UCalgary researchers conduct cutting-edge tests of hormone tracker’s technology

Imagine a simple device that could provide individuals who menstruate with detailed information about their hormones without ever leaving the house. 

While many menstrual cycle apps and tools are available on the market, only few have used the gold standard of ultrasound testing to validate hormone profiles. Researchers in the Faculty of Kinesiology are partnering with the makers of the Mira Hormone Monitor to validate its ability to provide individuals with a comprehensive hormone panel.  

“We are seeing promising results, and it has fantastic potential — Mira is a portable device that can be used on a daily basis to get precise information about ovulation and the menstrual cycle,” says lead researcher, Dr. Thomas Bouchard, MD, a visiting PhD student in the Faculty of Kinesiology at UCalgary, and part-time student with the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia. 

When using the Mira monitor, individuals test their first-morning urine by inserting a test stick into the monitor, which gives an immediate numerical reading of key hormone biomarkers.

“Current at-home tests indicate if hormones levels are either high or low without the numerical reading. And a blood test or ultrasound provides only one day of information. With daily testing, individuals would have more complete data about their hormones — for their own knowledge, and to share with their health-care provider if they choose to,” says Bouchard. 

By providing more reliable and accessible options to predict ovulation, individuals could have greater insights into their reproductive health for family planning, premenstrual syndrome and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal condition that affects ovaries and the menstrual cycle. 

Along with testing how Mira performs, Bouchard wants to ensure his testing methods are the best possible. 

“Any time you measure something in the menstrual cycle, it’s important to measure it against the gold standard to validate it — and that currently is ovulation as seen with ultrasound. We hope to complete this validation method and, in the future, use it to measure other products in the market,” says Bouchard.  

Bouchard had to get approval from Health Canada to study and validate the device before the company can submit to have it approved for use in Canada. 

Bouchard’s co-supervisor, Dr. Patricia Doyle-Baker, Dr.PH, PhD, professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, sees great potential for researchers with this study.

“Hormone testing technology is an emerging field, with an outstanding capacity to advance health care. By validating this device and the method for testing it, researchers will have a more reliable method to investigate women’s health and individuals such as athletes who are interested in tracking their menstrual cycle,” says Doyle-Baker. 

Participate in the study 

For those interested in taking part in the study, researchers are currently seeking healthy females between the ages of 18 and 45 who have regular cycles and are not using a form of birth control. Participants who complete the study will have personalized insights into their hormone profile and will be able to keep the monitor. To see if you are eligible, please contact Grace Alger, research assistant, at grace.alger@ucalgary.ca.