New digital health platform Norma offers hope to women suffering from Genito-Pelvic Pain Disorders (GPPPDs)

A new digital health solution will help Irish women receive help for a previously taboo subject of intimate pain associated with Genito-Pelvic Pain Disorders, GPPPDs. Norma, an Irish company, tackles this widespread but often overlooked and underdiagnosed health issue. The figure for those suffering in silence is staggering. “It is estimated that 10–28% of reproductive-aged women in the general population complain of persistent pain during sexual intercourse”.

What are GPPPDs? These are conditions that cause chronic pain and discomfort during activities like intercourse, tampon use, and intimate medical exams and generally, there are no universally accepted treatment approaches.

As a GPPD sufferer, a female entrepreneur, and an Irish innovator, Norma’s founder, Gráinne Byrne suffered from this painful condition. Like most patient innovators she sought to find a solution as she set about her innovation journey to develop a technology for herself and others. Grainne’s response was to create a new Irish FemTech digital solution which is an expert-led intimacy education platform. The condition can be isolating so it is important to know that other people in the community are also suffering in silence.

Gráinne reassured those with GPPPDs that there is help out there:

“My personal experience with vaginismus, a form of genito-pelvic pain, was deeply isolating. I struggled with basic things like inserting a tampon, undergoing an intimate medical exam, or having penetrative intercourse. Each attempted insertion was painful and distressing. Over eight GP appointments, I was repeatedly dismissed or told my pain was ‘normal,'” said Byrne.

“As the years passed, my mental health and sexual well-being severely declined due to the lack of accessible care and proper guidance,” Byrne said, “I founded Norma with Clinical Psychologist & Psychosexual Therapist Dr. Natasha Langan to fill this gap. Our mission is to connect people with accredited psychosexual therapists to provide the expert support and resources they truly deserve, at every stage of life.”

The unique digital psychosexual health platform offers its expert-led intimacy education through online sexual wellbeing workshops. The overall mission is to increase access to accredited sex therapists. Norma’s key goals set out to address treatment for a range of GPPPDs, such as vaginismus and dyspareunia, by delivering evidence-based educational tools.

Norma’s online workshop programme combines insights from psychology, cognitive therapies, psychosexual therapy, breathwork, and pelvic floor physical therapy to support individuals in managing their conditions and improving sexual well-being.

This innovative digital education solution provides accessible support for those with the condition. The programme is a lifesaver for women who may not previously have come forward and sought treatment. It helps participants understand their condition, manage pain, and improve sexual health.

A recently completed pilot study conducted by Norma with Health Innovation Hub Ireland showed promising results. HIHI provided the clinical research and facilitated patient feedback necessary to complete this successful pilot. Participants felt that the digital health solution positively impacted their sexual well-being. Confidence was increased by having the access and the tools to manage the symptoms more effectively and consequently strong user satisfaction was reported.

Commenting on the successful completion of the product pilot, Dr. Michael Twomey, Senior Research Manager, Health Innovation Hub Ireland said, “Health Innovation Hub Ireland is delighted to have supported the Norma pilot. Driven by a user-innovator who has experienced genito-pelvic pain disorders, Norma embodies the true spirit of FemTech. This platform goes beyond being a digital solution—it’s a lifeline for women facing chronic, often overlooked conditions.”

“By combining personal experience with cutting-edge technology, Norma empowers women to improve their sexual health and quality of life. HIHI’s role in facilitating participant feedback and aligning the programme with healthcare needs helped validate Norma as a credible, research-backed initiative, showcasing the transformative power of FemTech in women’s healthcare,” said Dr. Twomey.