For a long time, menstrual blood has been relegated to the status of mere biological waste, often overlooked by medicine and research. However, a team of researchers from ETH Zurich has unveiled an innovative device called MenstruAI. This tool, integrated into sanitary pads, can convert menstrual blood into a precious source of medical information, accessible with just a click on a smartphone.
Rethinking a Neglected Fluid
Lucas Dosnon, the lead author of the study published recently in Advanced Science, highlights a glaring observation: “There has been a systemic lack of interest in women’s health, and menstrual blood has been wrongly considered waste.” Yet, behind this apparent banality lies a treasure trove of information. Menstrual blood contains hundreds of proteins, some of which are key biomarkers employed in medicine to detect inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.
Among these biomarkers are, for example, C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of inflammation, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), frequently associated with cancers, and CA-125, known as a marker linked to ovarian cancer and endometriosis. By leveraging these chemical signatures, MenstruAI opens a new window on women’s health, previously underexplored.
MenstruAI: A Sensor Integrated into Sanitary Pads
At the heart of this innovative technology is a non-electronic sensor discreetly integrated into a sanitary pad. Inspired by the functionality of rapid tests used for COVID-19 screening, this sensor uses a reactive paper strip. When placed in contact with menstrual blood, it changes color according to the concentration of targeted proteins.
The system is remarkably simple: after wearing the pad, the user merely takes a photo of the sensor with a smartphone. The MenstruAI application, driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning, analyzes the color nuances, even the most subtle ones, to provide a clear visual diagnosis. This advancement allows for quick detection of any concerning signs and alerts the user to consult a healthcare professional.
A Solution Designed for Women Worldwide
Inge Herrmann, a professor at the University of Zurich and a team member, emphasizes the universal mission of the project: “From the outset, we wanted to develop an affordable and accessible solution, usable even in areas where medical care is limited.” MenstruAI could thus enable large-scale screening, reducing inequalities in access to women’s health.
More than just a screening tool, this device also paves the way for longitudinal monitoring, allowing each woman to better understand the natural variations in her body over menstrual cycles. It could even offer insights for detecting abnormal trends over time, thereby enhancing prevention.
Technical Challenges and Social Acceptance
The team has worked not only on the technology itself but also on its social acceptance. To break taboos surrounding menstrual blood and make the product user-friendly, researchers are collaborating with designers from the Zurich University of Arts. “It is essential to design MenstruAI in a way that is not only technically effective but also socially acceptable,” Herrmann explains.
The success of this innovation also hinges on how it will be received by users. Overcoming psychological barriers tied to menstruation taboos is a major challenge but also an opportunity for change. “Women’s health deserves the attention it has not always received,” asserts Dosnon.
Towards a New Era of Women’s Health
MenstruAI has yet to pass all its validation stages. After an encouraging feasibility study, a larger testing phase involving over 100 participants is planned. This phase aims to evaluate biomarker variability throughout the menstrual cycle and between individuals, refining the clinical accuracy of the device.
If the results are confirmed, this technology could revolutionize female medical monitoring by making accessible and non-invasive a tool that has so far been reserved for laboratory blood tests.
When Technology Finally Empowers the Female Body
The MenstruAI revolution illustrates a broader trend: reintegrating women’s health at the core of medical and scientific priorities. By utilizing a previously neglected source, this innovation highlights the richness of the female body and the necessity of developing tools tailored to its specifics.
“We cannot ignore half of humanity when discussing health,” reminds Herrmann. MenstruAI embodies this ambition: to combine technology, accessibility, and equality for a more just medicine.