Smart Bluetooth menstrual cap helps track period

Looncup is a Bluetooth-enabled smart menstrual cup that can track the volume and color of fluids. It also helps keep track of menstruation. It works with iOS and Android devices. Loonlabs, the creator of the Looncup is based in South Korea.

"Think of the Looncup as your monthly period partner -- a friend who drops by when you need her to help you feel better and make sure you're taking care of your body during this special time," Looncups' campaign says. "A Looncup can do so much more than a tampon, pad, or even a regular menstrual cup can do. It's the world's first smart menstruation cup, and you'll love the way it tells you exactly how full it is, and when it's time to refresh. Your new Looncup will precisely track your fluid volume, fluid colour, and analyse your cycles. Try finding a tampon, pad, or cup that can do all of that!"

Ryong Hwang, CEO of Loon Labs said that the idea had originated almost two years ago. The first few testers of the Looncup were female employees but the circle quickly widened to friends of the company.

Looncup's embedded triaxial, RGB and force sensors, and Bluetooth receiver are sealed in the silicone, so they will never make contact with any part of the body, and they connect with a smartphone app to track and analyze menstrual data.

Kate Lee, Project Manager of Loon Labs said the data provided by the app will also come in handy if females need to go to the doctor. Looncup also analyzes the color of the fluid. A lighter color could indicate anemia, while darker for the entire duration could indicate dehydration.

"The version we have right now, it's the first version we have and it has to be improved in many ways, in terms of battery life and measurement accuracy." Lee said.

Looncup's battery is non-rechargeable and non-replaceable. It is because the electronics need to be sealed inside the silicone, to keep the electronics from harming the wearer, or fluids from damaging the electronics. The Looncup lasts for six months. Once the battery dies, the cup could be use as a regular menstrual cup.

"But, honestly, there is not much data in the world today that it's (Bluetooth) not good or bad to your body," said Lee. "Bluetooth has been invented less than 10 years now and there are still much studies going on about its side effects so we're still working on it and we're researching everything that we could find about the side effect on Bluetooth and using microwaves inside your body. So, what we're trying to do is we want to make a safe product."

The cup will be shipped worldwide on January 2016.