pHeminine is a biosensing wearable that transforms natural pH shifts during menstruation into digital, interactive visual data.
PROJECT: Biosening wearable & app
TEAM: Two partners and I
DURATION: 8 Weeks
SKILLS: Prototyping, industrial design, interface design
the challenge
Many women lack accessible, intuitive tools to track and understand their menstrual health
After conducting interviews with college-aged women, we quickly learned that while tracking menstrual cycles was important, there was a gap in existing menstrual products. Smart underwear, smart menstrual cups, and digital tracking apps on the market were advanced and intuitive, but lacked personalization and tangible factors that interviewees desired.
the outcome
We designed a sustainable, biosensing wearable for personalized data tracking
pHeminine takes a hybrid approach by combining physical and digital modalities to provide users with an intuitive analysis as well as a sustainable alternative to disposable, wasteful products. We envision a panty liner that empowers women to understand their body’s natural rhythms through the visual tracking of pH color changes from cervical fluid. Our panty liner is made with 100% cotton fabric and thread dyed with butterfly pea flower and embroidered into a moon cycle-shaped patch.
digital pairing
Scan patch data for optional on-going tracking and data analysis
The pairing app and scanning feature allow users to digitize their data to keep an ongoing catalogue of previous patch data.
optional tracking
Optional long-term tracking provides visuals of menstrual cycle trends and predictive insights
The patch can then be scanned into the app for long-term data tracking, allowing the user to see and understand fluctuations in their menstrual health over time.
dive deeper
background
The natural pH indicating properties of butterfly pea powder informed our product direction
In addition to our tangible and sustainable approach, we also found that pH fluctuation was an overlooked metric when it came to menstrual tracking and analysis. Early research revealed that fluctuations in vaginal pH during the menstrual cycle can indicate normal changes or signal potential health concerns. The biomaterial reactivity of our product results from a natural material known as butterfly pea powder, a natural bioindicator that changes hue depending on the acidity of what it comes into contact with.
With the pH-reactive properties of butterfly pea dye, users track pH fluctuations across the four stages of menstruation (menstruation, follicular, ovulation, and luteal) to create a personalized, digital map of their hormonal and physiological changes. This mapping provides actionable insights into both regular symptoms—such as acne or mood changes—and irregular indicators, like infection or imbalance, fostering a proactive approach to health.
user research
We asked college women questions about cycle tracking
"If I knew more about the stages of my period cycle, I would be able to make more connections to the consistency or color of discharge to conclude any irregularities."
"Your menstrual cycle informs your mood, how you eat, how you work out, and the grace that you give yourself."
"I would be most interested in learning about my cycle in its entirety and how each phase impacts all aspects of health... so I can understand myself in my daily acts of living."
material exploration
We experimented with paints, plastics, and embroidery in a wet lab
From biopaints to bioplastics, we created a variety of bio materials in a wet lab to ideate our product and explore a wearable that was effective and comfortable. In addition to the method of fabrication, we also tested the environments of the material, such as cotton, silk, and polyester.
how ai assisted
ChatGPT helped us visualize our pH spectrum before creating it
We utilized ChatGPT to help us understand what the pH color spectrum would look like for butterfly pea powder in parallel with the fluctuating pH levels during the menstrual cycle. While not completely accurate, the AI results helped us begin to imagine what our eventual wet lab spectrum would look like, giving us confidence and clarity moving forward.
info
I’m a multidisciplinary product designer passionate about crafting meaningful experiences that help people thrive.
I am currently looking for a full-time, on-site role in Boston!
peter loughlin
product experience designer
contact
pwtloughlin@gmail.com
781-910-7888
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