Oura Ring Data Reveals New Insights into Perimenopause
The transition to menopause has long been a black box of women’s health, with many experiencing symptoms for years before recognition. Now, smart ring maker Oura is shedding new light on this critical life stage through an unprecedented analysis of data from over 100,000 users.
The company’s first Perimenopause Report offers a detailed look at the physiological changes women experience during perimenopause. Drawing from real-world data collected through its smart rings, the report reveals significant impacts on sleep, cardiovascular health, and emotional wellbeing during this transition.
Among the most striking findings is the progressive loss of sleep quality, with women losing up to two hours of sleep weekly as they transition from perimenopause to postmenopause. The data also shows that late-perimenopausal women are significantly more likely to experience emotional changes, with a 33% increase in reported anger and a 28% increase in sadness compared to premenopausal women.
Perhaps most concerning is the report’s finding on cardiovascular health. Heart rate variability, a key indicator of cardiovascular health, shows a 20-30% decline in early and late perimenopausal women. This data point is particularly significant given the growing recognition of women’s cardiovascular health risks during menopause.
The release of this report marks a significant shift in women’s health technology. While fertility tracking has dominated the femtech landscape for years, attention is increasingly turning to midlife women’s health. Oura’s initiative goes beyond mere tracking, introducing 17 new perimenopause-specific tags and forging partnerships with hormone testing platforms and healthcare providers. By partnering with companies like Mira, Proov, Clue, sanoLiving and Hertility, Oura is creating an ecosystem that bridges the gap between data collection and clinical care.
The timing is crucial. Despite affecting all women who live long enough to experience it, perimenopause remains poorly understood and inadequately addressed in healthcare settings. Studies show that 44% of women feel healthcare professionals don’t take their symptoms seriously, while only 28% report knowing what to expect during menopause.
By quantifying the physical and emotional impacts of perimenopause through objective data, Oura’s report could help validate women’s experiences and inform better treatment approaches. The ability to track and document symptoms through wearable technology might also empower women in their conversations with healthcare providers.
However, the true test will be how this data translates into improved care. While wearable technology can identify patterns and changes, the challenge remains in turning these insights into actionable healthcare solutions. The success of Oura’s initiative will likely depend on how effectively their ecosystem of partnerships can connect women with appropriate care interventions.
As the femtech industry continues to mature, this kind of data-driven approach to women’s health could set new standards for how technology companies address previously underserved health needs. The question now is whether healthcare systems and providers will be ready to integrate these insights into clinical practice.
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