How Wearable Tech is Revolutionizing Estrogen Tracking
In recent years, wearable technology has been making waves in the healthcare industry. From fitness trackers to smartwatches, wearables have become increasingly popular among consumers looking to monitor their health and wellness. But now, a new type of wearable technology is emerging that could revolutionize the way women track their menstrual cycles and hormone levels: estrogen tracking devices.
Estrogen is a hormone produced by the ovaries that plays a key role in regulating a woman's menstrual cycle. Fluctuations in estrogen levels can cause changes in mood, energy level, and other physical symptoms such as bloating or cramping. For many women, tracking these fluctuations can be difficult and time-consuming.
However, with the advent of wearable tech designed specifically for estrogen tracking, this process has become much easier. These devices use sensors to measure levels of hormones like estradiol (a form of estrogen) in real-time and provide users with personalized insights into their hormonal patterns.
One example of an estrogen-tracking device currently on the market is Mira Fertility Tracker. This small handheld device measures both luteinizing hormone (LH) - which surges just before ovulation - as well as estradiol levels throughout the menstrual cycle using disposable wands inserted into urine samples taken at home.
Another option is Ava Bracelet which tracks multiple physiological parameters including skin temperature variation during sleep – indicating when there’s increased blood flow towards reproductive organs – resting pulse rate variability (the difference between heartbeats), breathing rate variability (how quickly you inhale/exhale), heart rate acceleration/deceleration while sleeping etc., all combined together help detect your fertile window more accurately than traditional methods like basal body temperature charting or cervical mucus monitoring alone.
These types of devices are not only convenient but also offer greater accuracy than traditional methods such as basal body temperature charting or cervical mucus monitoring alone [1]. By providing real-time information about hormonal patterns, users can better understand their menstrual cycles and fertility windows, which could be particularly useful for women trying to conceive.
In addition to aiding in family planning, estrogen tracking devices could also have broader applications in the field of women's health. For example, they may help doctors diagnose and treat conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis or even breast cancer [2].
As with any new technology, there are still some limitations to consider. Some devices require urine samples which can be inconvenient for some users while others like Ava Bracelet you just need to wear on your wrist at night time but it is more expensive than other options available in the market [3]. Additionally, not all wearable tech products are created equal – accuracy varies between different brands/models/versions so it’s important to do your research before making a purchase.
Future Advances
Despite these drawbacks, researchers and developers are continuing to explore ways that wearable technology can improve women's health outcomes. One area of focus is developing non-invasive methods for hormone monitoring that don't require urine samples or blood draws.
One promising approach is using sweat sensors capable of detecting hormones like estradiol through perspiration [4]. This would make hormone monitoring much less invasive and more convenient for users.
Another potential avenue is combining data from multiple physiological parameters - such as heart rate variability along with skin temperature variation during sleep - into algorithms that predict changes in estrogen levels over time [5][6]. These types of predictive models could provide even greater insights into hormonal patterns and potentially identify early warning signs of conditions like PCOS or endometriosis.
Conclusion
Overall, wearable technology designed specifically for estrogen tracking has the potential to revolutionize how women monitor their menstrual cycles and overall reproductive health. While there are still limitations associated with current devices on the market today – including cost considerations - ongoing research suggests exciting possibilities for the future of this technology.
References:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6419659/ [2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33240140/ [3] https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/best-fertility-trackers#the-bottom-line [4] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/advs.202001645 [5] https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00351.2017 [6]https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article-abstract/36/suppl_1/i54–i55/6121558
*Note: this site does not provide medical opinions or diagnosis and should not be relied upon instead of receiving medical attention from a licensed medical professional.