Study, 2009
Can we predict a woman's menstrual cycle by measuring her skin temperature at night?
A device that measures skin temperature during sleep correctly predicted 71.6% of menstrual cycles tested, suggesting this could be a useful way to track periods.
What they did
Researchers developed a small device worn around the abdomen that measured skin temperature every 10 minutes during sleep. A mobile phone captured the temperature data and sent it to a computer server. Mathematical models were used to predict when the two temperature phases of the menstrual cycle were happening.
What they found
In 30 women aged 14 to 46 followed for 6 months, 71.6% of 190 menstrual cycles were correctly predicted by the device. When the device predicted a cycle, it was accurate 96.6% of the time.
What it means for you
This method shows promise for tracking periods and potentially managing PMS, but it was only tested in a small group of women and only for 6 months.
30
women in the study
71.6%
of 190 menstrual cycles correctly predicted
6 months
length of study
About the study
- Original title
- Estimation of the biphasic property in a female's menstrual cycle from cutaneous temperature measured during sleep
- Authors
- Chen W, Kitazawa M, Togawa T
- Journal
- Annals of biomedical engineering
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 30
- What was tested
- Wearable temperature monitoring device
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s10439-009-9746-6
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2026
Do sleep, exercise, and diet quality affect period pain, heavy bleeding, and PMS in midlife?
Randomised trial, 2026
Does a warm footbath help PMS symptoms and sleep quality?
Review, 2024
What do brain wave patterns show about PMS and PMDD?
Cohort study, 2024
Is there a link between sleep and menstrual problems in teenage girls?
Randomised trial, 2010
Does Vitex agnus castus (chasteberry) reduce PMS symptoms in Chinese women?
Cohort study, 2004
Do women with PMS have worse menopausal symptoms?