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Every year TIME releases a list of the best new inventions from around the world. And amongst this year’s crop of foldable smart phones, AI-detectors, and literal robots are some really cool inventions that actually cater to women’s health. And at a time where it seems like we’re literally going backwards in terms of women’s sexual and reproductive health, it’s nice to know that technology is still trying to propel us into a better tomorrow for women (even if our government isn’t).
Aside from literal threats to reproductive healthcare, this seems to just have been a not-so-great year when it comes to the whole “women’s health” thing. We found out that some people keep their IUDs in past their expiration date because they’re literally afraid of the pain and also that our tampons are basically trying to kill us. Ah, womanhood. So for TIME to include so many really cool and actually helpful inventions geared toward improving the lives of people with vaginas — it almost seems like we can take a slight sigh of relief. Here are some of the coolest women-focused inventions included in the 2024 TIME list.
Winx Health UTI Test & Treat
I can’t tell you how many times I have a suspicion that I might have a UTI but because it seems very “minor” I just refuse to go to a doctor or get it checked out. This UTI-testing kit allows you to to get results immediately after just peeing on a strip. It even gives you the option to connect with a certified doctor to see what medication you might need. Give me 20!
Rebalance Health Hot Flash System
Menopause symptoms can be, well, a betch. This Hot Flash System is an alternative for anyone who’s been using hormone-therapy to help with menopausal symptoms. It’s instead an herbal treatment that saw as much as a 80% decrease in hot flashes in women who took them.
Q-Vin QPad
I always feel super uncomfortable going to a OB/GYN appointment if I have my period — so I don’t. The only downfall to this is that I’m missing out on the opportunity to see if something may be wrong with my cycle (and I can bet good money that there is). This invention lets you take out its removable strip and send it in to a lab for diagnostic testing. Imagine how many women this will help — especially ones that may not be super comfortable with doctor visits.
Roche HPV Self-Collection Solution
If I could never have a Pap smear again, I would be a very happy girl — and looks like that might be the case. This home HPV-testing kit lets you screen yourself at home for high-risk HPV genotypes — and then hop on a call to get a medical consultation. I can’t even begin to explain how many women this could help and potentially save.
Daye Diagnostic Tampon
Imagine instead of a tampon that tried to kill you with its toxins, it actually helped you diagnose STDs and infections? You use the Diagnostic Tampon and then you get to have a video consultation with a doctor or a nurse — all in the comfort of your own home.
Aspivix Carevix
Whenever I speak to someone who has an IUD, one of the first things I hear about is the pain — and it’s usually because of the device known as the tenaculum that doctors are using to pull the cervix aside. The Carevix is an alternative that hurts much less and causes significantly less bleeding. So the fear around IUD insertions could become a thing of the past — and imagine what that could do to help women take more control over their reproductive health?
Nuvo Invu
This medical monitoring device is for pregnant women aimed at keeping both mom and baby healthy throughout the pregnancy. Say you miss a doctor’s appointment or don’t have the means to go to one — using this band will not only give you an idea of what’s going on in your and your baby’s body, but it’ll also send this info in to your doctor.
Dandi IVF Care Kit
Anyone who’s undergone IVF treatments knows that they are not a walk in the park — not unless that walk-in-the-park included getting stabbed and pumped with chemicals. This IVF Care Kit includes a heating pad with a special pocket to keep the progesterone vial warm, which can make injections smoother. There’s also a cooling pad to numb the injection site beforehand, reducing any discomfort. To help users inject accurately, the kit comes with shot targets, along with a hands-free supply belt that keeps everything securely in place during the process. Finally, a massage ball is included to help ease any clumps that can form from the injected progesterone. So basically the best IVF all-in-one kit you’ve ever seen.
