Innovative feminine pad designed for postmenopausal women to facilitate the delivery of vaginal estrogen cream

The product incorporates a soft, anatomically positioned elevated center designed to hold topical medication in close proximity to the vulvovaginal and periurethral tissues. Users or caregivers apply prescribed medication directly to the elevated portion of the pad, which is then placed into underwear for hands-free medication delivery. The medicated pad is worn overnight to allow appropriate time for medication absorption.

FemUroProtect pad addresses a significant gap in menopause care by simplifying the application of vaginal medications that are frequently underutilized despite strong evidence supporting their effectiveness in reducing symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) affects approximately 50–70% of postmenopausal women and is associated with vaginal dryness, irritation, urinary urgency, recurrent urinary tract infections, painful intercourse, and reduced quality of life. Despite its prevalence, GSM remains underdiagnosed and undertreated due to embarrassment, lack of education, and challenges associated with medication administration.

Vaginal estrogen therapy is recognized as an effective treatment for GSM and recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women. However, many women fail to use prescribed therapy consistently because:

• Application is messy. • Limited dexterity, arthritis, obesity, mobility limitations, or memory impairments make self-application difficult. • Caregivers may feel uncomfortable applying medication directly to genital tissue. • Patients may avoid treatment due to concerns regarding privacy and dignity.

As a result, women may continue to experience recurrent infections, worsening symptoms, increased healthcare utilization, and reduced quality of life.

Postmenopausal estrogen deficiency contributes to recurrent urinary tract infections through changes in vaginal tissue integrity, pH, and microbiome composition. Vaginal estrogen therapy has been shown to significantly reduce recurrent UTIs in postmenopausal women. Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses demonstrate a protective effect of vaginal estrogen, with approximately 40–60% reductions in recurrent infections compared with placebo.

Improved adherence to vaginal estrogen therapy may therefore lead to fewer UTIs, fewer antibiotic prescriptions, and lower risk of antibiotic resistance. Fewer provider and hospital visits also contribute to decreased healthcare costs.

UTIs account for millions of healthcare visits annually and contribute substantially to healthcare expenditures. Recurrent UTIs frequently result in repeated antibiotic prescriptions, urgent care visits, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations.

The population of postmenopausal women continues to grow globally. GSM affects up to 70% of postmenopausal women, yet many remain untreated. At the same time, recurrent UTIs remain a common and costly condition among aging women.

FemUroProtect represents a novel, patient-centered innovation designed to improve medication adherence, preserve dignity, support caregivers, and enhance urogenital health outcomes for postmenopausal women. By simplifying the administration of vaginal therapies, FemUroProtect has the potential to improve quality of life, reduce recurrent urinary tract infections, decrease healthcare utilization, and address a longstanding unmet need in menopause care.