U.S. Women’s Health Market (By Application: Hormonal Infertility, Contraceptives, Postmenopausal Osteoporosis; By Age; By Drug; By Distribution Channel) - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2023-2032

The U.S. women’s health market size was estimated at around USD 20.96 billion in 2022 and it is projected to hit around USD 31.27 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.08% from 2023 to 2032.

Key Pointers

• The Prolia segment held the largest market share of 16% in 2022.
• The contraceptive segment held the largest market share of 37% in 2022.
• The others segment including women aged less than 50 years held the largest market share of 60% in 2022.
• The hospital pharmacy segment led the U.S. women’s health market with the largest revenue share of 48% in 2022.

Report Scope of the U.S. Women’s Health Market

The U.S. market for women’s health is anticipated to witness growth due to the rising prevalence of women’s health-related conditions, increasing government and various organizations initiatives, and rising funding from public organizations in family planning services. For instance, various coverage plans in the U.S. provide preventive services for women without copayment charges, including folic acid supplements for women who are likely to get pregnant, screening for breast cancer, anaemia screening on a routine basis, hepatitis B screening, and contraception.

According to WHO, the health status of women in the U.S. is typically poor. Women are more susceptible to various diseases, especially postmenopausal, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, obesity, anaemia, menstrual health disorders, depression, and fibromyalgia. Around 75% of postmenopausal women experience hot flashes, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, which can lead to an increase in dependence on medications & impair their quality of life. Postmenopausal women aged 49 to 59 are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders.

Although women make up more than 50% of the population and sex differences affect all tissues, organs, and bodily processes; little focus has been placed on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of women’s specific health requirements. Beyond oncology, only 1% of healthcare innovation and research is dedicated to disorders affecting women. Furthermore, according to the State of Menopause Study, only 75% of menopausal-symptomatic women take any medication, and 20% have not seen a doctor in more than a year.

However, patent expiration of major drugs used to treat disorders commonly occurring in women, in the U.S. and other developed economies, is expected to negatively impact the U.S. women’s health market during the forecast period. When a patent for drugs used for women’s health expires, it allows generic versions of the medication to enter the market, leading to increased competition. This competition can result in lower prices for consumers, which may reduce the revenue and market share of the original pharmaceutical companies.

Drug Insights

The Prolia segment held the largest market share of 16% in 2022 and is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Prolia is a medication used in the field of women's health for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The generic name for Prolia is denosumab. Prolia is a monoclonal antibody that works by inhibiting a protein called RANK ligand, which plays a key role in the process of bone resorption. By blocking the RANK ligand, Prolia helps reduce bone loss, increase bone density, and decrease the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. It is typically administered as an injection every six months by a healthcare professional.

The Minastrin 24 Fe segment is expected to showcase a lucrative CAGR over the forecast period. Minastrin 24 Fe is a brand name for a combination birth control pill used in women's health. It contains two hormones, norethindrone acetate (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen), and is primarily prescribed as an oral contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. Minastrin 24 Fe works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), thickening the cervical mucus to inhibit sperm movement, and affecting the lining of the uterus to make it less receptive to implantation.

Application Insights

The contraceptive segment held the largest market share of 37% in 2022 due to rapid technological advancements in contraception and an increase in awareness about family planning. Favourable government regulations and increasing awareness about different contraceptive methods in the U.S. are likely to drive the adoption of contraceptives and contribute to the market’s growth. For instance, U.S. Federal law mandates that all female-controlled contraceptive methods are covered without out-of-pocket patient costs. Counselling and related services for female contraception are also mandatorily covered. Moreover, key players constantly focus on product launches to meet the rising demand for contraceptives. For instance, in July 2022, Perrigo Company plc announced that it had submitted an application for the first-ever OTC birth control pill to the U.S. FDA.

The endometriosis & uterine fibroids segment is expected to showcase the fastest CAGR over the projected period. The growth can be attributed to several factors, such as the high prevalence of uterine fibroids among women in the U.S., an increasing preference for less invasive procedures by patients, and the high adoption of advanced technologies. Uterine fibroids are characterized by symptoms such as extreme menstrual flow, infertility, pelvic pain, and frequent urination. They are benign tumour’s that develop in the smooth muscle cells of the uterus. Furthermore, the market is expected to grow due to the increasing preference for minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures for fibroid treatment.

Age Insights

The others segment including women aged less than 50 years held the largest market share of 60% in 2022 and is anticipated to grow the fastest during the forecast period. The growth of the segment is attributed to the rising prevalence of women’s health conditions in the age group. Women below 50 are mainly of reproductive age and women’s health concerns in this age group are more likely associated with fertility, such as endometriosis, hormonal infertility, and PCOS. According to World Bank, in 2020, globally, around 64.8% of women are aged between 15 and 49, which is around 1.9 billion out of 3.8 billion of the total women population.

The 50 years and above segment is expected to showcase a significant CAGR over the forecast period. Women aged 50 and above form the core demographic that undergoes menopause, and hence, demand & adoption of postmenopausal products are high in this segment. According to UN 2020 global estimates, 958 million women were aged 50 and above. By 2050, this demographic is expected to reach 1.65 billion. NAMS stated that every day an estimated 6,000 women in the U.S. reach menopause, which totals more than 2 million women undergoing menopause per year. An increase in life expectancy has led to a rise in the menopausal population worldwide. The post-menopause period is expected to account for one-third of women’s lives.

Distribution Channel Insights

The hospital pharmacy segment led the U.S. women’s health market with the largest revenue share of 48% in 2022. It is expected to maintain a dominant share throughout the forecast period. Hospital pharmacies give better access to women’s health products for both inpatient and outpatient. Some patients admitted to hospitals for complicated surgeries also need to take medications, including estrogenic, progesterone, and other hormone treatment combination therapies. Additionally, for some eye-related disorders, these are effective for outpatients. Hospital stay duration, overall healthcare expenses, level of treatment, and emergency care are all positively impacted by the presence of these facilities.

The online pharmacy segment is estimated to showcase the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to greater internet accessibility and more knowledge of over-the-counter medicines, online pharmacies are being rapidly adopted in the U.S. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic favourably impacted the market, driving it at an exponential pace due to constraints on migration. However, online pharmacies are seeing a fall in sales as the situation has generally de-escalated. E-prescriptions are another factor in this market's expansion, and as this trend gains traction, it may help the situation for online pharmacies.

U.S. Women’s Health Market Segmentations:

By Drug 

• ACTONEL
• YAZ,Yasmin,Yasminelle
• FORTEO
• Minastrin 24 Fe
• Mirena
• NuvaRing
• ORTHO TRI-CY LO
• Premarin
• Prolia
• Reclast/Aclasta
• XGEVA
• Zometa
• Others

By Application 

• Hormonal Infertility
• Contraceptives
• Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
• Endometriosis & Uterine Fibroids
• Menopause
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

By Age 

• 50 years and above
  • Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
  • Endometriosis & Uterine Fibroids
  • Menopause
  • Others
• Others

By Distribution Channel 

• Hospital Pharmacy
• Retail Pharmacy
• Online Pharmacy