Hormone tracking has become a hot topic in the health and wellness world, with influencers and health enthusiasts promoting hormone balance as a way to manage stress, lose weight, and address conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Now, a new device called the Hormometer from Eli Health aims to bring hormone testing into your home using just saliva and your smartphone’s camera.

The Hormometer is an at-home hormone test that works by analyzing saliva samples. The device consists of a slim cartridge that users place in their mouths for 60 seconds. It looks similar to a pregnancy test, with a small window where results appear. Once the sample is collected, the accompanying Eli app uses your phone’s camera to interpret the results based on the color intensity and patterns on the cartridge. The app then offers personalized insights on areas such as stress levels, sleep patterns, athletic performance, and fertility.

At launch, Eli Health is offering two types of hormone tests: cortisol and progesterone.

Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, plays a key role in managing blood pressure, metabolism, blood sugar, and sleep cycles. High or low cortisol levels can lead to a variety of health problems, including weight changes, fatigue, Type 2 diabetes, and abnormal blood pressure.
Progesterone is a reproductive hormone essential for fertility and regulating menstrual cycles. Imbalances in progesterone can cause irregular periods, fertility challenges, and even mood disorders like depression.

The Hormometer taps into growing trends in the health tech space, especially the rise of at-home testing kits, which became increasingly popular during the covid-19 pandemic. Devices like smart PCR tests provided quick and convenient results without the need for lab visits, making them appealing for personal and workplace use.

The main advantage of the Hormometer is its portability and convenience. Traditional hormone tests usually require lab work and a doctor’s visit, with results taking days or weeks to process. In contrast, Eli’s device provides faster results and is far less invasive — no need for blood samples or urine collection.

In terms of pricing, Eli Health offers the Hormometer through a subscription plan starting at $8 per month with a 12-month commitment. This is comparable to other at-home hormone tests, which typically cost between $30 and $250 and require users to mail in their samples.

Hormone testing, especially for cortisol, has gained traction on social media. Throughout 2024, TikTok trends like “cortisol face” flooded feeds with tips to reduce stress hormone levels. However, medical experts caution against the idea of “balancing” hormones, as hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day. While the concept may be overhyped online, tools like the Hormometer could be valuable for people with diagnosed hormonal conditions to monitor their health.

One key factor in the device’s success will be accuracy. According to Eli Health, the Hormometer is FDA-registered, though it’s important to note that registration is not the same as FDA clearance or approval. FDA registration simply means the company has informed the agency of the product’s existence. Eli claims that in third-party testing, its cortisol test was 97% accurate, while its progesterone test achieved 94% accuracy compared to lab-based tests.

Eli Health plans to launch beta access for the Hormometer in the U.S. and Canada this month, with a full release expected later this year. The company also announced that it’s working on expanding the device’s capabilities with future tests for testosterone and estradiol to provide users with even more insights into their hormone health.

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