A new AI-powered app measures period blood volume
In an innovative leap for menstrual health, the startup Joii has launched a groundbreaking app in the UK that utilizes artificial intelligence to measure period blood volume, aiming to enhance the diagnosis of conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and adenomyosis. With one in three menstruators experiencing heavy bleeding, as reported by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the need for accurate tracking and diagnosis has never been more pressing. Endometriosis, in particular, poses a significant challenge, often taking between four to eleven years for a proper diagnosis, with up to 60% of cases remaining undetected. The app’s founder, Justyna Strzeszynska, developed Joii following her own painful journey to a fibroids diagnosis, highlighting the personal motivation driving this innovative solution.
The Joii Period Evaluation app requires users to purchase Joii Evaluation Pads—available in both day and night variations—and download the app, compatible with both Apple and Android devices. The process is straightforward: users scan their used pad with their phone to analyze blood volume and detect any clots. The app not only assesses the amount of blood lost but also tracks other symptoms such as pelvic pain and fatigue, providing a comprehensive picture of menstrual health. Strzeszynska emphasizes the importance of this tool, stating, “We already count our steps, monitor our sleep, and track our heart rate. Measuring blood loss is simply the next step to better understanding our bodies and demanding the care we deserve.” In a five-month study involving 72 participants, a remarkable 88% reported that Joii improved their ability to communicate period volume to their doctors, while over half noted an increase in their health literacy regarding menstrual issues.
As Joii enters the market, it joins a growing array of period tracking apps, yet it sets itself apart by focusing on a critical aspect of menstrual health that has often been overlooked. By providing users with tangible data about their periods, Joii empowers menstruators to advocate for their health and seek necessary medical attention. This innovative approach not only enhances individual understanding but also aims to bridge the gap in communication between patients and healthcare providers, ultimately striving for better health outcomes for those affected by menstrual disorders.
Amidst a host of period tracking apps out there like Flo and Natural Cycles, menstrual health startup Joii is promising something new: measuring period blood volume with AI to diagnose conditions like endometriosis, and it launches today in the UK.
One in three menstruators experience
heavy bleeding
during their periods, according to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), and it can be a symptom of painful conditions endometriosis, fibroids, and adenomyosis. It can take four to 11 years to be
diagnosed with endometriosis
, and as many as 60 percent of cases remain undiagnosed. The founder of Joii, Justyna Strzeszynska, developed the app after her own painful journey to a fibroids diagnosis.
The aim of the Joii Period Evaluation app is to use AI to track one’s cycle and spot any potential issues to flag to your doctor.
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Women’s health app Flo launches perimenopause features
To do this, users will have to buy Joii Evaluation Pads — there are day and night variations — and download the app (available on Apple and Android devices). When you want to see how much you’ve bled and whether there are any clots, hold your phone over the pad and scan using the app. The app will check whether you’re using a day or night pad, and whether there are any clots to detect, according to a video on
Joii’s website
.
Credit: Joii
You can also use the app to track other symptoms, such as pelvic pain and fatigue.
“We already count our steps, monitor our sleep and track our heart rate,” Strzeszynska commented in a press release shared with Mashable. “Measuring blood loss is simply the next step to better understanding our bodies and demanding the care we deserve. We want every woman to have proof, not just pain.”
In a five-month-long study with 72 participants, 88 percent said Joii would improve how they communicate period volume with their doctor, and just over half (52 percent) said their period health literacy improved after using the app.