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Menstrual Pads With Hormone Testing Gain Ground in Health Tech

lite News Desk 2 min read

At a glance

  • Researchers developed pads that collect menstrual blood for lab analysis
  • Vivoo introduced the FlowPad for at-home FSH hormone detection
  • Hormone levels from pad samples closely matched venous blood results

Recent advancements in menstrual health technology have focused on using modified pads to collect blood for laboratory analysis of reproductive hormones and biomarkers. These developments aim to provide new options for monitoring fertility and broader health indicators through non-invasive methods.

Research teams have created menstrual pads with dried blood-spot strips, such as the Q-Pad, enabling users to collect menstrual blood samples that can be analyzed in laboratories. These samples allow measurement of reproductive hormones and other health markers using established laboratory techniques.

At CES 2026, health technology company Vivoo announced the FlowPad, which incorporates microfluidic channels and a biomarker reaction layer to detect follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. The FlowPad displays results either through a color-changing window on the pad or via a connected smartphone application, and is designed for use on the second or third day of the menstrual cycle by individuals aged 30 to 45.

Vivoo stated that the FlowPad uses a capillary capture layer to absorb and filter menstrual blood, followed by a reaction layer containing stabilized reagents for FSH detection. The company estimated a price of $4 to $5 per pad and indicated that initial distribution will target researchers, clinicians, and existing customers, with plans for broader availability and subscription models.

What the numbers show

  • 152 menstruating individuals participated in a study comparing pad and venous blood samples
  • Hormone measurements from pad samples showed correlation coefficients of at least 0.91 with venous blood
  • The FlowPad was introduced at CES 2026 and is intended for users aged 30 to 45

Scientific studies have demonstrated that hormone levels measured from menstrual-pad dried blood-spot samples, including anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), closely match those obtained from traditional venous blood draws. Correlation coefficients of 0.91 or higher were observed in a study involving 152 participants aged 19 to 50.

Editorials have noted that menstrual blood collected with devices like the Q-Pad can be used to measure both whole-blood markers, such as HbA1c, and serum-based reproductive hormones using standard laboratory procedures. This approach supports the potential for menstrual blood to serve as a surrogate for venous blood in certain health assessments.

High FSH levels detected by the FlowPad may indicate reduced ovarian reserve, fertility challenges, or conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The concept of using menstrual blood collected via modified pads for hormone testing has been present in research since at least 1989, but only recently have these technologies begun to see broader development and application.

Menstrual blood collected through these specialized pads has also shown potential for monitoring additional health markers beyond reproductive hormones. The ability to measure indicators like HbA1c suggests possible wider uses for menstrual blood in health monitoring.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

Sources and further reading

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