Breaking the Gender Gap in Healthcare: The Bold Innovations Shaping Women’s Futures

What if a tampon could diagnose infections—not just absorb them? In this fiery episode of HIT Like A Girl, guest host Demi Radeva sits down with Valentina Milanova, founder and CEO of Daye, live from HLTH Europe. Valentina’s mission? To smash the gender care gap with biotech breakthroughs—starting with diagnostic tampons that could rewrite women’s healthcare.

From CBD-infused tampons to cutting-edge diagnostics, Valentina shares her relentless pursuit of innovation—and why Europe could become the epicenter of the women’s health revolution. But progress isn’t just about technology. It’s about listening to women, challenging outdated systems, and proving that investing in femtech isn’t charity—it’s economic genius.

🔥 Why You Should Listen:

• The shocking gap in women’s health R&D—and how Daye’s diagnostic tampons could change the game.

• From CBD to biotech: Valentina’s pivot from period pain relief to precision diagnostics—and what customer feedback taught her.

• "HLTH Europe was a wake-up call": Why Europe is primed to lead the women’s health revolution (and what’s holding it back).

• The trillion-dollar case for women’s health: How closing the gender care gap could boost economies—and humanity.

Valentina doesn’t just diagnose problems—she builds solutions. Tune in to learn how her work could help women and AFAB individuals reclaim their health—and their potential.

📌 Episode Timeline:

00:00 | Welcome to a Healthcare Game-Changer

00:44 | Valentina’s Journey: From Frustration to Founder

02:02 | The Tampon of the Future? Inside Day’s Biotech Leap

03:52 | How Women’s Feedback Shapes Real Innovation

05:01 | Health Europe’s Biggest Lessons (And Missed Opportunities)

06:59 | The Fight for Funding—And Why Femtech Isn’t a “Niche”

08:33 | The Future: Where Daye—And Women’s Health—Go Next

💡 Listen now—and discover how one company is turning tampons into tech—and inequality into action.

Stay Connected:

👉 Follow Valentina Milanova on LinkedIn

👉 Learn more about Daye

🎧 This episode was recorded live at #HLTHEurope2025—the world’s most important event on health innovation.