Highly Irregular Cycles in PCOS to be monitored by a bracelet Now

A medical technology company, Ava best known for its popular cycle-tracking Ava bracelet, has announced, in collaboration with the University Hospital of Zurich, the initiation of a clinical trial monitoring women with highly irregular cycles – including those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

The new study seeks to examine possible future extension of the services Ava already offers for women with regular cycles – detection of the fertile window – to women with irregular cycles, including women with PCOS.

Led by Prof. Brigitte Leeners, a renowned expert in research on women's fertility and reproductive endocrinology, and running through the end of March 2018, the trial will involve 50 women with irregular cycles (including those diagnosed with PCOS) who will be wearing the Ava bracelet every night.

Affecting approximately 8-12 percent of women, irregular cycles are mostly caused by a hormonal imbalance, with PCOS in some cases, as the underlying reason for such an imbalance. PCOS is one of the leading reasons women have trouble conceiving. Currently, women with highly irregular cycles (and PCOS) have no easy or convenient way to detect the fertile days in a monthly cycle. One of the current common fertility tests, the temperature method, can only confirm ovulation after it has happened and, with irregular cycles, that information cannot be used to estimate current or future fertile windows prospectively. In addition, LH testing might not be suitable for all women with PCOS, given the hormonal imbalance.

Ava's current bracelet product is designed to help women with cycles between 24 and 35 days, and the intent with the new trial and consequent research is to eventually develop technology designed to detect fertility among women with cycles outside this range.

According to Ava Vice President of Research Peter Stein, "This trial is just an example of how Ava is just one more step along the way to helping fulfill the company vision and mission to become a companion for women along all stages of their reproductive lives."