Women’s health research has long been underfunded. Many reproductive health conditions that impact a significant number of women, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and uterine fibroids, have no treatments and understanding of these conditions is still limited.

While U.S. government funding remains low in this area at 10% or less of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) annual budget, there is increasing interest in the private sector. The number of startups in the region focusing on women’s health has increased from around 40 in 2010 to more than 400 in 2025.

Women’s reproductive health as a field has suffered many setbacks since the thalidomide scandal of the 1950s and 60s. After thousands of women were prescribed thalidomide for morning sickness around the worl

See Full Page