Designing Better Women’s Health Solutions for Southeast Asia | Blush and Bloom Podcast | Ep. 20
- Gigi
- Oct 17
- 4 min read
In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Sastya Wardani, the co-founder and CEO of Ovy Health — a women’s health ecosystem based in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
We talk about how cultural beliefs, healthcare laws, and societal expectations influence women’s health access across the region, and how Sastya’s journey from finance to femtech inspired her to build a company that helps women make informed, confident decisions about their bodies.
This conversation dives deep into awareness, accessibility, and empathy — three elements that continue to shape how women experience healthcare in different parts of the world.
💬 From Finance to Femtech
Before founding Ovy Health, Sastya worked in finance. A market research project on financial literacy among Indonesian women sparked an unexpected realization — that women’s health, decision-making, and financial independence are deeply connected.
“I talked to thousands of women, from lower-income to high-income groups,” Sastya shared. “Every woman I spoke to prioritized her family’s health above her own.”
That insight became the foundation of Ovy Health — a platform designed to help women understand their health at every stage of life, from pre-pregnancy to menopause.
🌍 Building a Health Ecosystem for Southeast Asia
Ovy Health isn’t just another wellness app. It’s a women’s health ecosystem built specifically for Southeast Asian women, combining technology, clinical partnerships, and community.
While the app includes familiar features like a period tracker, its core focus is actionable care — guiding women through what steps to take next based on their symptoms, goals, and local context.
“We can’t just copy and paste Western apps into Southeast Asia,” Sastya explains. “Cultural norms, diet, and even healthcare laws differ across Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.”
In Indonesia, for example, contraceptives are not legally available to unmarried women. That limitation affects everything — from fertility tracking to reproductive education — and underscores why localization matters in digital health.
Learn more about Ovy Health: https://ovyhealth.com
⚙️ How Ovy Health Combines AI and Human Care
While many health startups lean heavily on automation, Ovy Health takes a hybrid approach. Its AI-driven algorithms personalize recommendations, but each user still has access to a real human expert — a doctor, nurse, or counselor — for follow-up guidance.
“Healthcare can’t be fully tech or fully human,” says Sastya. “We combine both to make sure women get accurate, fast, and empathetic support.”
This blend of digital and human touchpoints ensures care that’s not only efficient but trustworthy — especially in cultures where reproductive health conversations are still sensitive.
💡 The Biggest Gaps in Women’s Health
When asked about the most pressing challenge in Southeast Asia, Sastya doesn’t hesitate — awareness.
Fertility and reproductive health remain taboo in many parts of the region, leading to silence and misinformation. Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, performs only about 20,000 IVF cycles per year, compared to 400,000 in the U.S. and 200,000 in India.
“It’s not just affordability,” she says. “It’s that most women don’t even know what options exist.”
Ovy Health aims to change that by building education and awareness into every part of its ecosystem — through digital tools, partnerships, and community discussions.
💬 Lessons in Culture and Communication
One of the biggest takeaways from Ovy Health’s work across Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and South Korea is that even similar markets can’t be treated the same.
Different cultural expectations, affordability levels, and family laws influence how women approach care.
“We had to change how we talk about reproductive health,” Sastya said. “Instead of leading with fertility or pregnancy, we start by asking what women want for their future — and build the conversation from there.”
This cultural empathy has been key to growing Ovy Health’s reach and relevance.
💞 Building Community and Breaking Taboos
Beyond technology, Sastya highlights the impact of community.
Through the app and its support network, women share experiences, find comfort, and realize they’re not alone in their struggles.
“Some women told us that using the app helped them finally get diagnosed faster,” she said. “Others said it was the first time they didn’t feel crazy for feeling what they did.”
That emotional validation — knowing you’re not alone — is often the first step toward healing.
🌱 A Dream for the Future
Sastya envisions a future where access to women’s health is as simple as checking blood pressure — available anywhere, supported by digital tools, and financially feasible.
Her message to women navigating their health journeys is simple but powerful:
“You are not alone, and you are not broken. Your health is not just about reproduction — it’s about living fully.”
💬 Key Takeaways
✨ Culture matters when designing women’s health products
✨ Awareness and education remain the biggest gaps
✨ Hybrid models of tech + human care create trust
✨ Community and empathy drive real impact
✨ Every woman deserves access to safe, informed healthcare
🔗 Resources
✨ Connect with Us
Guest: Sastya Wardani
Company: Ovy Health
Host: Gigi Kenneth
💭 Closing Note
If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend, colleague, or community. The more we talk about women’s health, the closer we get to better care for everyone.
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