Home pregnancy tests have come a long way since they were first introduced in the late 1970s. Early home pregnancy tests looked more like amateur chemistry sets than over-the-counter pharmaceutical products. Today’s pregnancy tests are cheaper, faster and smaller than ever. Soon, you’ll even be able to find flushable pregnancy tests thanks to two former graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania.
Bethany Edwards and Anna Simpson developed their biodegradable and flushable pregnancy test in 2015, and it received the FDA’s seal of approval just a few months ago in December 2017.
The duo’s goal, according to a recent interview with Refinery29, was to eliminate plastic from pregnancy tests, thereby making them more sustainable and environmentally-friendly. Their product’s flushable design can also offer women an extra measure of privacy and discretion when they conduct pregnancy tests at home.
The test is called Lia, and it’s expected to hit pharmacy shelves this year. It’s reportedly safe for most septic systems, and it breaks down by 98 percent after 3 months in soil. It’s also just as accurate as conventional plastic pregnancy tests.
In addition to helping the environment, Edwards and Simpson hope their innovative pregnancy tests can help women around the globe as well. That’s why they’re donating a portion of the proceeds from their pregnancy test sales to women’s health education in the U.S. and abroad. You can also pledge $10, and Lia will donate a pregnancy test to a women’s health organization of your choice.
To learn more about how Lia works, you can visit the company’s website.