How Hormone Monitors are Changing the Way Providers Care for Women

From changing the way pregnancies are planned to helping women anticipate perimenopause – female hormone trackers are here, and they’re helping clinicians provide better care for patients.

This blog will take a closer look at what hormone monitors can do, how to choose the right one for your patients, and how they can help you see improved outcomes in a range of clinical scenarios.

 

What is a hormone monitor?

A hormone monitor is a product that allows patients to non-invasively track their hormone levels and hormone metabolites in urine from the comfort of their home. Hormone monitors can be compared to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in the sense that, unlike conventional blood test snapshot analysis, they allow for daily hormone tracking.

For women, regular hormone tracking with a hormone monitor can provide enhanced insights into the menstrual cycle. Individuals can then use this information to make informed decisions about their fertility, hormones, and general health and well-being.

When it comes to available products for women, there are a variety of options on the market. This includes basic ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) – all the way up to more comprehensive systems that test multiple hormones at the same time. Here is just one example of how some of the more advanced hormone and fertility monitors work.

For clinicians, one of the best features of the more advanced hormone monitors is the ability for individuals to share their results with their healthcare providers – leading to improved care throughout the patient’s journey.

 

10 clinical examples where hormone trackers can help

Here are ten specific examples of how hormone trackers can be used in clinical settings:

1. Identifying the fertile window in order to plan (or avoid) pregnancy by monitoring E3G, LH, and PdG levels.
2. Identifying abnormalities in hormone patterns among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who may have high levels of LH or FSH.
3. Identifying abnormalities in hormone patterns among patients with cycle issues such as amenorrhea or irregular cycles.
4. Assisting in diagnosing estrogen dominance among patients with abnormally high E3G levels and corresponding symptoms.
5. Identifying ovulatory vs. anovulatory cycles among patients approaching perimenopause and monitoring the body’s response to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
6. Monitoring the transition off of birth control by assessing the return of fertility and identifying fertile windows in order to plan (or avoid) pregnancy.
7. Monitoring the return of coordinated hormone patterns after miscarriage.
8. Monitoring the return of coordinated hormone patterns after childbirth by identifying the transition from postpartum amenorrhea to ovulatory cycles.
9. Monitoring the return of coordinated hormone patterns after a hysterectomy to identify cycle phase.
10. Correlating hormone patterns with symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

 

Considerations to make before recommending a hormone monitor to patients

Everyone’s health needs are different, and certain hormone monitors may be better suited to a patient than others. Here are just a few considerations to make before recommending a hormone monitor to patients in your practice.

 

Accuracy and reliability vs cost

There are two major technologies utilized by hormone monitor manufacturers. The first is the traditional nano-gold labeled lateral flow assay and the second is fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay.

Fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay offers a distinct advantage in terms of accuracy and sensitivity, this is because fluorescent molecules emit a stronger and more easily detectable signal. In turn, this enhances the detection of low concentrations of target analytes (such as hormone molecules in urine samples) – providing individuals with more accurate and reliable test results.

Most hormone trackers (e.g. Inito, Proov, Oova), use the traditional nano-gold technology as it is more simple and cost-effective. However, these trackers are not as accurate as trackers that utilize fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay technology (which is used in laboratories). Of all hormone trackers, Mira is the only tracker that leverages fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay technology.

 

Quantitative vs qualitative results

Hormone monitors that offer exact values as raw hormone data tend to be more accurate and hence, more useful in clinical practices. Only the hormone monitors utilizing fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay technology can offer truly quantitative results.

Monitors that use smartphone cameras to “read” the results use nano-gold technology – meaning they can only provide a range, a number inside a range, or a ‘yes/no’ result.

 

Scope of hormones measured

Several at-home hormone monitors measure up to five hormones – such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estradiol metabolite (E3G), and progesterone metabolite (PdG).

Deciding which hormones a patient needs to track will depend on their individual situation and health/fertility goals.

 

Ability to track other symptoms

Sometimes it may be helpful for patients to track other symptoms alongside their hormone levels – such as basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus, mood, libido, energy levels, and more.

Symptom monitoring is a fairly common feature among hormone monitors (especially monitors with corresponding apps). However, to ensure that the hormone monitoring system suits the patient’s exact needs, it may be worth checking which symptoms can be tracked and how they’re presented within the dashboard.

 

Educational resources and dashboard access

The ability to monitor hormones at home is a relatively new phenomenon, and patients will definitely need some extra support with interpreting and understanding their results. Before recommending a hormone monitor, make sure to double-check that the company has plenty of educational resources, tutorials, and case studies for patients to access at home if they need it.

It’s also worth exploring how you can, as a provider, access your patients’ results in their dashboard. This feature is absolutely crucial and allows you to see patient results in real time, allowing you to provide them with the very best comprehensive care.

 

Ease of use

Last but not least, patients (and providers!) deserve a product that is easy to use and easy to understand. Before recommending any products within your practice, consider trialing a few sample monitors yourself to make sure they are both user-friendly and provider-friendly.

 

3 key benefits of utilizing hormone monitors in your clinical practice

 

Benefit #1: Identifying underlying hormone issues

Hormone monitors for women tend to measure four key reproductive hormones – including LH, FSH, E3G, and PdG.

By measuring and tracking these hormones regularly over time, individuals can see their unique hormone cycle mapped out for them. As a healthcare provider, you can assess their charts and easily spot any irregularities that could indicate an underlying hormone problem.

 

Benefit #2: Patient education and empowerment

Regular hormone tracking empowers patients to take control of their reproductive health in real time. Depending on their goals, they can use their results to estimate their fertility window, identify their unique ovulation patterns, determine how far away they may be from menopause, and so much more.

