From Vibrators to Vital Signs: How Tariffs Will Impact Femtech

Are vibrators about to get more expensive? Unfortunately, yes. And so is almost everything else in femtech. And if you’re someone who thinks sexual wellness isn’t a necessity (you can probably stop reading here), consider this: breast pumps, baby monitors, period products, and fertility trackers are also likely to see price hikes.

I originally sat down to write about some exciting sex tech projects we’ve been working on (and test out that new Tinder AI bot), but then president Trump declared it “Liberation Day.” I knew there would be a ripple effect on femtech.

So what’s actually happening?

There’s a sweeping new round of tariffs that will drive up import costs, destabilize supply chains, and hit small businesses hard. It’s not entirely clear what we’re “retaliating against,” but the outcome is the same: we’re taxing our global neighbors, raising prices, and introducing chaos into already fragile markets.

For femtech, a sector that’s already underfunded and under prioritized, this is particularly bad news.

These tariffs aren’t just targeting luxury goods. Essentials are on the chopping block, too. Many companies had already started shifting manufacturing to India and Vietnam in anticipation of earlier tariffs on Chinese goods. But now, India faces a 26% tariff on exports to the U.S., and Vietnam has been hit with a whopping 46% (though they’re currently trying to negotiate that down).

For femtech founders, this is exactly the kind of plot twist we didn’t need. Just as the industry was gaining momentum, we’re hit with supply chain disruptions, rising production costs, and a shaky funding environment.

How Tariffs Will Hit Femtech

Many femtech companies rely on components made in China, wearable sensors, medical-grade plastics, and silicone used in menstrual cups and vibrators, to name a few. With a 34% tariff on Chinese imports and 32% on Taiwanese goods (where many chips and sensors are made), manufacturing costs are about to skyrocket.

1. Rising Production Costs

Health trackers, fertility monitors, even pelvic floor trainers, often rely on imported tech components and medical-grade materials. With new tariffs in place, the cost of producing a femtech product just went up.

2. Supply Chain Disruptions

It’s not just about money. China is hitting back by limiting exports of rare earth minerals (key for electronics) and restricting some U.S. business operations. This throws a wrench in production, especially for early-stage companies already juggling slim margins and tight timelines.

3. Medical Devices

Tariffs are also being slapped on medical devices, with increases up to 50% on items like syringes, face masks, and surgical gloves. Femtech sits at the intersection of consumer wellness and medical-grade tech, so even if some products aren’t explicitly targeted, they may still be caught in the crossfire.

4. Higher Consumer Prices

When manufacturing gets more expensive, companies have two options: absorb the costs (bad for business) or pass them on to consumers (bad for accessibility). Either way, it’s not ideal. We’re likely to see higher prices across the board in the femtech industry.

5. A Blow to Startups, Innovation, and Funding

Most femtech startups aren’t sitting on massive reserves. Increased costs mean slashing R&D budgets, delaying clinical trials, and scaling back innovation, which is devastating for an industry still fighting to be taken seriously in mainstream healthcare.

And as investors grow more risk-averse amid economic instability, raising capital will get even harder.

6. Stock Prices

Big tech stocks are down, and femtech stocks aren’t immune. From what I can see HIMS is down 8.86% today (04/04/25) and Progyny is down 3.37%.

So… What Now?

This isn’t just a femtech problem, it’s a global economic mess. The stated goal is to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., but that’s easier said than done. For most companies, domestic production is still far more expensive, even with tariffs in place.

And since nobody knows how long this will last, most businesses are hesitant to invest in moving operations stateside.

Worse, this could spark international retaliation. The U.S. economy is heavily reliant on exported services, including finance, travel, and healthcare innovation. The EU is already pushing back against U.S. big tech with antitrust and data privacy crackdowns. If a full-blown trade war escalates, American tech, and femtech, could be in the line of fire.

This also puts global partnerships under stress. We work closely with femtech leaders in London, and this situation puts the UK in a tough position. Should they drop their digital services tax to appease the U.S., or risk alienating their EU allies? It’s a lose-lose.

Any Bright Spots?

Pharmaceuticals are currently exempt, so prescription-based femtech like Phexxi should theoretically be unaffected.

And some companies, like Bellesa Boutique, have already announced their prices won’t be going up.

I’ll be keeping an eye on price changes and will include updates in our Q2 reports - so stay tuned!

The Bottom Line

For femtech startups, this is kind of a nightmare: higher costs, fewer funding opportunities, unstable supply chains, and growing international tension.

Will this force the industry toward domestic manufacturing? Unlikely. Will it slow innovation, raise prices, and limit consumer access? Very likely.

Trump won’t be in office forever, but the ripple effects of these trade policies could stick around long after he’s gone. And for a field that’s already had to prove (over and over) that women’s health is worth investing in, this is a major setback.

But we’re not giving up! We’ll keep fighting, supporting, and promoting femtech founders every step of the way because women’s health and sexual wellness should never be an afterthought.