Barriers to Implementing and Scaling Wearable Technologies in Women’s Health: Perspectives from a Gynaecologist in Switzerland

Women in the EU tend to live longer than men but often spend more years in poor health, mainly due to diagnostic delays and barriers to care, especially in sexual and reproductive health. These gaps are intensified by women’s underrepresentation in clinical research, which results in less accurate diagnostics and treatments. To achieve gender equality in health, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, there is a need for innovation in medical technology and research. Wearable-based digital health applications can enhance access, enable monitoring, and support personalized treatment for conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, menopause, and maternal health. However, challenges like limited healthcare professional engagement impede their widespread adoption. This paper explores the main barriers to integrating wearables into gynaecological practice, using data obtained from an in-depth, semi-structured interview with a gynaecologist. Results ind icate that several barriers currently prevent scaling digital women’s health, including a lack of scientific evidence for the technology, concerns about device reliability and data security, limited reimbursement, and inadequate IT infrastructure.