🩺 What We’re Learning from Hundreds of Women+: Trends from the HerSay Research Survey
It turns out, many women+ have challenges with navigating the healthcare system. You are not alone.
Why We Launched This Survey
At HerSay, we’re building something bold: an AI-powered app to help women+ prepare for medical appointments, track their symptoms, and finally feel seen in a healthcare system that often doesn’t listen.
But we didn’t want to build in a vacuum. We wanted to start with real voices — real data from real people.
So we launched the “Let’s Change Women’s Healthcare Together” Survey, and hundreds of women, non-binary folks, and those assigned female at birth from across the world shared their stories. Their input is shaping the foundation of HerSay.
Who We Heard From
Age Range: 25–54 (majority)
Location: Primarily Canada and the U.S.
Conditions shared:
Irregular periods, hormonal imbalance, chronic fatigue, ADHD symptoms, perimenopause, and many with no clear diagnosis at all.
What They Told Us
1. Delayed, Missed, or Dismissed Diagnoses
1 in 3 respondents still don’t have a diagnosis despite ongoing symptoms.
For those who did get a diagnosis:
~45% waited 6–12+ months.
Many shared that their concerns were chalked up to stress, weight, or dismissed entirely.
“Normal tests don’t mean everything is OK. They’re not designed for female biology.” - Survey Respondent
2. Most People Feel Unprepared for Appointments
70% didn’t know what to ask during medical visits.
Others forgot key symptoms or left appointments feeling confused or invalidated.
“I wish I had written down what I wanted to ask.”
“I didn’t feel confident enough to advocate for myself.”
3. Tracking Tools Aren’t Cutting It
Most people used period apps, phone notes, or paper journals, but…
Only 12% found them extremely helpful.
Many want smarter tools that surface patterns, connect symptoms, and suggest questions to ask.
“I track my symptoms across three apps — it’s exhausting.”
4. There’s Power in Community
Dozens expressed a desire for a private, safe space to learn from other women’s experiences.
“I think community is important. Like Reddit — but science-backed.”
“Testimonies from women going through the same thing would help.”
What’s Next
We’re taking all this insight and building the first version of HerSay — a smart, emotionally intelligent app designed to support women+ before, during, and after their healthcare encounters.
We’re also still collecting stories. If you haven’t taken our survey yet and have thoughts to share, click here to add your voice.
Join Us in Changing the Conversation
Too many people have been told their symptoms are “just stress,” “just hormones,” or “just in their head.” We believe your health is never “just” anything.
HerSay is here to help you track it, understand it, and speak up with confidence.
💬 If this resonates with you, sign up for the waitlist here and be part of the movement.
The HerSay Community: You’re Not Alone
One of the most powerful outcomes of this journey has been the community that’s already forming around HerSay — even before the app has launched.
From survey participants and in-depth interviews to Slack threads, DMs, and early events, we’re hearing one thing loud and clear:
“I thought I was the only one.”
HerSay is more than an app — it’s becoming a movement of women+ who are tired of being dismissed and are ready to take their health into their own hands, together.
Here’s what our early community members have told us:
“I cried reading the survey questions — someone finally gets it.”
“I feel like this is the app I’ve needed for a decade.”
“I don’t want to be gaslit anymore — and I want to help others feel seen too.”
We’ve already welcomed hundreds of people to the waitlist, gathered hundreds of voices in research, and begun building circles of trust, support, and shared experience that will live both in-app and beyond.
Want to connect with others navigating similar health journeys? Join our growing community here and be part of the movement to make women’s healthcare more human, data-driven, and heard.