DIAGNOSING CONDITIONS
Undestanding
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, leading to serious complications if left unmanaged. Early detection and consistent monitoring are essential to managing the condition and preventing long-term health issues.
HOW THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS FAILING WOMEN
Early Detection Is Crucial for Diabetes Management
Diabetes is often diagnosed too late, after complications like nerve damage, heart disease, or kidney problems have already begun. Without early intervention, the condition can lead to long-term health issues and a reduced quality of life.
Menstrual blood provides a more accessible and innovative approach to earlier diabetes detection and management.
Q-Pad A1c test - FDA cleared
Clinical Study
A method comparison study was conducted according to the instructions for use for the QPad Test System. One hundred and ninety-eight (198) patients self-collected menstrual samples and received traditional blood draws were collected across the assay range(4.6-14.2%), resulting in a performance of y = 1.003x – 0.0461, R2 = 0.99.
Additional Studies
Extensive Precision, Sample Stability, Shipping Stability, Reproducibility, Linearity, Specificity, Interference and Usability studies were conducted.
FDA Clearance
The Q-Pad A1c test passed an in-depth review by the FDA, and received a 510(k) clearance as the first test in the world, cleared for monitoring A1c from people diagnosed with diabetes using menstrual blood. To learn more, please read the full 510(k) summary.
Diabetes by the Numbers
Live with diabetes.
Are unaware of their diabetes.
Deaths due to diabetes.
Qvin Simplifies
Diabetes Screening
Partner with Qvin
THE PROBLEM
Approximately $966 billion was spent on
global diabetes-related health expenditures in 2021.
THE SOLUTION
Qvin makes blood work accessible, increasing
early detection, reducing costs, and saving lives.
Rationale
Menstrual blood (MB) is an emerging non-invasive biological sample that has shown strong concordance with venous blood for clinically relevant biomarkers. MB contains whole blood, vaginal secretions, and endometrial cells, offering a complex but diagnostically useful matrix. HbA1c, the gold-standard marker for long-term glycemic control in diabetes management, has been successfully quantified from MB, with correlation coefficients up to 0.96 against venipuncture samples in both healthy and diabetic populations [1][2]. This establishes MB as a reliable surrogate for systemic blood in HbA1c measurement, potentially enabling more accessible, self-collected monitoring solutions for women.
Q-Pad
The Q-Pad, a modified menstrual pad embedding a dried blood spot (DBS) strip, provides a practical platform for menstrual blood-based diagnostics. It enables passive, user-friendly self-collection during menstruation and stabilizes samples for accurate laboratory analysis. Clinical studies show HbA1c measurements from Q-Pad-collected samples are statistically indistinguishable from venous blood, with 94.9% correlation in diabetics and 0.90% mean bias [1][2]. The Q-Pad mitigates barriers linked to venipuncture—like pain, stress, and logistics—making it an especially suitable tool for chronic disease monitoring in underserved or remote populations.
Research
[1] Novel use of menstrual blood for monitoring glycaemic control in patients with diabetes: a proof-of-concept study, Naseri S, Brewster RCL, Blumenthal PD, BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, 2021
[2] Concordance of hemoglobin A1c and reproductive hormone levels in menstrual and venous blood, Naseri S et al., Fertility and Sterility Reports, 2024
JOIN US
Screening for diabetes can
improve health outcomes.
Be a part of the solution and transform diabetes care.
Funding
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Research
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