Regular smear tests could be a thing of the past thanks to a new women's health business. Yoni Health is launching Europe's first 'period bank', which aims to provide women with the opportunity to take control of their health.
The period bank, which will officially launch later this year, will allow women to donate their menstrual sample, which will be analysed by scientists for vital research. This not only has the potential to replace regular smear tests, but it could also aid with the diagnosis of conditions such as endometriosis.
Entrepreneurial duo and women’s health advocates Karli Büchling and Emma Jarvis are behind Yoni Health. Yoni Health aims to break the stigma surrounding women's health. Through its market research, the business found that 89% of women would be happy to submit a menstrual sample.
The lack of research on women's reproductive health is a significant issue and highlights the ever-broadening gender health gap. There have been fewer than 400 recorded studies on periods around the world, compared to hundreds of thousands of studies done on male specimens.
Co-founder Karli has a personal tie to the project as she was ill as a student and had to get regular blood samples which made her very uncomfortable. She wanted to find an easier way to explore women's health, and periods felt like the natural fit, as so much can be determined through menstruation.
Karli said: "I had to take so many sick days because of my health issues, and I think a lack of awareness around women's health is a significant problem. We hope that Yoni Health can provide a simpler and effective approach to make a real difference and empower women to take control of their health."
Co-founder Emma said: “As a woman and business owner in the wellness industry I’m aware of the gender health gap and lack of attention given to women’s health issues. This is why Karli, and I are so passionate about Yoni Health and our mission to launch Europe’s first period bank.
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“We want to raise awareness and contribute to the vital research that’s needed to make significant breakthroughs in women’s health and we’re very grateful for the support of NatWest on this journey. The NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Hub has provided us with invaluable resources and mentorship that has helped us make our vision a reality.”
Karli, the founder of Natal Comfort and creator of the Anna Pregnancy Pillow, and Emma, the founder of pregnancy subscription service, Dearbump, and parental support platform, Parent Promise, both came through NatWest's Entrepreneur Accelerator programme. It provided has provided them with the resources and support they needed to grow their businesses.
Embarking on their latest venture together, they have the continued backing of the programme, which has helped them to refine their strategy and access support from leaders in their relevant specialisms.
Heather Waters, Regional Ecosystem Manager at NatWest, said: “At NatWest, we’re committed to supporting businesses that have a real passion for making a difference, and Yoni Health is a shining example of that. We’re proud to support Emma and Karli on this journey to create a positive impact on women’s health and we look forward to continuing our support as they embark on their latest venture.
Yoni Health is currently speaking to well-known women’s health brands around partnership opportunities and is also looking to secure further investment to make their vision a reality. For a small annual fee, people can sign up to bank their periods which will be analysed to provide valuable research into their own health, helping them combat any future diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, heart failure and spinal cord damage.
Yoni Health has also created a free period tracker, helping users easily identify any changes to their cycle and aiding their overall wellbeing. To learn more about Yoni Health, the period tracker app and to sign up to their market research, visit: https://yoni.health/ You can also find additional information on the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator programme here.
