Researchers from ETH Zurich, Empa, the University of Zurich, and Balgrist University Hospital have developed a new technology that can detect health biomarkers in menstrual blood directly from sanitary pads. Dubbed MenstruAI, the system offers a simple, non-invasive way to collect and analyze health data as part of daily life.
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MenstruAI uses a color-based sensor built into a sanitary pad. After use, the pad can be photographed with a smartphone, and the image is analyzed by a companion app. The app provides immediate feedback on health-related biomarkers, enabling users to regularly monitor their well-being with minimal effort.
Menstrual Blood as a Source of Information
Despite over 1.8 billion people around the world experiencing menstruation, menstrual blood remains largely overlooked in medical diagnostics.
This reflects a systemic lack of interest in women’s health.
Lucas Dosnon, Study First Author and Doctoral Student, ETH Zürich
Dosnon added, “To date, menstrual blood has been regarded as waste. We are showing that it is a valuable source of information.”
Menstrual blood contains hundreds of proteins, many of which mirror concentrations found in venous blood. Certain conditions, like ovarian cancer or endometriosis, lead to elevated levels of specific proteins, which can serve as biomarkers for early detection.
The MenstruAI prototype currently measures three such biomarkers:
- C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of inflammation.
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a tumor marker found in various cancers.
- CA-125, associated with both endometriosis and ovarian cancer.
The team is actively exploring additional biomarkers to broaden the scope of health insights the system can offer.
The Same Functionality as a Covid Test
The technology behind MenstruAI is based on a paper strip test, similar to at-home COVID-19 tests—but instead of saliva, it analyzes menstrual blood. When a biomarker reacts with a specific antibody on the strip, it produces a color change. The stronger the color, the higher the concentration of that protein.
The test strip is housed in a small, flexible silicone chamber that integrates seamlessly with standard sanitary pads. This design ensures only a controlled amount of blood reaches the sensor, reducing the risk of smearing or inaccurate readings.
Users can interpret results by eye or use the app, which employs machine learning to analyze subtle color differences and provide a quantifiable readout.
“The app also recognizes subtle differences, such as the amount of proteins present, and makes the result objectively measurable,” explained Dosnon.
Does it Actually Work in Everyday Life?
After an initial feasibility study with volunteers, the team is now preparing a larger field study involving over 100 participants. The goal is to evaluate how well MenstruAI performs in everyday conditions and how its results compare with traditional lab tests.
Another important area of focus is the natural variation in menstrual blood—its composition changes throughout the cycle and between individuals. Capturing this variability is essential for clinical validation. Regulatory steps, such as ensuring biocompatibility of the materials used, are also underway, though the current components are considered safe.
The research team is collaborating with design experts from Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) to enhance usability and minimize psychological barriers.
It’s also about designing the technology in such a way that makes it technically and socially acceptable.
Inge Herrmann, Professor, University of Zurich
Hermann is also a professor at Balgrist University Hospital, a researcher at Empa, and accredited at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich.
Inexpensive, But No Substitute for Medical Advice
The technology integrated within the pad works without laboratory equipment.
“Right from the outset, the aim was to develop a solution that can also be used in regions with poor healthcare provision and would be as cost-effective as possible, potentially enabling population-based screening,” stated Herrmann.
As a result, MenstruAI can act as an early warning system, alerting users to potential health concerns so they can seek medical advice if needed. It’s not meant to replace conventional diagnostics, but rather to help indicate when a doctor’s visit might be advisable. Over time, it also allows for ongoing health monitoring, making it easier to track changes and understand patterns.
For Herrmann and Dosnon, MenstruAI represents more than just a technical innovation—it’s a step toward more inclusive healthcare.
“When we talk about healthcare, we can’t simply phase out half of humanity,” Herrmann underlined.
The team was struck by how much stigma still surrounds menstruation, even within academic and research environments. Some dismissed the concept as unpleasant or unrealistic.
But Dosnon remains firm: “Courageous projects are called for to break down existing patterns of behavior to ensure that women’s health finally takes the place it deserves.”
Journal Reference:
Dosnon, L. et al. (2025) A Wearable In-Pad Diagnostic for the Detection of Disease Biomarkers in Menstruation Blood. Advanced Science. doi.org/10.1002/advs.202505170