Menopause Startup Launches AI-Powered Sizzling Flash Care Product

Loewen Cavill, co-founder and CEO of Amira, by no means anticipated to work within the menopause area. However then her aunt was unexpectedly hospitalized as a consequence of extreme menopause signs. 

“She was waking up 5 instances an evening for 4 years [because of hot flashes],” Cavill mentioned in an interview. “Her sleep deprivation acquired so unhealthy that she needed to give up her job, that she would get sick the entire time, that she was not herself anymore, that she spent over $10,000 on medical doctors, naturopaths, and merchandise. One of many issues she tried despatched her to the hospital with uncomfortable side effects.”

Cavill thought her aunt’s expertise needed to be area of interest. However after digging deeper and talking with lots of of girls, she discovered that it was really quite common (actually, three-quarters of girls will battle sleep disruptions from sizzling flashes). This led Cavill to start out Amira in 2021. The startup is targeted on supporting ladies throughout menopause and launched a brand new product on Tuesday throughout CES 2024 that helps ladies going via menopause keep asleep at evening. 

The AI-powered product is named The Terra System and features a wearable bracelet that may predict sizzling flashes earlier than they happen. The consumer additionally receives a cooling mattress pad that the girl lies on. As soon as the bracelet detects that the new flash is going on, the mattress pad is activated. This helps the consumer average her temperature fluctuations and keep asleep all through the evening, Cavill mentioned.

Within the preliminary phases of testing the product, Cavill mentioned the crew would set an alarm to get up at 4 a.m. and eat ghost peppers to imitate a number of the temperature modifications ladies going via menopause expertise. Amira additionally launched The Terra System to 50 ladies for suggestions earlier than launching it. One consumer mentioned that she “didn’t even discover” her sizzling flashes at evening when utilizing the product, in accordance with a information launch.

The Terra System prices $699 for shoppers however is accessible for preorder at 25% off. Ultimately, Amira goals to work with insurers and employers to supply protection for the product, Cavill mentioned. 

The discharge of the product comes after the October launch of Amy, a textable AI well being coach. Customers first inform Amy in regards to the menopause signs they’ve and what they’ve tried to deal with these signs. Then Amy will present personalised suggestions to customers and can verify in on sufferers about their progress. Amy is presently out there to shoppers without spending a dime, although the corporate might cost for the characteristic sooner or later, in accordance with Cavill.

Amira will not be the one firm that provides a wearable system for menopause. Different gadgets embrace the Embr Wave 2 and the Thermaband Zone.

Trying forward, Amira is targeted on getting the phrase out about The Terra System. The corporate additionally hopes to search out methods to make the product extra accessible to ladies.

“Numerous our Amy customers are on Medicaid and are going to meals banks, so promoting them a $699 factor is tough for these customers. [We’re] determining ways in which we are able to present for them as properly,” Cavill mentioned.

Photograph: Peter Dazeley, Getty Photos