A New Frontier in Menstrual Health Tech Emerges from a Young Nigerian Innovator

Titilope Olotu is charting an ambitious path from Lagos to Los Angeles. At just nineteen, the UCLA biology student has begun to shape a new conversation around menstrual and reproductive health. In 2024, she launched Period Padi, a nonprofit built to confront period poverty in Nigeria and to bring menstrual care, mental-health support, and academic guidance directly into schools through mobile wellness booths.

Her research stretches into the often-overlooked links between mental health and menstrual cycles. A recent PMDD campaign uncovered troubling patterns, including antibiotic resistance connected to bacterial vaginosis in some communities. This work set the stage for her most striking idea yet.

At the center of her project is a biodegradable menstrual pad made from banana fiber. It is designed as both a hygienic product and a simple diagnostic tool. 

The pad carries reagents that respond to menstrual blood, shifting color in ways linked to iron levels, hormone changes, pH, and early signs of infection. Some prototypes include herbal infusions meant to support people dealing with yeast infections, BV, or complications from female genital mutilation.

Each pad pairs with an AI-powered app. Users scan the color changes, add lifestyle details such as diet, stress, or sleep, and receive personalized health insights. Future plans include telehealth options, cycle tracking, mental-health resources, and community forums.

The project has received $38,000 in grants and is now undergoing preclinical testing, with public rollout projected for 2026. The idea carries wide promise for early detection, sustainable materials, and accessible health education in places where medical diagnostics are hard to reach. Yet the road ahead is complex. Regulatory approval, environmental variability, user participation, privacy safeguards, production costs, and large-scale manufacturing all remain hurdles.

Even so, Olotu’s work is drawing global interest. She is building a Global Fellows Programme to support first-generation students leading new health and wellness efforts. Her innovation points toward a future where menstrual products double as everyday diagnostic tools, quietly expanding how people understand and care for their bodies.

…Rediscovering Nigeria by Nigerians.