WoW Woman in FemTech I Christine Deschemin, founder of EverCalm Menopause and UpNow Health
Christine Deschemin is a leading figure in the health tech space, renowned for her expertise in harnessing technology to promote wellness and mental resilience.
She specializes in mindset and performance coaching, working closely with professional athletes, including jockeys, to enhance their mental clarity and overall performance. Christine's innovation extends to menopause management, where she developed the EverCalm Menopause app and organized the EverCalm Menopause Festival, creating a platform to support women through this life transition. Based in Hong Kong, she is passionate about mindfulness, digital health solutions, and advancing evidence-based holistic care. Her work has earned widespread recognition for its profound impact.
UpNow Health is a pioneering digital health company dedicated to empowering individuals through accessible and innovative wellness tools. At the heart of its offerings lies EverCalm, a comprehensive self-management program designed to support women navigating menopause. With features addressing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, and sleep issues, EverCalm integrates evidence-based tools to promote self-care and holistic wellbeing. The company also launched the EverCalm Menopause Festival, bringing together health professionals to raise awareness and foster community. UpNow Health is committed to advancing women’s health and redefining how digital technology can enhance the quality of life.
Tell us a bit about your background and your projects so far.
I am deeply committed to empowering women to lead healthier and happier lives through non-invasive, evidence-based strategies. My work focuses on creating accessible solutions that combine science with practical tools for managing menopause and overall wellbeing. At EverCalm, we promote behavioral techniques like self-hypnosis, which the Menopause Society highlights as an effective non-hormonal treatment. Our flagship initiatives include personalized coaching programs and workshops aimed at equipping women with the strategies they need to take charge of their health. My goal has always been to offer real, impactful options for women navigating life transitions with confidence and clarity.
How did you get into this industry? Has it been an easy industry to get into or have you had many challenges?
My approach to this field was driven by the gap I noticed in women’s health support, especially during menopause. While solutions exist, many women are simply unaware of their options—particularly non-invasive therapies like behavioral strategies. This lack of awareness has been one of the biggest challenges. Breaking through misinformation and stigma has required resilience, persistence, and constant education efforts. While entering this space wasn’t simple, I’ve found incredible motivation in connecting with and supporting women who are eager for practical, science-backed tools to improve their lives. That connection has made the challenges worthwhile.
How long did it take you to be where you are now? What was the biggest obstacle? What are the challenges of being in the industry you are in?
Building EverCalm Menopause and creating a meaningful impact has been a multi-year effort. The biggest obstacle has been the widespread lack of awareness about the wide range of non-hormonal treatments available, including behavioral strategies endorsed by health authorities like the Menopause Society. Many women still don’t know about beneficial approaches like self-hypnosis or other mind-body therapies that can effect lasting positive change. Another considerable challenge lies in changing societal attitudes to ensure that menopause and related topics are given the attention and respect they deserve. Despite these challenges, the momentum around women’s health advocacy is growing, the business case is clearer and I’m excited to be part of that progress.
What are your biggest achievements to date?
One of my most significant achievements has been offering practical options to a large and diverse group of women, many of whom had little knowledge of mind-body therapies before. Growing awareness around non-invasive strategies like self-hypnosis and their ability to make positive changes has been incredibly rewarding. Another highlight was the Menopause Festival, which not only opened up crucial conversations around bone health and pelvic floor health but also brought together a community of experts and participants eager to redefine the menopause experience. Seeing women feel empowered through access to better information and solutions has been my proudest accomplishment.
What are the projects you are currently working on?
I’m currently focused on developing partnerships with corporations to bring menopause support into workplace wellbeing programs—a significant step towards normalizing this stage of life. We’re also working on new features that I can’t announce just yet. This project and others are guided by the same principle that drives all our work at EverCalm Menopause—creating accessible, evidence-based tools that promote healthier and happier lives. These initiatives are laying the foundation for a more holistic approach to women’s wellness that benefits both individuals and organizations alike.
Is the #WomenInTech movement important to you and if yes, why?
Absolutely, #WomenInTech holds a special significance for me. Women are uniquely equipped to design outstanding products for women’s health because they naturally bring empathy and understanding to these issues. It’s no coincidence that great solutions come from people who genuinely care about and comprehend the problem they’re solving. Women in technology are ideally positioned to deliver creative, evidence-based innovations that improve lives. The challenge, of course, remains securing the funding that women-led initiatives often struggle to find. Supporting more women in technology benefits the industry and society by ensuring that half of the population’ needs are represented and addressed effectively.
What will be the key trends in your industry in the next five years and where do you see them heading?
The next five years in women’s health will see a surge in personalized care through digital health platforms. Menopause, in particular, will gain more mainstream attention, with tailored health tech solutions emerging to address hormonal health, mental wellbeing, and postmenopausal conditions. Workplace wellness programs will also evolve, incorporating menopause support as part of broader diversity and inclusion efforts. Additionally, I foresee advancements in data collection on women-specific health issues, enabling more informed and effective interventions. Overall, the industry is heading toward a future that is more inclusive of women’s voices and focuses on holistic, evidence-based approaches to their health needs.
What is the most important piece of advice you could give to anyone who wants to start a career in this industry?
The most important advice I can give is to listen to the needs of the communities you wish to serve. This industry requires compassionate innovation, meaning the solutions you create should be genuinely impactful for the people they’re meant to help. Be prepared to challenge traditional systems and advocate for marginalized topics, like menopause, which may not initially get the attention they deserve. Finally, be persistent. Women’s health can feel like an uphill battle, but every small step contributes to meaningful change. Surround yourself with like-minded collaborators and stay committed to your vision even when faced with resistance.
Who are three inspirational women in your respective industry you admire?
I deeply admire Ida Tin, co-founder of Clue, who has revolutionized how women understand and track their menstrual health, paving the way for greater awareness and empowerment. Another inspiration is Afton Vechery, co-founder of Modern Fertility, whose work has made fertility insights more accessible, giving women the tools to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Finally, Kate Ryder, founder of Maven Clinic, inspires me with her dedication to transforming women’s healthcare through innovative virtual care solutions that address critical needs across fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. These women embody the visionary leadership essential for driving meaningful change in femtech and women’s health.
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