Turning Menstrual Blood into Data Insights

The realm of health technology is expanding beyond wristbands and rings, venturing into more intimate areas like lavatorial devices and menstrual products.

Vivoo, specializing in home-based health assessments, showcased its innovative prototype, the FlowPad, at the CES event held in Las Vegas. Alongside this, the company introduced its new product, the Vivoo Smart Toilet, featuring an optical sensor that assesses user hydration.

Revolutionizing Hormone Monitoring

The FlowPad resembles a common sanitary pad but incorporates a sophisticated layer that channels menstrual fluid into specific testing areas. These zones evaluate hormones linked to fertility, ovarian condition, and perimenopausal changes. Users can access their results through the Vivoo companion app by scanning the FlowPad with their smartphone or inputting data manually.

Vivoo’s mission behind FlowPad and its smart toilet is based on the premise that bodily fluids like menstrual blood and urine offer valuable insights into inner health. Menstrual blood, in particular, is rich with hormonal markers that offer a perspective on the health of the endocrine system. This allows for the detection of hormone inequalities, certain cancers, and reproductive health issues.

"FlowPad exemplifies how routine physiological activities can be transformed into critical health information," shares Miray Tayfun, CEO of Vivoo, in an announcement. "This heralds a new era where hormone monitoring is easy, proactive, and user-focused."

Vivoo’s application advises users on the best days to conduct hormone assessments, given that hormone levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle. Ideally, FlowPad should be used daily during the early stages of menstruation. This product employs lateral flow diagnostics, comparable to tests for pregnancy and COVID-19.

Due to the FlowPad’s lack of Bluetooth capabilities, users must scan the test area with the Vivoo app to process their results, which include interpreting patterns, color changes, and reaction levels for detailed feedback.

Understanding the Importance of Analyzing Menstrual Blood

In conversation with ZDNET, CEO Tayfun outlined several scenarios where the FlowPad could be beneficial. For instance, the pH indication provides a comprehensive view of vaginal health, offering insights into the microbiome’s balance. It's particularly valuable for those focused on fertility, and for monitoring hormonal therapies during menopause.

Vivoo aims to price the pads similarly to typical off-the-shelf sanitary products, projecting each pad will retail between $4 and $5.

Meanwhile, Vivoo's innovative toilet sensor offers a new frontier for urinary analysis, which helps track hydration levels. Unlike other high-priced toilet technology, Vivoo plans to make its sensor more affordable, with an estimated cost of $99, circumventing any subscription model for continued use.