Aaria Varma
Low-Cost Colorimetric Screening for Menstrual Health Risks

A thin, low-cost disposable insert that fits inside any sanitary pad or cloth and provides an early warning for common menstrual health risks through a simple color-window readout—no phone, lab, or electricity required. The insert uses paper microfluidics to wick menstrual fluid through patterned channels into small reaction zones that change color to indicate (1) heavy bleeding level, (2) possible anemia risk (via proxy indicators), and (3) basic infection flags such as pH shifts. Results are designed to be intuitive even with low literacy using a printed reference scale, and the strip can be discreetly discarded after use. Prototyping focuses on consistent wicking geometry, heat/humidity-stable reagents, contamination-safe packaging, and clear interpretation thresholds. The goal is to enable private, early signals for care-seeking in low-resource settings where heavy bleeding and recurring infections are often normalized until they become emergencies.













