Women’s health start-up launches perimenopause hormone kit

The US women’s health start-up Oova has launched an at-home hormone kit to support women during perimenopause.

The kit, which tests multi-hormone biomarkers including oestrogen (E3G), comes with an app that tracks women’s data in real time.

Unlike other options on the market, which rely on blood or FSH-only urine tests that only capture a moment in time, Oova says its users are able to measure their hormone fluctuations across a 15-day period throughout a single cycle and their progress month-over-month. This, the company argues, could give women and their physicians insights into their perimenopause journey.

“There are significant gaps in hormone health research, especially as it relates to perimenopause,” says Amy Divaraniya, founder and CEO of Oova.

“We know doctors and patients alike are missing methods to pinpoint where someone is in their journey and identify how symptoms correspond to hormone changes, which often leaves women navigating this life phase in the dark. With the perimenopause hormone kit, women can better understand their bodies, while tracking data that empowers them to make informed decisions with their physicians.”

The Oova test strips are scanned into an app which utilises AI and machine learning to interpret the scan into results. Over time, the company claims its predictive algorithms begin to learn the nuances of every woman’s hormone profile to help her better manage her health.

Insights include measuring perimenopausal hormone activity, tracking physical symptoms, indicating fertility and confirming ovulation for those trying to conceive during perimenopause. It also helps users monitor their hormone patterns when starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

“Oova’s test serves as a significant leap forward in healthcare,” says Dr Beck Hoehn, founder of the California-based alternative healthcare practice Mighty River Wellness and advisor to Oova.

“In this stage of women’s health that has traditionally been passed over, Oova’s perimenopause kit equips both the patient and clinician with real-time, accurate insight needed to navigate the complexities with confidence and clarity.”

The launch comes weeks after Oova announced a US$10.3m funding round, led by funding from Spero Ventures, for a new subscription model.