A new at-home diagnostic tool—integrated directly into a menstrual pad—could provide women with frequent, non-invasive monitoring of their fertility levels. The test uses menstrual blood to measure anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a key indicator of ovarian reserve (the quantity of eggs remaining). This approach bypasses the need for repeated clinical blood tests or lab visits, potentially revolutionizing how women track their reproductive health.
The Significance of AMH
AMH levels naturally decline with age, making them a valuable marker for fertility. High AMH indicates a plentiful egg supply, while low levels may signal diminished ovarian reserve or early menopause. Traditionally, assessing AMH requires a clinical blood draw or a finger-prick test, both of which necessitate laboratory processing before results are available.
How the New Test Works
The innovation developed by researchers at ETH Zurich employs a lateral flow assay—similar to a rapid COVID-19 test. The pad contains antibodies bound to gold nanoparticles, which react with AMH in menstrual blood, producing a visible line on the test strip. The darker the line, the higher the AMH concentration. A smartphone app, trained to analyze images of the test strip, can provide even more precise readings.
Continuous Monitoring with the Menstrual Pad
The research team has integrated the test directly into a menstrual pad, enabling passive and frequent monitoring of AMH levels during a woman’s period. This longitudinal data could reveal trends otherwise missed by single tests. The potential applications extend beyond tracking ovarian reserve; AMH levels can also indicate conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or, in rare cases, ovarian tumors.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While the test offers convenience and accessibility, some experts caution that interpreting results at home requires careful consideration. Clinical interpretation is a key challenge with any at-home medical test. Also, AMH tests cannot determine egg quality. Nevertheless, the developers emphasize that the test is not meant to replace clinical testing but rather provide a low-cost, non-invasive alternative.
“Menstrual blood is an underutilized resource that actually holds a lot of promises for health monitoring as a whole.” – Lucas Dosnon, ETH Zurich
This tool has the potential to transform women’s health by empowering them with frequent, accessible data on their fertility status. The ease of use and low cost may encourage more frequent monitoring, leading to earlier detection of potential issues and better-informed reproductive healthcare decisions.
