By Gloria Kolb, Co-founder & CEO – Elitone
Healthcare for women is at a pivotal moment, especially regarding the distinct needs of women from varied cultural backgrounds. Significant gaps remain in areas like FemTech and treatments for conditions such as urinary incontinence or bladder leakage.
For millions of women worldwide, cultural sensitivities often complicate accessing these treatments, underscoring the necessity of culturally competent care. This approach considers not only medical needs but also the cultural contexts that shape each woman’s health journey and decisions.
Integrating culturally competent practices within FemTech can significantly enhance how healthcare is provided to women from diverse backgrounds. By focusing on personalized care, which considers physical, emotional, and cultural dimensions, we create a more inclusive, patient-centered healthcare system.
The Vital Role of Healthcare Providers in Culturally Competent Care
Healthcare providers are central to culturally competent care, especially for conditions like bladder leakage. That’s why understanding cultural sensitivities is critical to successfully treating this condition.
Taboos around incontinence prevent many women from seeking help, and these barriers can be even more pronounced in certain cultural groups. In more conservative cultures or communities across Black, Asian, and Middle Eastern backgrounds, for example, treatments requiring intravaginal devices can be particularly challenging, as these options may conflict with values around bodily integrity and discretion.
Additionally, bladder leakage is often associated with aging, which can make younger women hesitant to discuss it, especially in cultures that prioritize modesty. Long-standing cultural norms can also deter women from seeking help for personal health issues, especially those considered “private.” Providers must be sensitive to these beliefs and suggest non-invasive treatments that align with their patients’ values.
Offering culturally competent care means more than providing a one-size-fits-all treatment; it means delivering solutions that respect each patient’s unique context. Providers can better support women by listening to their concerns and offering treatment options that reflect cultural preferences.
Approaching Bladder Leakage with Cultural Awareness
Healthcare providers can empower women to discuss their health openly by cultivating a supportive, judgment-free environment. For instance, non-invasive external treatments for bladder leakage may be more acceptable and effective for some women, enabling providers to respect patient comfort and beliefs without compromising care.
External devices provide effective, alternative solutions for bladder leakage that avoid the need for internal application to better address cultural preferences around privacy and modesty. Healthcare providers play a crucial role by recognizing these nuances and recommending treatments for bladder leakage that balance medical efficacy with cultural sensitivity. Open communication and attentive listening help providers understand women’s needs and cultural sensitivities, addressing both the physical and emotional barriers to care.
By acknowledging the influence of modesty in certain cultures, providers can reassure patients that effective treatments, such as external devices, are available without the need for invasive procedures. This approach not only respects cultural values but also fosters a sense of inclusion, making women feel supported in their health journey and more likely to pursue treatment.
Developing Inclusive, Patient-Centered Healthcare Solutions
Meeting women’s diverse needs requires inclusive, patient-centered care that ensures healthcare solutions can seamlessly integrate into a woman’s life, medically and culturally. When women can see that their healthcare providers respect and understand them, their needs, and their culture, they will be more likely to engage in treatment plans and seek care earlier, which improves health outcomes.
Incorporating cultural competency as a core part of medical training is one step toward achieving better results in women’s health. Providers should be equipped to ask questions that reveal important cultural factors and create an environment where patients feel safe discussing personal concerns.
For women in cultures where bladder leakage carries a particular stigma, the silence around this condition can increase the emotional burden and delay — if not prevent — treatment. A stigma-free experience leads to earlier interventions and better results. By fostering culturally sensitive solutions, healthcare providers help women feel empowered to manage their health without fear of shame.
Breaking Down Barriers to Quality Care for All Women
Quality healthcare should be accessible regardless of a woman’s cultural background. Yet, for many women, cultural barriers limit their ability to seek or receive proper care due to stigma surrounding incontinence or unease with specific treatments. These obstacles must be addressed to improve health outcomes globally.
Education is crucial in overcoming these barriers. Many women don’t realize noninvasive and effective treatments for bladder leakage exist outside of traditional medication or surgery, which is why educating both patients and providers about the full range of culturally sensitive treatments can profoundly impact the lives of women who might otherwise go without care.
Providers can significantly improve healthcare by addressing these concerns directly. Often, women only mention conditions like bladder leakage at the very end of appointments. Encouraging open dialogue by asking about these sensitive issues helps women feel seen and supported, fostering a more inclusive healthcare experience.
Culturally competent care in FemTech is about elevating the quality of life for women everywhere, ensuring that every woman feels supported in managing her health on her terms, and crafting a healthcare environment that resonates with diverse women’s experiences and needs. Understanding and respecting cultural sensitivities allows providers to deliver care that fully meets those needs by offering non-invasive treatments and culturally aligned solutions.
About the CEO
Gloria Kolb is the CEO and co-founder of Elitone, A wearable, non-invasive treatment option for women with urinary incontinence, cleared by the FDA. Elitone’s accolades include winning Best New Product by My Face My Body, Sling Shot 2020, finalist in the Women Startup Challenge, and many startup pitch competitions. As an investor with 30+ patents, Gloria has been featured in Forbes as a Top Scientist Driving Innovation in Women’s Health. Her creative designs and problem-solving abilities have earned her recognition, such as Boston’s “40 Under 40” in 2003 and MIT Review’s “World’s Top Innovators under 35.” She has engineering degrees from MIT and Stanford, as well as an MBA in entrepreneurship from Babson College.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, nor does it replace professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
Published by Stephanie M.
