A saliva-based fertility tracker has received regulatory app<\/a>roval for use as a contraceptive in Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n Developed by Berlin-based startup Inne, the at-home testing device \u2014 called the \u201cMinilab\u201d \u2014 tracks daily changes in progesterone levels, a hormone that plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle. It\u2019s billed as a non-invasive alternative to hormonal birth control methods like the pill \u2014 and early tests have shown promising results.<\/span><\/p>\n A year-long clinical study involving 300 women over 1,500 cycles found Inne\u2019s at-home fertility tracker to be 100% effective when used perfectly, and 92% effective for typical use.\u00a0<\/span>That\u2019s similar to the progesterone pill (99% and 92%), and far more effective than condoms (98% and 82% respectively), according to statistics from the NHS. However, it\u2019s worth noting that those forms of contraceptives have been researched for decades while Inne\u2019s sample was small and the study has not been peer-reviewed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Inne\u2019s saliva-based Minilab has been available for years as a fertility tracker to help women conceive. But only now has it received official approval for sale as a medical contraceptive device, following a review by the British Standards Institution \u2014 one of the key regulators for medical devices in Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n Welcome to TNW Conference Week!<\/p>\n Get your sun cream and sunglasses out as it’s going to be HOT. Last chance to join the get a ticket!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Eirini Rapti, Inne\u2019s founder and CEO, told TNW in an interview that the tech helps women <\/span>avoid the potential <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a> linked to hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills or IUD implants.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOnce you\u2019re off the pill, the first thing you do is start understanding your body \u2014 how you feel, how you respond,\u201d said Rapti. \u201cYou stop experiencing things like weight gain, migraines, and low libido. And suddenly, you see women really come alive, thinking, \u2018Oh, so this is what I actually feel like\u2019.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Inne is one of several tech-based contraceptive apps and devices to have emerged in recent years, driven by demand for hormone-free options to the pill or IUD.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Period-tracking apps, such as Flo, help women track their fertility windows based on data from their previous cycles. Others, such as Natural Cycles, take that a step further by determining where you are in your cycle based on daily temperature readings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But, according to Rapti, saliva is more reliable than both those methods because it relies on clearer biological data.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPeriod and temperature trackers rely on patterns or symptoms, but your body isn\u2019t always predictable,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTemperature can fluctuate for many other reasons, like if you\u2019re sick or going through perimenopause,\u201d Rapti continued. \u201cInne looks at what\u2019s actually happening with your hormones, day by day \u2014 it\u2019s just more precise.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Inne\u2019s technology<\/a> uses a lateral flow strip<\/a> similar to those used in COVID-19 or pregnancy tests. Users place a small amount of saliva on the strip, which contains antibodies that bind to progesterone hormones. The strip is then inserted into a matchbox-sized reading device that takes photos of the strip over 10 minutes, analysing how hormone particles move and develop across the strip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The reader processes these photos using biochemistry and image processing techniques to determine hormone intensity, which is then synced to a companion mobile app. From there, users can track their hormonal fluctuations throughout their menstrual cycle, gaining insights into fertility, potential contraception, and overall hormonal health.<\/span><\/p>\n Following the regulatory approval, Innie\u2019s birth control is now available for purchase in Germany and Austria, with plans to expand to the UK later this year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Minilab will be available on subscription only. Prices start at <\/span>\u20ac<\/span>24 per month if you pay up front for a two-year subscription. The device recently received coverage from Germany\u2019s largest public health insurer, and Inne plans to extend coverage to more providers in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n Ultimately, Rapti wants to make saliva-based testing a readily available option for women everywhere. \u201cIt won\u2019t be everyone\u2019s first choice, but we believe it\u2019s a really good alternative that allows women to take back control of their bodies and their health.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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