whelm
Whelm is an at-home urine analysis test paired with an app that provides insights into reproductive hormones and actionable nutritional guidance. Whelm empowers women to confidently navigate menopause with greater autonomy.
Duration
Sep 2023 – May 2024
Info
Capstone Team Project with
Jacqueline Aquino
Jessica Lin
Sanchi Jain
My Role
UX Research, Industrial Design, Packaging Design, Branding Assets
Background
“As a life stage we will all go through, we know so little about menopause.”
As a team of women, we are eager to explore the broader question: ‘What does it mean to be a woman?’ and how our identities change during life’s major transitions. Menopause, in particular, caught our attention because it’s a phase we know so little about. We want to understand the physical and emotional journey women experience during this transition and how we can provide meaningful support.
Challenge
“My body changes every day. I go though waves. I want to understand my ups & downs better. I want to know how to take care of myself.”
Menopause is a natural process caused by reproductive hormone changes, signaling the end of a woman’s reproductive years. However, for too long, it has been clouded in a black box of misconceptions and stereotypes, leaving women to silently suffer a labyrinth of 34+ physical, mental, and emotional symptoms rooted in hormonal fluctuations.
Tracking reproductive hormone patterns can help women understand symptom, anticipating changes, and make informed health decisions.
But the barriers are…
Solution
Whelm empowers women to connect the dots by discovering patterns for clarity, taking action to reclaim autonomy, and reflecting to redefine their journey.
A video demonstrating how whelm is integrated into a user’s morning routine.
Integrated & hassle-free Design
Our design reimagines the urine testing experience by minimizing hassle. We streamline the process with preloaded test strips, a fully disposable pack, and clear visual indicators at each touch point.
Mess-free at-home urine hormone testing experience
Our design eliminates mess and enhances the accuracy of at-home urine tests with an ergonomic funnel. Users can easily follow the pre-scored folding lines to form the test pack into a funnel with a splash guard with one hand. This structure ensures effortless alignment with the body, guiding urine to the target area during midstream collection.
streamlined developing & reading setup
To streamline the test result development and reading process, we’ve integrated app-based scanning using a phone camera and designed a tray with a clip to hold the unfolded test pack flat, ensuring clean and accurate readings.
A step-by-step guide on how to use the test pack for an accurate reading.
bridge the gap between understanding hormone data and taking action
Using collected hormone data along with inputs like symptom logs, goals, and lifestyle habits, the app summarizes trends, offers actionable lifestyle recommendations, and provides content for learning, exploration, and support.
Some users were worried about whether they were aiming correctly when using the funnel, especially since it feels so comfortable that it might not seem like they are urinating into it. To help with this, we want to show users visually that the funnel works well even when they are in a natural position, building their trust in getting an accurate reading.
“Swagger is a thing! I used to be so fun. I used to be the one dancing on the table in the party.”
“This is life. You can either question why me or fight it. You can take the information to feel sorry or use it as power.”
Our branding is inspired by the women we encountered during the development of Whelm, who shared their vulnerabilities and confusion while also showcasing their resilience, strength, and vibrancy. They expressed a desire to navigate this transition differently than previous generations.
Society often portrays menopause as something to fear — an end to youth and vitality — despite women spending around 40 percent of their lives in and after this transition.
Whelm is committed to challenging stigma and changing the narrative surrounding menopause, empowering women to embrace this phase, reclaim their autonomy, and confidently explore their evolving identities.
Process
Building a community to hear their true voices
We utilized user-centric research methods, including in-depth interviews, group workshops, card-sorting, and experience prototyping, to delve into women’s personal stories, uncover the reasons behind their choices, and understand their desires and fears regarding menopause.
Current product analysis
We purchased six of the most popular reproductive hormone test products and had women around menopause age test them to evaluate the experience. We also tried some ourselves to gain first-hand insight.
Form exploration & ergonomic testing
The design criteria are: usable in a natural sitting position, splash-resistant with easy alignment, minimal operation steps, adaptable to various flow rates, and a sleek appearance.
Full experience testing
People found our funnel design to be natural, simple, and intuitive. However, some feedback highlighted the inconvenience of where to place the funnel after use. To address this, we incorporated a tray in the next prototype and tested the full experience—from folding the funnel to scanning the test results. With the addition of a user-friendly manual and reading tray, users were able to consistently achieve accurate results.
Material exploration & hormone reading accuracy testing
Material selection considerations include chemical inertness, recyclability, sterility, flexibility with structural integrity, leak resistance, waterproofing/non-porous properties, and not impede on capillary action. The final three funnel material options we chose are:
- Paperboard with waterproof coating: Classic disposable urinal material, eco-friendly, and sturdy
- YUPO paper (Polypropylene): Waterproof, chemically inert, durable, printable, and recyclable
- Coated/Recycled papers: Environmentally friendly, customizable, and high print quality
We covered the test strips with a clear film to protect the reading area from urine exposure while ensuring it remains readable during scanning. Various covering materials and adhesive methods were tested to optimize accuracy.
