Modern lifestyles, chronic stress, and environmental factors are contributing to a complex health landscape for women. High levels of cortisol from daily stress can disrupt the balance of reproductive hormones, with studies suggesting a link between perceived stress and reduced fertility. Meanwhile, conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are prevalent, yet a significant number of cases remain undiagnosed, and the average diagnostic delay remains 7-12 years.

"At Daye, we are building the tools for the first-ever generation of truly healthy women. Our lives are fundamentally different from those of our grandmothers, yet we are stuck with outdated health management practices," says Valentina Milanova, CEO of Daye. "Modern lifestyle factors, from chronic stress to forever chemicals and sedentary work, have created hormonal profiles that look drastically different from what we saw even 50 years ago. The tools to understand and manage our hormonal health haven't kept pace."

The hidden health landscape

The statistics on hormonal health issues in the UK highlight the scale of the challenge:

• Approximately one in 10 women in the UK are affected by PCOS, with up to 70% of cases believed to be undiagnosed
• Endometriosis impacts one in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK
• Thyroid disorders are common, with women being five to 10 times more likely to be affected than men
• Uterine fibroids may affect an estimated 70-80% of women by the age of 50
• Hormonal imbalances are a significant factor in female infertility cases
• All women will experience menopause, a major hormonal transition

Innovative pain-free testing technology

Daye's new service moves beyond traditional, often uncomfortable, finger-prick tests by utilising a CE-marked upper arm blood collection device, similar to a continuous glucose monitor. This device simplifies collection by adhering to the upper arm, allowing patients to collect a high-quality blood sample in a simple, virtually pain-free process that can be completed at home in minutes. The technology is designed to enhance the quality of self-collected samples by minimising common user errors associated with traditional methods, such as finger pricking.

"We are democratising access to comprehensive hormonal health insights," explains Kalina Mihaylova, Director of Medical Innovation at Daye. "Previously, getting a full hormonal profile required multiple GP visits and long wait times. Now, women can access laboratory-grade testing from the comfort of their living room, using a method designed to be both simple and reliable."

Comprehensive testing and holistic care

"Understanding hormonal health is essential for diagnosing and managing a wide range of gynaecological conditions. The service Daye has delivered is set to meaningfully support hormonal health awareness – a pain-free, clinically robust at-home test that empowers patients to better manage their reproductive health holistically," says Dr. Shazia Malik, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.

Daye offers two distinct panels analysed at UKAS-accredited labs, with results and a clinician's report delivered in 3-5 days:

• Basic Hormone Panel (£129): includes 11 key biomarkers covering: core reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, Oestradiol, Prolactin, Testosterone, SHBG and Free Androgen Index), thyroid function (TSH, FT4) and vital nutrients associated with hormonal health (Vitamin D and Ferritin)
• Advanced Fertility Panel (£189): includes all biomarkers from the Basic Panel plus Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) to provide insight into ovarian reserve

Unlike most hormone tests, Daye also looks at vitamin D and ferritin levels – two often-overlooked nutrients that are essential for reproductive health, energy, immunity, and mood. "In a world where we spend more time indoors and eat foods that are less nutrient-dense, deficiencies are more common than you'd think, especially in the UK," explains Valentina. "And while supplements can be helpful, taking them blindly isn't always safe. That's why we believe in testing first, so your decisions are based on real data – not guesswork."

Beyond testing, Daye provides personalised support based on the results, including:

• Consultations with expert nurses and nutritionists
• Personalised lifestyle and mental health support

Building a landmark gynaecological health database

With an existing anonymised medical database of over 7,800 vaginal microbiome profiles and 3,500 pelvic pain profiles, the addition of hormonal data will further establish Daye's position in building one of the UK's most comprehensive gynaecological health datasets.

"We enable our patients to understand the relationship between their vaginal, menstrual and hormonal health," notes Valentina. "At the same time, the anonymised datasets help us make tangible progress towards bridging the gender care and research gap, so we can finally inform modern science on how to diagnose and treat gynaecological disease. We're creating a dataset that will transform our understanding of women's hormonal health patterns and enable truly personalised medicine for the next generation."

The service is available across the UK, with plans for expansion into the US and Ireland in early 2026.

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