4 pioneering femtech products: Cycle-tracking tech for fertility prediction and birth control

From smart thermometers to intravaginal sensors and breath-based monitors, cutting-edge devices are not only making cycle monitoring easier but giving women more freedom from hormone-led fertility management.

Tracking menstrual cycles was once an analogue task. Then, there were apps which relied on manual data entry to predict ovulation. Now there are smart devices that can offer real-time biometric tracking, predicting fertility windows and aiding in natural birth control. 

This shift towards technology-driven solutions is setting a new standard in femtech, offering superior accuracy, comfort, and personalisation that can make the process of fertility management less onerous and medicalised.

Here are 4 pioneering devices that have hit the market:

1. Mira Fertility Tracker

The Mira Fertility Tracker is an advanced hormone monitoring system that measures concentrations of fertility hormones in urine.

The Mira system includes a reusable analyser device and disposable test wands. It offers clinical-grade hormone data without blood tests.

Key features:

• Tracks luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E3G), and progesterone (PdG) levels
• 99% accuracy in detecting hormone concentrations
• Provides numeric hormone values, not just binary results
• AI-powered predictions personalized to your unique cycle
• Suitable for women with irregular cycles or PCOS
• Results in 16-21 minutes
• Syncs data automatically to a smartphone app

Image source: Mira

2. OvuSense OvuCore

OvuSense is an intravaginal sensor that measures core body temperature for accurate ovulation prediction.

Key features:

• Predicts ovulation up to 24 hours in advance
• Confirms ovulation with 99% accuracy
• Suitable for women with PCOS or irregular cycles
• Worn overnight
• Data syncs to a smartphone app
• Medically certified in multiple countries

OvuSense is particularly useful for women who have found other methods unreliable due to hormonal imbalances or irregular cycles.

Image source: OvuSense

3. Kegg Fertility Tracker

The kegg is also an intravaginal device, but it is designed to measure electrolyte levels in cervical fluid to predict fertility.

Key features:

• Connects to an app for data analysis
• Also functions as a Kegel exercise ball
• Predicts fertility window 5-7 days in advance
• Takes readings in just 2 minutes per day
• Rechargeable battery lasts up to 7 days

The kegg offers a unique approach to fertility tracking by focusing on changes in cervical fluid composition.

Image source: Kegg

4. Ava Fertility Tracker

Ava is a wearable bracelet that tracks multiple physiological parameters to predict fertility.

Key features:

• Measures skin temperature, resting pulse rate, breathing rate, and more
• Worn only during sleep
• Identifies a 5-day fertile window
• Syncs data to a smartphone app
• Can also track pregnancy
• FDA-cleared as a medical device

Unlike urine tests, Ava doesn't require any daily testing. It's designed to be comfortable and convenient for long-term use.

Image source: Ava Women

Refining predictive technology - the next frontier

The next challenge for medtech entrepreneurs is supporting ultra-reliable birth control practice through biometric tracking. 

Historically,  non-hormonal birth control solutions have proved less reliable than hormonal solutions.  

Image source: Natural Cycles

High profile cases such as The Natural Cycles app (investigated in 2018 by the advertising standards authority) about the reliability of their ‘non-fertile’ window predictions, have undermined faith in some natural birth control tech.  

As these companies explore their devices' potential for reliable birth control -  collaboration with MOEMS (Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems) developers and manufacturers will likely become even more critical.

Many are using trusted development partners like ESCATEC to iterate and value engineer their offerings more rapidly.

These partnerships will be essential to further accelerate sensor miniaturisation, improve optical components, microfluidics, and ensure more gains in energy efficiency and durability; enabling a transition from fertility tracking to more effective contraceptive solutions.  

In a competitive market place, their access to specialist labour and global facilities will prove vital for iterating ISO and FDA compliant devices, and accessing new markets around the world.

For more information on 4 pioneering femtech products: Cycle-tracking tech for fertility prediction and birth control talk to ESCATEC Mechatronics Ltd