significant popularity among the younger demographic, fostering heightened awareness and concern for personal health and fitness.
Wearables, defined as body-worn sensors, play a pivotal role in detecting diverse health parameters. They meticulously collect and analyse patient information, empowering individuals to proactively prevent chronic illnesses or seek timely medical assistance when required.
Tailoring these technological marvels to the specific needs of women's healthcare is a noteworthy development. Recognizing the biological distinctions between men and women, wearables have been designed to address crucial aspects such as menstrual health, fertility, pregnancy, and nursing assistance.
Wearables for Women
Ovulation Trackers:
Ovulation trackers stand as established healthcare wearables for women, facilitating the tracking of ovulation cycles. These devices, discreetly inserted into a woman's vagina, monitor core body temperature to detect fertile windows. They provide timely alerts, enabling sexually active women to make informed decisions regarding contraception or conception.
Foetal Movement Trackers:
Wearables have significantly enhanced pregnancy healthcare through foetal movement trackers. Worn around a pregnant woman's belly, these devices enable both parents and healthcare professionals to monitor vital health parameters of the foetus. This includes hearing the foetal heartbeat, detecting movements, thereby reducing the necessity for frequent hospital visits for traditional ultrasounds.
Smart Nursing Devices:
Smart breast pumps not only assist in nursing but also offer mothers the ability to monitor various data points, including the quantity of pumped milk, breast specifics, and timestamps. Additionally, wearable devices permit parents to monitor their new-born's heart rate, body temperature, and other vital signs.
Smartwatches:
Recognizing the often overlooked physical fitness of women due to their multifaceted roles, smartwatches have become indispensable. These devices, worn on the wrist, provide real-time fitness data, enabling women to stay updated on their health while fulfilling caregiving responsibilities.
How Wearables Benefit Women's Health
Improved Menstrual Health:
Wearables have the potential to revolutionise women's healthcare by addressing menstrual health issues. More than 50% of women experience painful periods, impacting their education, work, and productivity. Wearables designed to alleviate menstrual cramps can be transformative for women, offering a practical solution to enhance their quality of life.
Enhanced Fitness and Health Tracking:
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, women often neglect their own health while caring for others. Wearables, including smartwatches and smart clothing, serve as constant companions, empowering women to prioritise their health by providing convenient fitness tracking options.
Smart Safety Devices:
Wearables designed as threat alarms or self-defence tools are pivotal in ensuring the safety of women, particularly when travelling or commuting alone. These devices, equipped with features like alerting nearby contacts in case of danger, contribute significantly to reducing the prevalence of rape and sexual assault.
Companion for Motherhood:
Wearables play a vital role in various stages of motherhood, from tracking menstrual cycles and ovulation to facilitating pregnancy and post-pregnancy care. By allowing self-monitoring of foetal health parameters and enabling parents to keep track of vital signs, wearables contribute to a decrease in infant mortality rates and an overall improvement in the quality of infant care.
Conclusion
Wearables have ushered in a new era in women's healthcare, providing not only essential health monitoring but also enhancing safety with features designed to combat threats such as sexual assault. These technological marvels have transformed healthcare, placing valuable health data at individuals' fingertips. Women no longer need to leave crucial aspects like menstruation and pregnancy to chance; instead, smart devices empower them to make informed decisions, thereby improving their overall quality of life and healthcare outcomes.