AI Tackles Menopause: A Bold Step Forward in Women’s Health
- Fearless Founders
- Feb 8
- 4 min read
Menopause impacts over 1 billion women globally, yet it remains one of the most overlooked areas in healthcare. In Europe, 60% of women report that menopause symptoms significantly disrupt their daily lives, and in the U.S., 45% say they feel unsupported by healthcare providers, according to a 2023 Global Menopause Study.
For Jacqueline Nuwame, this silence was unacceptable. As the founder and CEO of Minimal, an AI-driven platform that uses wearable health data to provide tailored insights, she’s revolutionizing menopause care and empowering women to navigate this transition with confidence.
The Need for Innovation in Menopause Care
Minimal analyzes wearable health data, offering insights into symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, weight gain, and mood changes.
“We’re turning wearable data into actionable insights,” Jacqueline says. “Instead of just tracking steps or heart rates, Minimal interprets that information in the context of menopause.”
The need for such innovation is clear:
Hot flashes affect 80% of women during menopause, often persisting for up to seven years (North American Menopause Society, 2023).
Sleep disturbances disrupt the lives of 61% of menopausal women, leading to reduced productivity and increased stress (National Sleep Foundation).
Post-menopause, women face a fourfold increased risk of osteoporosis, costing European healthcare systems over €37 billion annually in fracture-related treatments (International Osteoporosis Foundation, 2023).
The Hidden Costs of Menopause
Jacqueline emphasizes the societal and economic costs of untreated menopause symptoms.
In the U.S., businesses lose $14 billion annually due to menopause-related productivity issues (Mayo Clinic).
In Europe, 1 in 5 women leave the workforce prematurely due to severe symptoms, often at the peak of their careers (McKinsey, 2023).
Globally, only 18% of women access hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a treatment often misunderstood or stigmatized (EMAS, 2023).
“It’s not just a personal struggle—it’s a systemic issue,” Jacqueline explains. Minimal empowers women with data, helping them advocate for themselves and receive personalized care.
The Journey of Building Minimal
Building Minimal hasn’t been easy, particularly in a stigmatized healthcare space.
“Starting a business is hard; starting one in a stigmatized area is even harder,” Jacqueline admits.
She describes the struggle to gain traction and secure funding.
“When you tell investors you’re focusing on menopause, there’s often a lack of understanding—or even discomfort. It takes a lot of resilience to keep pushing forward.”
Nordic Innovation and Support
One of Jacqueline’s biggest breakthroughs came from the collaborative culture at Minc, a renowned startup hub in Malmö, Sweden.
“The Nordic approach to entrepreneurship is all about collaboration. It’s not just about building a business—it’s about creating something meaningful that benefits society.”
Nordic countries lead in healthcare innovation, investing over €500 million annually in digital health solutions (OECD, 2023). Organizations like Almi and Malmö University have provided Jacqueline with resources and mentorship to grow Minimal.
How Minimal Works
Minimal’s AI-driven approach helps women during menopause by analyzing wearable data and providing personalized recommendations based on heart rate variability, sleep patterns, temperature changes, and more.
“Our AI doesn’t just collect data—it translates it into meaningful insights,” Jacqueline explains. “For example, if a woman’s sleep patterns are disrupted by hot flashes, Minimal can help her understand triggers and suggest changes to improve her quality of life.”
Minimal eliminates the guesswork, offering clear, actionable advice in one place.
The Growth Mindset of a Founder
Jacqueline credits her growth mindset for helping her navigate challenges.
“Failures aren’t roadblocks—they’re stepping stones. Every mistake we’ve made has helped us refine the platform and make it better for our users.”
The Nordic Advantage
As a Malmö-based entrepreneur, Jacqueline sees the Nordic model of innovation as a major advantage.
“The Nordics prioritize human-centered solutions. It’s not just about profits; it’s about creating tools that truly improve people’s lives.”
Sweden’s digital health adoption is among the highest in the world, with 89% of Swedes regularly using e-health tools (OECD, 2023).
What’s Next for Minimal?
Jacqueline has big plans for Minimal’s future:
Enhanced personalization: “We’re continually improving our AI to provide even more tailored insights for every user.”
Community-building: “We want to create a space where women can share experiences and support each other.”
Education and advocacy: “Our goal is to demystify menopause and push for systemic changes in how it’s addressed in healthcare.”
She also plans to expand Minimal globally.
“This is a universal issue. Women everywhere deserve the tools and support to navigate menopause with confidence.”
Learn More
Website: www.minimalapp.coLinkedIn: Minimal AppInstagram: @minimal_menopause
Sources
Global Menopause Study, 2023
North American Menopause Society (NAMS), 2023
National Sleep Foundation, Sleep and Menopause Report
International Osteoporosis Foundation, 2023 Report
Mayo Clinic: Economic Impact of Menopause Symptoms
McKinsey & Company: Women in the Workforce Report, 2023
European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) Study
OECD Health at a Glance: Digital Tools in Nordic Countries, 2023
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