Flo is now FSA/HSA eligible
Published: 07 Mar 2025
International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8, serves as a pivotal moment to reflect on the progress made in gender equality and advocate for continued action, particularly in women’s health.
This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, underscores the urgency of addressing disparities in healthcare access, education, and research to improve health outcomes for women worldwide — barriers that Flo is dedicated to bridging.
The importance of IWD for women’s health
"Women’s health is our number one priority at Flo, so it’s something we think about every day," says Liudmila Zhaunova, PhD, Director of Science at Flo. “IWD helps remind us of the great initiatives and the people behind them who have been fighting for women’s rights for over a century. Of course, meaningful change does not happen with a single initiative run on a single day," she adds.
Claudia Pastides, Director of Medical Accuracy at Flo, echoes this sentiment. "IWD is a great opportunity to highlight the ongoing health inequalities women face and to push for meaningful improvements in care. Women’s health has historically been under-researched, underfunded, and often overlooked, leading to significant gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and overall health outcomes. Perimenopause, menopause, endometriosis, and heart disease in women are still poorly understood or dismissed, delaying access to care."
This issue is reflected in global health statistics. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women, yet only one-third of participants1 in heart-related clinical trials are women. Similarly, endometriosis affects approximately 10%2 of women worldwide, yet it takes an average of 7-10 years to receive a diagnosis. Overall, women spend 25%3 more time in “poor health” compared to men, according to a report by the World Economic Forum and the McKinsley Health Institute.
"One intention of IWD is to spotlight issues specific to women such as reproductive health. Although there has been recent recognition that health issues specific to females have been under-researched or under-recognized, we still have a long way to go,” adds Dr. Sara Twogood, obstetrician and gynecologist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group, California, US. “An annual reminder of the progress we’ve made and the tremendous strides we still need to take can help continue momentum and accountability."
Challenges in women’s healthcare
Despite progress, women still face significant healthcare challenges worldwide. Access to quality care, health literacy, and gender disparities in medical research are just a few of the barriers.
"We know from our own research and that of others that women’s health literacy, and in particular menstrual health literacy, is low throughout the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries," explains Liudmila. "If our health systems and societies do not provide girls and women with the education to understand how their bodies work and how to spot symptoms that require medical care, how can they know when to ask for help? Education and low levels of knowledge are one factor. On top of that, women are chronically underrepresented in clinical research and there is a lack of treatments for women’s health conditions. Overall, there is a big gap in knowledge and in the provision of care."
Dr. Twogood highlights another major issue: "Many pharmaceuticals are tested primarily on men, and the results are then transposed onto women. Female hormones and physiology may cause the medications to have different effects (both good and bad) on the female body."
Data shows that women experience adverse drug reactions nearly twice as often as men4, partly because they’ve been historically excluded from pharmaceutical trials.
The role of digital health tools in advancing women’s healthcare
Digital health tools, like Flo, are making strides to bridge these gaps by providing science-backed, reliable health information while leveraging data science to offer personalized insights.
"Digital health platforms like Flo provide accessible, evidence-based health information, empowering women to track symptoms and advocate for themselves," says Claudia. "Our AI-driven insights and expert-verified content help women make informed decisions about their health, even in regions where healthcare access is limited. Digital platforms also offer a supportive space to discuss stigmatized topics, helping to normalize conversations around menstrual health, fertility, and menopause."
The impact of digital tools is evident. Research shows that 84%5 of Flo users report that the app improved their knowledge about menstrual cycles and pregnancy, demonstrating how education can be effectively integrated into digital healthcare solutions (2.5k surveyed ('22)).
Digital health tools like Flo also play a massive role in fighting misinformation online. "There is an overabundance of health information available digitally,” says Dr. Twogood. “Some of it is terrific. A lot of it is absolute garbage, or even worse, predatory or a source of fear-mongering towards women. A health tool like Flo that emphasizes data and uses multiple checks and balances provides a reliable, comprehensive resource. I find over and over again that patients are overwhelmed and anxious about online health information. Flo is one of the resources I recommend because I know the information provided is reliable, thorough, and supportive."
Claudia emphasizes the importance of evidence-based medical content: "Medical accuracy is a huge priority for us. Our content is rigorously reviewed by a team of expert doctors, including OB-GYNs, fertility experts, psychologists, and more. We also collaborate with leading health institutions such as EBCOG and UNFPA to ensure our content is reliable."
She adds that medical accuracy is particularly crucial in women’s health, where misinformation is widespread. “Women’s health education is often lacking in school curriculums, leading many to seek information online — sometimes from unreliable sources."
Digital tools like Flo also have the potential to bridge the gender data gap and accelerate female health research by providing valuable insights tailored to women’s unique health needs. Historically, medical research has relied on male-centric data, leaving a significant gap in understanding the female body. By collecting and analyzing data specific to women’s health — such as menstrual cycles, hormonal changes, and other gender-specific conditions — digital tools like Flo can offer personalized content that empowers women to make informed decisions.
“Data is a key driver in helping guide women to make medical decisions,” says Dr. Twogood. “Nothing is 100% guaranteed in health and health care and every human body is different, but being able to provide solid data about treatment options, side effects, limitations, and expectations can help doctors and their patients come up with the best plan for that individual.”
Just last year, Flo published a groundbreaking study6 on cycle variability using data from 19 million users — the largest of its kind. The research included women aged 18 to 55, expanding the scope of research beyond the typical age range of 18 to 45. This is particularly important as it offers valuable insights into the cycles and symptoms of women beyond the age of 45, an area historically under-researched. By tapping into this vast data, Flo is driving forward a more comprehensive understanding of women's health and contributing to more accurate, personalized medical care.
The future of women’s health research
Only 1% of healthcare research and innovation was invested in female-specific conditions beyond oncology in 2020, but Flo is fighting to actively advance female health research.
"We conduct and will continue to conduct research across a broad range of women’s health topics, from menstrual to sexual health," says Liudmila. "One key focus area for us going forward is perimenopause, where we are seeing more research on symptoms, treatments, and outcomes for women in this life stage."
IWD is a reminder of the progress still needed in women’s healthcare. By providing education, personalized insights, and access to credible research, Flo is working alongside OB-GYNs and healthcare professionals to close the knowledge gap and empower women to take control of their health. Together, we can accelerate action toward a future where every woman has the tools, knowledge, and care she deserves.
