The conversation around menstrual health has grown significantly in recent years, but many critical aspects remain misunderstood, underserved, or ignored altogether. Among these is the intersection of women’s reproductive and mental health, where conditions like Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) reside. These conditions, affecting millions globally, often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to insufficient awareness and the lack of an integrated approach to treatment.
Healcycle, a digital women’s health platform, aims to bridge this gap by offering personalized solutions, comprehensive education, and community support. Positioned as a game-changer in the health-tech space, Healcycle is not just addressing medical needs but empowering women to take control of their physical and emotional well-being.
Leading this firm is Ananya Grover, a recent Princeton University graduate who has been a menstrual health activist since her teenage years. Equipped with a degree in Computer Science with honors and certificates in Cognitive Science, Technology and Society, and Creative Writing, Ananya combines her technical acumen with a strong drive for social impact.
Her advocacy work, which began in her school days in India, laid the foundation for Healcycle Wellness. Today, Ananya leads her startup with a clear mission to dismantle stigma, advance menstrual equity, and provide meaningful solutions for women grappling with complex conditions like PMDD.
An Entrepreneur’s Leap of Faith
Launching a startup straight out of university is no small feat, but for Ananya, it was a natural progression. Her journey began as a high school student in India, advocating for menstrual health awareness and fighting taboos surrounding periods. She had launched Pravahkriti, an initiative to tackle menstrual stigma in schools and society. Ananya’s impactful TED talk titled ‘A Campaign for Period Positivity’ delivered in New York City, reached 1.8 million viewers worldwide in 22 languages.
Over the years, her passion evolved into a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges women face. At university, Ananya explored diverse academic avenues, including cognitive science, neuroscience, design, and entrepreneurship. These studies broadened her perspective and sharpened her problem-solving skills. "I’ve always been drawn to identifying real-world problems and finding innovative solutions", she states. Her entrepreneurial mindset led her to participate in pitch competitions and delve further into public health advocacy.
Ananya’s role as a Public Health Advisor for the NGO The Pad Project's global ambassador program gave her profound insights into the challenges women face globally. Through conversations with doctors and experts, she recognized the alarming gaps in awareness and treatment for conditions like PMDD. "Hearing stories of women struggling with depression, anxiety, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts, was deeply troubling. It made me realize the urgency of addressing these issues", she explains.
Leveraging her technical expertise and passion for change, Ananya was ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship. For her, Healcycle represents the convergence of years of advocacy, academic exploration, and the drive to create meaningful change in women’s lives. She adds, “Entrepreneurship is a hands-on journey, no academic course can prepare you for the realities of building a startup, but every challenge teaches you something invaluable”.
The Vision behind Healcycle
Healcycle was born out of Ananya’s urge to address the inequities in women’s health. Despite the growing awareness of menstrual health, concepts like body literacy and period literacy remain elusive to many. These are essential starting points for understanding any reproductive health condition, especially those at the intersection of mental and physical health. “Conditions like PMDD, which affects 3-8 percent of menstruating women, are as common as diabetes yet take an average of 10–12 years to diagnose”, states Ananya. She also adds that this delay often exacerbates symptoms, leading to severe emotional and psychological distress.
Ananya realized that existing tools and apps in the market failed to cater to these nuanced needs. Through Healcycle she aims to fill this void with its integrated approach, offering tools for symptom tracking, personalized insights and tips, emotional support, and a community that understands and validates women’s experiences. The app bridges the divide between gynecology and psychiatry, addressing the root causes of these disorders holistically rather than treating them in isolation.
It wasn’t one moment but a series of experiences, from working as a menstrual health activist to seeing the gaps in PMDD awareness and treatment, that led me to start Healcycle
Innovative Solutions with a Focus on Data Privacy
Ananya has cultivated a flat organizational structure where every team member, irrespective of their domain, feels encouraged to contribute ideas and solutions. This collaborative culture fosters innovation and ensures that diverse perspectives shape the platform’s development. “From UX designers to software engineers, everyone plays an integral role in creating a product that resonates with its users”, quotes Ananya.
In addition to fostering innovation, Healcycle places a high priority on ethical data management. The platform will adhere to international standards like HIPAA and GDPR, ensuring that user data is encrypted, securely stored, and used only with explicit consent. This commitment not only safeguards users’ trust but also aligns with Healcycle's larger goal of building a supportive and transparent community.
A Roadmap for Impact
Currently in its beta phase, Healcycle is poised for a wider public launch in early 2025. The initial focus remains on creating educational resources through social media, webinars, and freely accessible content on its website. This commitment to spreading awareness aligns with the company’s freemium model, ensuring that core features like tracking and educational materials remain free, while advanced AI-driven functionalities and telehealth services form part of the premium tier.
The app’s design emphasizes user-centric innovation. By integrating AI and machine learning, Healcycle aims to provide tailored recommendations, symptom analysis, and actionable insights. Users will also have access to telehealth consultations, bridging the gap between technology and professional medical support. With these features, Healcycle not only empowers users but also differentiates itself from competitors in the women’s health market.
A Message to Readers from the Founder
Healcycle represents more than an app, it’s a movement to address the overlooked intersection of reproductive and mental health. “Our goal is to empower women through knowledge, community, and actionable tools”, says Ananya. “Whether you’re seeking insight into your symptoms, emotional support, or a quicker path to diagnosis, Healcycle is here for you”, she adds.
Ananya Grover, Founder
Ananya Grover is the founder of Healcycle, a platform addressing premenstrual mood disorders. A recent graduate of Princeton University with a degree in Computer Science, she combines her technical expertise with her passion for women's health advocacy. As the driving force behind Healcycle, Ananya aims to transform care for conditions like PMS and PMDD by providing innovative tools for symptom tracking, quicker diagnosis, and personalized support.
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