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End ‘Menstruation Mortification’: Smart Tampon Uses Bluetooth To Inform User When It Is Full

By Tara West
Published on: 16:59 PST, May 17, 2016

A controversial new tampon takes connectivity to a whole new level by utilizing Bluetooth to communicate with the user’s cell phone. The tampon uses the tech to tell the wearer when it needs to be changed and to provide historical data on the user’s monthly flow. The company claims that it will end “menstruation mortification” by ensuring there are no more leaks. However, not everyone is fond of the new product which requires the wearer to attach a 6 to 12-inch long tampon string to a monitor attached to their underwear band or waist.

The Daily Mail reports that a new feminine hygiene product called my.Flow is aimed at preventing “menstruation mortification” by ensuring user’s never suffer from leaks again. The product is also touted by its creators as a product that will put an end to Toxic Shock Syndrome and offer women with insight into their monthly cycles.

“Many girls experiencing the whirlwind of puberty are left guessing how long to leave their tampon in; this leads to a girl’s worst nightmare of having blood leak through her new white pants or, much worse, toxic shock syndrome, which, although less prevalent than it once was, in extreme cases can lead to amputation and even death.”

The my.Flow tampon is a gadget that connects the wearer’s tampon to a mobile app via Bluetooth. The tampon’s extra-long string (measuring 6 to 12-inches long) is snapped into a “period tracking monitor” which the user can snap to her waist or underwear. The monitor then sends information about the user’s flow to her cell phone app and is alerted with a warning message when the tampon is full and needs to be changed.

The company says that just like many other bodily functions that are heavily tracked thanks to technology, that a woman’s menstruation should be no different.

“We at my.Flow are set on making the monthly cycle the next tracked biological phenomenon, following in the footsteps of the hundreds of smart devices that track sleep, diet, exercise, and every other bodily function you can think of.”

The creators believe that with knowledge of menstruation comes power for women. The company hopes to open up conversation about periods and to encourage young women to not fear their monthly cycle but to embrace it. The company seems to already be opening up conversation. However, not everyone is so optimistic about the product with many noting it is unnecessary and ridiculous.

Despite the negative backlash, the company is pushing forward with plans to release the “smart” tampon in the future. So what will a Bluetooth enabled tampon cost a user? Engadget reveals that the monitoring device will cost a one-time fee of $49 with a box of tampons running about $13. Therefore, women wanting to track their monthly cycles and never risk an “embarrassing” leak again will need to commit with the initial $49 purchase. Additionally, the tampons will only be available initially via an online subscription service.

With these prices, a “smart” tampon user will spend $205 her first year to use the high-tech device. Do you think women will pay to have their menstruation charted for them on a smartphone app? Do you think the longer-than-average string and need for a waistband clip will deter many women from utilizing the product? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

[Image via Shutterstock]

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