How benefits leaders can deliver a 2.9x ROI with pelvic care for employers

Pelvic health is the benefits priority employers can’t ignore

Employer health strategies have evolved far beyond medical, dental, and vision. Benefits leaders are now addressing whole-person health, including mental well-being and musculoskeletal care. Increasingly, HR leaders are exploring how to build holistic women’s health programs to attract and retain top female talent.

Until recently, pelvic health was rarely part of the conversation. Millions of women managed symptoms silently, relying on pads, medications, or simply adapting their lifestyles to discomfort. The costs were hidden but substantial: missed workdays, higher medical claims, and reduced productivity.¹ Now, data and demand are driving change. Employers are recognizing that pelvic health is not just a personal issue but a workplace concern with measurable business implications.

Pelvic health issues impact a huge proportion of the workforce

Pelvic floor disorders affect one in three women in the United States,² and nearly half of postmenopausal women.³ Symptoms range from leakage and chronic pain to bowel dysfunction and prolapse. These conditions affect not only personal health but also women’s ability to perform and progress at work.

Women with pelvic health conditions are three times more likely to experience anxiety or depression,⁴ and chronic pelvic pain can reduce workplace performance by more than 60 percent.⁵ The effects appear in absenteeism, presenteeism, and turnover. Unmanaged pelvic health issues are silently driving costs and productivity losses across the workforce.

Pelvic health benefits drive productivity and retention

Pelvic floor disorders have a massive impact on a large proportion of any organization's female team members. The symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction prevent these employees for delivering their best work. Women experiencing leakage, chronic pain, or urgency often have their focus disrupted multiple times a day. Pelvic floor disorders can quietly undermine women’s ability to focus, lead, and advance in their careers. Chronic pain or urgency can cause multiple daily interruptions, fatigue, and stress to erode productivity.⁵

Recent studies confirm that untreated pelvic floor symptoms significantly impair work performance and contribute to measurable productivity losses. In one large study of midlife working women, urinary incontinence severity strongly predicted lower workplace productivity.¹² Another found that limited restroom access and work conditions were directly linked to higher rates of pelvic floor symptoms and health-related productivity losses.¹³

When pelvic health needs go unmet, the impact extends beyond individual discomfort to organizational performance and retention risk.⁶ Offering pelvic health benefits changes that story. Digital programs like Bloom by Sword Health allow women to complete short, discreet therapy sessions at home, often after hours or on weekends.⁷ This flexibility lets employees stay engaged in their work without sacrificing care. As symptoms improve, women report not only greater comfort but also renewed confidence to lead, contribute, and grow.

For employers, the return is measurable. Organizations that offer pelvic health support see lower turnover, reduced surgical claims, and higher productivity from employees who are no longer sidelined by symptoms or stigma.⁵

A dedicated women's health benefits offering becomes a strategic investment in performance, equity, and organizational resilience. Apart from delivering improved health outcomes for women and preventing more expensive downstream medical interventions, organizations also see meaningful impact on productivity and absenteeism rates. Market research reflects this evolution. Over 70 percent of employers say they plan to expand women’s health benefits within the next two years,⁹ with digital-first programs topping the list for accessibility, equity, and scalability.

How can digital pelvic health benefits result in ROI for employers?

For many women, traditional pelvic care can be both difficult and intimidating to access. With one specialist per 10,000 women in the U.S.,¹⁰ and most clinics located in major cities, women can find it hard to schedule sessions during regular clinic hours, while juggling work and family responsibilities. Long travel times, limited appointment availability, and privacy concerns compound the problem.

Bloom's dedicated digital women's health plans break these barriers to access

By addressing the same access and privacy barriers identified in workforce studies,¹²⁻¹⁴ digital pelvic health programs help women maintain productivity and engagement while receiving care.

• The virtual delivery model means women can access care from home, at any time, without having to share their symptoms to a stranger in a face-to-face medical clinic.
• Sessions can be completed at home in minutes, on weekends, and outside working hours.¹¹
• Women receive evidence-based care with personalized recovery plans developed by a matched Women's Health Specialist (all without the need to miss work or travel).

For employers, the business case for offering Sword's Bloom program is strong. When women can access therapy consistently, recovery is faster, surgical interventions are reduced, and costs decline. Pelvic care investments directly improve retention and productivity while reducing total claims costs.

Employers can offer Bloom as a dedicated women's health benefit

Bloom was created to overcome the barriers that prevent women from accessing care. Each member receives their own Bloom Pod, an FDA-listed device that provides real-time biofeedback during guided exercises. The Sword app enables each member to follow a personalized plan created by a matched Women's Health Specialist (each holding a Doctorate in Physical Therapy).

Treatment can be completed privately, anytime, from home. Most sessions take less than 15 minutes, and nearly half occur outside standard business hours, while one in five take place on weekends.¹² This flexibility keeps employees engaged without disrupting work or family schedules.

Stronger adoption rates sees Bloom deliver stronger ROI

Traditional pelvic floor therapy is effective but often inaccessible. With limited specialists, long wait times, and logistical barriers, completion rates for in-person therapy are low, particularly among women balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.⁷ ¹⁰ Digital care removes these barriers by providing private, flexible, and clinically guided support at home. Employers are embracing digital women’s health programs for three main reasons:

• Access: Digital delivery reaches employees regardless of geography or schedule, increasing participation and completion.¹¹
• Equity: Digital programs reach underserved populations who often face the largest barriers to in-person care.¹⁰
• Accountability: Employers receive transparent data, clinical reporting, and validated ROI to demonstrate value.⁵

These benefits explain why adoption of digital pelvic care continues to rise. Employers can no longer afford to overlook a need this widespread when an evidence-based, scalable solution already exists.

Bloom delivers outcomes that benefit both individuals and organizations:

• Clinical impact: 61 percent of women with moderate-to-severe conditions achieve meaningful improvement.⁵
• Mental health benefits: 56 percent report reduced anxiety, and 50 percent report improvement in depression symptoms.⁵
• Financial savings: Employers find average savings of $2,327 per member per year, achieving a validated ROI of 2.9:1.⁵
• Equity outcomes: Nearly half of Bloom members come from moderate-to-high social deprivation areas, yet outcomes match those of peers.¹⁰

For benefits leaders, the conclusion is clear: pelvic care is a proven, high-impact investment that advances health, equity, and business performance. Employers who act now have the opportunity to lead, offering benefits that truly support women while improving outcomes and reducing costs. With Bloom, organizations can deliver clinical-grade pelvic care that fits every schedule, builds confidence, and delivers results.