Researchers at ETH Zurich have created a first-of-its-kind wearable device that gives women an easy way to do a health check. MenstruAI was designed to be a simple, noninvasive way to check a few common health markers in menstruating bodies by analyzing menstrual blood. The device is attached to a sanitary pad and checks three biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), which is an inflammation and infection indicator; EA, associated with gynecological cancers; and CA-125, which is associated with endometriosis.
The device contains a test strip with colored indicators for each biomarker. When the markers are detected in menstrual blood, the indicators will appear, and the intensity of the color corresponds to the concentration of the marker. Users can read the results themselves or upload a photo to a companion app for more details. It’s not meant to be used in place of existing diagnostic tests — rather, the researchers emphasize it can serve as an “early warning system” to help you determine if you should see a medical professional.
“To date, menstrual blood has been regarded as waste,” said Lucas Dosnon, the study’s lead author and a Ph.D. candidate at ETH Zurich. “We are showing that it is a valuable source of information. Courageous projects [like this one] are called for to break down existing patterns of behavior to ensure that women’s health finally takes the place it deserves.”
