Health & Welfare

Until recently, we believed that symptoms for heart attack was the same for both genders, but they’re not". This was said by General Practitioner 

from the stage at Sopra Steria’s Women’s Night event. Speaking to an engaged audience in Oslo, Nohman discussed various challenges about women’s health with panelists 

, Director of Technology Leadership at Sopra Steria.

While it’s obvious that men and women have different bodies, medicine has long treated them as the same. Women often experience different symptoms than men, yet medical research has traditionally been male dominated. The result? Treatments and medical products designed for the male body by default.

A great example of how design can change this is the 

 which designer at EGGS helped shape. Together with the Norwegian startup Induvita, we designed a new balloon catheter and speculum for labour induction—specifically adapted to women’s needs. This wasn’t just about product design but about creating a better birthing experience by challenging tools historically designed by men without considering the female experience.

Why is women’s health so important?

Menstruation, menopause, and fertility are still topics many hesitate to discuss. "You can’t just leave your health issues at home when you go to work", said Frida Marie Grande. She shared how her doctor struggled to understand why she was crying of pain at home when she appeared seemingly fresh and healthy in the clinic.

Attitudes like these make it harder to speak openly about women’s health, and physical issues can turn into psychological burdens.
"We women keep a lot to ourselves, and that means it doesn’t show on the outside", Frida added.

Women’s health is still a taboo

Raising awareness and developing better, tailored treatments are essential for improving women’s health — and design plays a key role.

User-centered design can ensure that medical products and digital solutions truly meet women’s needs. Data-driven technology can provide better insight into one’s body, while ergonomically adapted medical instruments can lead to more accurate diagnoses and better treatments.

To create real improvements, designers must work closely with healthcare professionals and users. By understanding women’s unique needs, we can develop solutions that improve both health and quality of life. For far too long, male and female health have been placed in the same box. To change this, we need to think outside of it—and that’s what we designers do best!

How can designers contribute to meaningful change?

A big thank you to Sopra Steria for putting women’s health on the agenda through WASS (Women at Sopra Steria) Night. Let’s use this inspiration to create better solutions for women’s health in the future.

We must dare to talk about women’s health – and design for it