Revolutionizing Women's Health: Singapore's Prelude Health Launches At-Home Saliva Test for Perimenopause Insights

In the realm of women's health, perimenopause often takes center stage, yet remains largely misunderstood. This transitional phase, which can last up to a decade, poses challenges for women who are often left in the dark regarding their symptoms and hormonal changes. Recognizing the need for clarity and support, Singapore-based start-up Prelude Health has introduced a groundbreaking solution: Hormony, a simple at-home saliva test designed to track hormone fluctuations during this critical period.

Traditionally, women only receive confirmation of having reached menopause after a full year without a period, leading to confusion as to whether their symptoms are a natural part of aging or indicative of other health issues. Are you experiencing mood swings, sleep disturbances, or unexplained weight gain? With Hormony, the uncertainty can fade away.

A Smart Solution for Hormonal Health

Hormony provides a comprehensive approach to understanding hormonal health by measuring cortisol levels, a hormone closely tied to stress and perimenopausal symptoms. What sets this innovative test apart is its integration with an AI-driven app, which offers real-time insights tailored to individual health histories. Users can share their results with healthcare providers and connect with a supportive community of women navigating similar experiences.

The concept took shape when Mayra Hurtado, the CEO and co-founder, faced her own health struggles. Gaining weight and suffering from insomnia and migraines, she sought answers from various medical professionals, only to receive a diagnosis of perimenopause that left her feeling overwhelmed. This journey ignited her passion for a solution that would empower women with actionable data and insights.

Expert Collaboration for Enhanced Accuracy

To augment her vision, Hurtado partnered with Dr. Sarita Kumble, a biochemist with firsthand experience of perimenopause. Together, they tapped into expert talents such as Joe Dunbar, a specialist in saliva testing for elite athletes. Dunbar’s expertise in analyzing cortisol levels positioned Hormony as a prime candidate for transforming how women perceive and manage their hormonal health.

Studies show that elevated cortisol levels can amplify perimenopausal symptoms, making it crucial to recognize individual cortisol patterns. Unlike traditional lab testing that often proves costly and limited in scope, Hormony empowers women to capture and comprehend their hormonal fluctuations over time.

A Unique Testing Experience

The Hormony kit is designed for convenience—allowing women to conduct multiple tests over a month. With each kit containing 10 tests, users collect saliva and mix it with a solution before applying it to a test strip, similar to common COVID-19 tests. The results are interpreted and relayed through a user-friendly app, allowing women to see the effects of their lifestyle choices on their cortisol levels.

Initially, Hormony is set to launch in Singapore in April 2025, followed by expansions to the United States and other global markets later that year. The company also has plans to develop additional tests to measure testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen, further enhancing the scope of hormonal health monitoring.

Changing the Narrative Around Perimenopause

Since its inception, Prelude Health has been fostering a dialogue about perimenopause—a subject that has often been shrouded in stigma and silence. Hurtado passionately advocates for reframing the conversation, stating, “We need to celebrate this phase of our lives, just like we do in adolescence. It should be viewed as a beautiful stage, not a burden.”

By earning accolades, including the FemTech category award at the Global Tech Awards 2024, Prelude Health underscores the urgency and importance of addressing women's hormonal health issues. As the topic continues to gain recognition, the start-up leads the charge in normalizing discussions around perimenopause, driving awareness and creating valuable resources for women.

Empowering women with knowledge about their bodies has never been more critical. With tools like Hormony, understanding hormonal fluctuations is only a test away. Will you be ready to take charge of your health journey?