By having access to their hormone data at home, patients can feel validated and empowered to advocate for themselves and their health goals.

 

Benefit #3: Monitoring progress and tailoring treatment plans

Ongoing remote hormone tracking gives providers an abundance of rich, real-time data about their patients. For providers, this information makes it much easier to assess a patient’s response to interventions, tailor treatments for each individual, and more accurately analyze progress over the course of several menstrual cycles.

 

How you can utilize hormone trackers in your clinical practice

Now let’s take a deep dive into how these hormone trackers are being utilized in clinical settings today. Check out these three case studies that use data from the Mira hormone monitor.

 

Case Study #1: Identifying underlying hormones issues

Low hormone levels were discovered in a 40-year-old female unable to conceive for one year.

When trying to conceive, it’s important to have regular cycles – but it’s not enough to assume that a “regular” cycle means that hormone levels are balanced. Case Study #1 highlights the impact hormone tracking can make when exploring underlying patterns that could be hindering fertility.

This example is from a 40-year-old female who had been trying to conceive for one year before she began tracking her hormones with Mira.

Immediately, it is evident that her hormone levels are low before and after her LH surge – indicating a suboptimal hormonal pattern and suboptimal ovulation. Although the patient was having all the positive signs (i.e. regular cycles, positive LH test strips, and normal luteal phase lengths), it was discovered within one cycle of hormone tracking with Mira that she was likely having sub-optimal ovulations – as evidenced by low levels of E3G and PdG.

Interventions were needed to improve her hormone patterns in order to support ovulation and reach her ultimate goal of conception. With this information available, the patient and her care team could utilize targeted interventions to improve her hormone patterns and quality of ovulation.

 

 

Mira data discovered:

• Low E3G levels
• Lack of effective rise of E3G before ovulation
• Low PdG levels after LH surge

 

Case Study #2: Assisting with identifying the root cause of hormone imbalance

Suboptimal hormone patterns were identified, leading to a hypothyroidism diagnosis.

Hormone monitors can shed light on abnormalities in underlying hormone levels; prompting further testing and helping to uncover the root cause of the hormonal issue.

In Case Study #2, Mira’s data identified sub-optimal hormonal patterns, which then prompted a further workup uncovering the problem: hypothyroidism. In this case, the patient’s provider treated her with thyroid medication and used ovulation induction medication to reach her fertility goal of conception in December (just 2 months after starting treatment).

Before Treatment

October Mira Chart

 

Mira data discovered:

• Low and minimal E3G changes
• Small LH surge on Cycle Day 14 (Oct 29)
• Minimal rise in PdG after LH surge

November Mira Chart

 

Mira data discovered:

• Low and minimal E3G changes
• No LH surge found
• No ovulation discovered

After treatment with thyroid medication and ovulation induction medication

December Mira Chart

 

Mira data discovered:

• Improved E3G changes
• LH surge on Cycle Day 16
• Ovulation confirmed with sustained PdG levels
• Outcome: Pregnancy

 

Case Study #3: Identifying hormone patterns in perimenopause to help alleviate symptoms

During the perimenopausal transition, hormones can be abnormal, unpredictable, and lack coordination – resulting in anovulatory cycles and a variety of challenging symptoms. By tracking underlying hormone patterns, providers can identify ovulatory vs anovulatory cycles, correlate symptoms with hormone patterns, and monitor patients’ response to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Patient identifies ovulatory vs anovulatory cycles.

In this example, we have a 49-year-old female patient who had been experiencing severe cycle variability alongside heavy bleeding and many days of spotting. Sometimes her cycles were long, but other times they were short. At times, the patient was unsure if she was having breakthrough bleeding or true ovulatory cycles.

The patient began testing with Mira, which revealed an underlying hormone pattern.

 

 

Mira Data Discovered:

• Consistently elevated E3G
• Lack of LH surge
• Lack of PdG changes

Mira data identified anovulatory cycles and estrogen dominance.

By discovering her underlying hormone patterns, she could identify ovulatory vs. anovulatory cycles and discuss potential treatment options with her provider.

In another case, a 50-year-old female was diagnosed with perimenopause, stress, anxiety, HPA axis dysfunction, endometriosis, and adenomyosis.

She had experienced a stressful year with multiple life stressors and traumatic events; living in a crisis state of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. She also experienced heavy periods, breast tenderness, losing her hair, and a significant decline in mood.

Before treatment

 

Mira data discovered:

• Fluctuating and high estrogen levels
• Lack of LH surge
• Lack of progesterone changes

Provider identified: Estrogen dominance and anovulatory cycle.

After hormone monitoring with Mira, her provider observed estrogen fluctuations and peaks – without an LH surge or progesterone changes. They also found a correlation between irritability and mood changes related to estrogen peaks.

Her provider determined that she was experiencing estrogen dominance and anovulatory cycles. Treatment was a combination of lifestyle, diet, supplement modifications, and the use of topical transdermal progesterone.

After hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatment

 

Mira data discovered:

• Improved estrogen levels and pattern
• Continued low LH
• Minimal PdG changes
• Anovulatory cycle

Following HRT, the provider was able to see an improvement in estrogen patterns. Many of the patient’s symptoms also eased, and her understanding of what was going on in her body improved – providing her with a huge sense of relief.

 

Final thoughts

Hormone monitors are an invaluable tool for helping patients better understand what’s going on inside their body. They can see their unique hormone patterns for themselves, and then use their charts to plan (or avoid) pregnancies, better understand their day-to-day symptoms, and make good decisions for their overall health.

For providers, hormone monitors offer a way to monitor patient progress based on real-time data, empowering them to tailor treatment plans accordingly.

Overall, a win-win for both providers and patients!

For additional case studies, please refer to this page.