Reimagining Women’s Health

Self-Care Innovation for Every Stage of a Woman's Life

Period pain, intimate health, and nutritional needs before, during, and after pregnancy—health-related issues specific to women occur throughout each phase of a woman’s life. Our human-centered approach to women's health innovation is rooted in a deep understanding of women's needs and the best science.

Women’s unique health needs are too often overlooked or ignored. Our approach to innovation means not just understanding those needs, but deploying the tools of science and technology to meet them in a way women will appreciate and enjoy using.

Abbie Lennox

,

Head of Regulatory, Medical, Safety, Quality and Compliance

Women’s Health Innovation Requires Listening and Setting Aside Assumptions and Taboos

At Bayer, human-centered innovation in women’s health starts with designing with the whole person in mind. Through consumer research and conversations, we’ve heard repeatedly that lack of education is a significant barrier to self-care solutions in women’s health and that often taboos get in the way. To get the most from innovation, women must understand their bodies, what is causing their ailments, and how to best treat their underlying causes. This understanding empowers women with the education they need to ask for the innovative improvements they want in the products and services they use.

At the same time, we must value and respect the things that make each woman an individual. A mother in Columbia and one in China may have similarities, but their needs and wishes differ. By focusing on technology platforms that can be adapted locally, we can develop products and solutions that meet the needs of the many while being customizable enough to address individual concerns.

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Intimate Health Symptom Assessment – Canesten and Ada partnership

Every Beginning by Elevit

Recent Bayer Self-Care Innovations in Women’s Health

Illustration of hologram of Earth Globe, with some icons floating like a the female sex sign, a heart with a baby in it, some pills, little Earth globe icons, a digestive system next to a clock and a person icon.

Confidence Through Clinically Proven Treatments

A vaginal yeast infection may feel uncomfortable, but choosing a treatment doesn’t have to be. Nancy Richaud, a packaging engineer at our Innovation Center in Gaillard, France, and her team improved the application experience for this intimate health product, Canesten GYN. Through an iterative design and testing process, the team developed an applicator that makes treatment easy to use at home and allows women to treat the infection at the site of symptoms, so they disappear quickly.

“My proudest moment was hearing from consumers when we first launched this applicator. They felt confident and raved about the improved experience. I'm incredibly proud of this innovation as it enhances women's well-being and comfort.”
– Nancy Richaud, Packaging Engineer

The Truth, Undressed & the Canesten Vagina Academy

This ground-breaking, global program showcases the truth about vulval and vaginal anatomy and health. Lesson plans include an accurate, diverse, and non-sexualized portrayal of vulvas, pubic hair, and true-to-life depictions of vaginal discharge intended to break down stereotypes and stigma—and free people from shame and discomfort.

Launching Vagina Academy is the first step in our commitment to helping women of all ages and backgrounds free themselves from shame. By doing away with shame and bringing in easy and friendly education, women can truly understand their bodies, talk more openly about issues, care for themselves better—and ultimately live their lives more fully.

Elevit’s Core Pregnancy range

The first 1,000 days of a baby's life are a critical time to set the foundation for lifelong health and development. The right nutrition and care during the 1,000 days window shapes a baby's ability to grow, learn, and thrive. The Nourishing the Future Global Report revealed that 60% of parents don’t realize poor nutrition impacts a baby's growth and development during both pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, most people understood that diet was important when embarking on the parenting journey: 68% of respondents said their everyday diet would need to change when trying to conceive. Elevit’s Core Pregnancy range provides tailored nutrition for each stage of the pregnancy journey to help parents, parents-to-be, and HCPs make the right choices at the right time to give children the best start in life.

Drug-free Relief for Period Pain

Busy schedules don’t include time for distracting, annoying menstrual cramps and backaches. Midol® Heat Vibes are not only effective and drug-free, they last up to 8 hours. The heat therapy relieves back pain and cramps associated with PMS and menstruation by promoting blood flow, reducing muscle tension and relaxing muscles. The convenient design fits seamlessly under clothing for discreet, on-the-go use.

Innovation Showcases

Unlocking Precision Health

Digital tools have changed nearly every aspect of people's lives and work. But that change has been slow in the world of consumer health. Innovations in precision health will enable people to take greater control of their health through digital solutions.

Healthy Planet, Healthy People

The planet’s changing climate has fueled the increase of many health issues and chronic diseases. Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and people living in lower income communities are often disproportionately impacted.

Insights Drive Our Innovation

Everyone deserves better health. The development of self-care products should be rooted in a thorough understanding of human biology and credible medical insights, both to deliver a true medical benefit and to ensure products’ safety.