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 for the Q-Pad for Diabetes
Qvin’s Q-Pad—a modified menstrual pad embedded with a dried blood spot (DBS) strip—offers a clinically validated, non-invasive solution for diabetes monitoring by enabling self-collection of menstrual blood (MB). MB is a complex biological fluid containing whole blood, endometrial tissue, and vaginal secretions, and has demonstrated strong concordance with venous blood for key clinical biomarkers, including hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), the gold-standard indicator of long-term glycemic control. In both healthy and diabetic populations, Q-Pad-collected HbA1c levels showed correlation coefficients up to r = 0.96 and a mean bias below 1% when compared with venipuncture samples, supporting its analytical accuracy and reliability [1][2]. The Q-Pad addresses barriers associated with traditional blood collection—such as fear of needles, logistical constraints, and clinic access—by passively collecting stabilized samples during menstruation, which are then processed using standard laboratory instrumentation. Recognized and cleared by the FDA [3], the Q-Pad represents a novel and scalable approach to expand access to chronic disease monitoring, particularly for women in underserved or remote settings.
References
[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.
[3] Qvin Q-Pad 510(k) Summary, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2023.
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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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