Menstrual pads can non-invasively collect information on a woman’s fertility
An innovative at-home test built into a menstrual pad could revolutionize how women track their fertility using their period blood. This groundbreaking technology offers a non-invasive way to monitor changes over time, eliminating the need for repeated blood tests or clinic visits.
For many women, understanding their fertility can be a mystery until they decide to conceive. When faced with difficulties, clinical tests can provide valuable insights. These tests often measure levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a common marker of “ovarian reserve” that gives a rough indication of the number of eggs remaining. As women age, AMH levels typically decline, with high levels indicating a plentiful egg supply and below-average levels signaling a diminished egg reserve or early menopause.
Traditionally, AMH levels are measured using a blood test in a clinic or via a finger-prick test at home, with samples needing to be sent to a lab for processing before results are obtained. However, Lucas Dosnon and his team at ETH Zurich in Switzerland have developed a user-friendly test that delivers immediate results using menstrual blood.
The test utilizes a lateral flow assay, similar to a COVID-19 test, with gold-coated particles covered in antibodies that specifically bind to AMH. When the test is dipped into menstrual blood, the interaction between the hormone and particles produces a visible line on the test strip, with the darkness of the line indicating the level of AMH present.
While results can be estimated visually, the researchers have trained a smartphone app to analyze a photograph of the test strip for a more precise reading. Testing menstrual blood samples with known concentrations of AMH showed results closely matching those from lab-based tests.
Moreover, the team has integrated the test into a menstrual pad, allowing for passive measurement of AMH levels during a period. This continuous monitoring could reveal trends in ovarian reserve over time, offering valuable insights that a single test may overlook.
Dosnon believes this innovation could be transformative for women’s health, enabling frequent screening of ovarian health for various purposes, including during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or for detecting fertility conditions beyond declining ovarian reserve. High AMH levels, for instance, are linked to polycystic ovary syndrome and, in rare cases, granulosa cell tumors affecting the ovaries. Dosnon emphasizes the untapped potential of menstrual blood as a resource for health monitoring.
Richard Anderson from the University of Edinburgh acknowledges the challenge of interpreting home medical test results, as well as the limitations of AMH tests in assessing egg quality. He questions whether women would opt for this test over established methods, considering the reliability of traditional blood tests.
In response, Dosnon clarifies that the test is not meant to replace clinical lab tests but rather to offer an alternative addressing challenges in women’s health monitoring and research. Its non-invasiveness, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness make it a promising tool for enhancing fertility management.
In conclusion, the integration of fertility tracking technology into menstrual pads represents a significant advancement in women’s health care. By leveraging the natural process of menstruation, this innovation empowers women to take control of their reproductive health in a convenient and accessible manner.
