At Oura, we are doubling down on our investment in women’s health through ongoing research with leading academic institutions.

As part of that investment, Oura Ring will be used to help better understand the physiology of the menstrual cycles of underrepresented groups in a new study led by Stanford University School of Medicine professors Engelhardt and Snyder. 

Addressing the Lack of Diversity in Prior Research

Previous research has shown that by tracking heart rate, skin temperature, and heart rate variability, a wearable device like Oura has the capacity to predict what phase of the menstrual cycle the user is in and when they are fertile. 

However, the majority of previous research has been conducted on predominantly white, naturally cycling, cis-gendered women, which has led to a narrow understanding of the mechanisms and physiological experiences of the menstrual cycle that only represents a small slice of the menstruating population. 

For example, current research rarely includes people experiencing hormonal disruptions. This may include people using contraceptives, athletes, breastfeeding women, or those experiencing reproductive health conditions. 

This has led to a gap in understanding how the menstrual cycles of individuals are influenced by different socioeconomic backgrounds, reproductive disorders, or hormonal impacts.

Furthermore, this lack of diversity in research ultimately impacts the validity of the findings and the societal impact of the research.  

RELATED: Busting the 14-Day Ovulation Myth 

STIGMA Research

The Study on Typically Ignored Groups of Menstruating Adults, or STIGMA, will include a diverse cohort of participants. The goal is to understand the relationship between the menstrual cycle and general health, which will help develop algorithms that more accurately predict menstrual cycle patterns for a wider group of people, while also deepening the research community’s understanding of how the physiology of one cycle can be used as a source of information for more menstruating people. The end goal is to empower more menstruating adults to understand when abnormalities in their cycle are expected given athletic performance, hormone exposure, or stress, and when those abnormalities suggest a possible reproductive disease or condition that may lead to infertility if untreated.

How Oura is Involved

The researchers will give all participants an Oura Ring, which will monitor their biometric data throughout the phases of the menstrual cycle — specifically, heart rate, skin temperature, and heart rate variability, metrics that correlate with each menstrual phase.

Up to 10,000 research volunteers will be enrolled in this study, recruiting in phases and beginning with 300 participants in California and other states with laws that protect abortion. Volunteers will be enrolled in the study for one year. Participants who currently own Oura rings are also invited to join the study with their own ring.

In addition to the biometric data tracked by Oura, participants will also be asked to complete weekly surveys regarding aspects of their lifestyle, and any relevant events that influence findings, like menstruation, travel, or illness.

Recruiting Participants

Stanford will be recruiting participants by posting flyers in women’s health clinics in the Bay Area and Vaden Health Clinic. Physicians may inform their patients about our study if they agree. Researchers will recruit Stanford students with physical flyers on campus and email blasts to athletic clubs, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC student groups. Additionally, they will also reach out to larger lactation and PRIDE groups and studies, as well as those who currently use an Oura Ring through their Oura App. Please reach out to stigmastudy@stanford.edu or go to https://www.stanfordgladstonebeehive.com/stigma with any questions or if you are interested in joining the study

For complaints, concerns, or participant’s rights, contact 1-866-680-2906. Time commitment: 45 minutes screening and initial questionnaire, then 10 minutes per week for study duration.

The Future of Women’s Health Research

Incorporating technology such as Oura Ring into women’s health research unlocks new potential for addressing disparities among underrepresented groups such as Black Americans, collegiate athletes, and breastfeeding mothers, who face barriers to using data from wearable devices to monitor their overall health.

By actively involving these communities, studies can fill data gaps, ensure heterogeneity in collected data, and produce more accurate findings.

Participation in research helps create higher-quality insights that better address the specific health needs of marginalized populations, ultimately promoting equity in healthcare.

RELATED: Researchers Use Oura to Study Changes Driven By The Menstrual Cycle