Petal bra insert monitors menstrual cycle, heart and body with bio-impedance sensors

Petal is a health-tracking insert designed to fit inside a bra and monitor the menstrual cycle, heart and body, the company says. The device uses bio-impedance sensors and electrical measurements to monitor blood flow near the heart. Because the insert sits next to the heart, Petal says it can capture more accurate readings than a typical smartwatch.

The insert comes in one size, fits snug against each breast and is made from biocompatible materials, including a soft European fabric and a polyurethane-coated interior. Petal says it monitors data across four pillars—heart, mind, body and cycle—senses a user’s baseline and notifies the user when deviations occur.

The company also says the device is suited to monitor variations in breast tissue during the menstrual cycle, tracking breast tissue and water content, and measuring midsection fat and visceral fat percentage. "Petal uses breast tissue measurements as a more direct biological indicator.

Your breast tissue and hydration levels undergo distinct, predictable changes throughout your cycle. Our sensors create a private, bias-free characterization of these fluctuations," a Petal spokesperson told ZDNET. The insert reportedly lasts up to 18 days on a single charge; ZDNET’s reviewer wrote this is far longer than the two to ten days typical of smartwatches and smart rings they have tested.

Key Topics

Health, Petal, Bra Insert, Bio-impedance Sensors, Menstrual Cycle, Breast Tissue