Professor Robert Gorkin from the Translational Health Research Institute (THRI) will lead the project titled Innovating Menstrual Health Management: Implementing Clinically Informed Absorbency Standards & Digital Diaries.
The initiative aims to empower women and healthcare professionals by improving how menstrual bleeding is understood and when it may signal a need for medical care.
Professor Gorkin will head an interdisciplinary team from WSU, bringing together leading researchers and clinicians across health, technology, and diagnostics. The team includes Associate Professor Mike Armour, Associate Professor Carolyn Ee, and Dr Millie Mardon from the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM).
Professor Gorkin said that by co-developing absorbency benchmarking methodologies for menstrual products and intuitive digital tracking tools designed to support earlier detection of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), the project aims to reduce stigma and confusion for those affected, while significantly improving quality of life for women worldwide.
“Too many women suffer in silence. The stigma and lack of accessible, clear information in hygiene products make it difficult for women to know when blood loss requires clinical attention,” said Professor Gorkin.
“By creating practical tools to support women in self-monitoring their health and enabling clinicians to make more informed diagnoses, we’re looking to fill a critical gap in care.”
HMB is one of the most underdiagnosed reproductive health conditions globally, with estimates suggesting it affects up to one in four women. It is frequently associated with treatable underlying conditions and can impose serious physical, emotional, and social burdens.
You can find out more about the project on the Gates Foundation website: www.gatesfoundation.org
