A smart gadget too far? Controversial tampon uses bluetooth to tell wearer when it needs to be changed

A new startup has come under fire for promising a 'solution to menstruation mortification' with a Bluetooth connected tampon that notifies the wearer when the feminine product is completely saturated and needs to be changed.

Called my.Flow, the smart tampon connects to a period tracking monitor via a six to 12 inch long string, which is then snapped to your waistband or underwear and communicates with an app.

However, the product has been ridiculed by internet users as a gadget too far. 

Scroll down for video 

A startup promises a 'solution to menstruation mortification' with a Bluetooth connected tampon that notifies ladies when the feminine product is completely saturated and needs to be changed. Called my.Flow, it connects to a period tracking monitor via a 6 to 12 in long string, which is then snapped to your

My.Flow aims 'to empower women through insight and to obliterate the period anxiety that plagues virtually 51 percent of the world at some point in our lives'.

But critics argue women know their own cycle - and when to change their tampon. 

In addition to a connected tampon and monitor, the system includes an accompanied app that tracks your period – both granular and monthly, reports Engadget. 

The tracking technology formulates notifications of when it's time to change your tampon.

Users can customize both the timing and text of alerts and the my.Flow app will learn your cycle over time – getting smarter by the month.

To connect your the monitor, the tampon is simply inserted as normal, and a sensor cable placed into the monitor, which clips to your waistband.

The monitor also lights up once it is connected and can start tracking data, but one may ask what if the wearer is constantly moving in and out of Wi-Fi?

my.Flow has designed the monitor to act as a dual product—it transforms into a key chain holder when you're not using it.

After you've finished menstruating, just slide your key chain into the area where you feed in the string.

'When you're not using it, the monitor slides easily under a key chain for easy storage and access when you need to check your flow,' says the firm.

In addition to a connected tampon and monitor, the system includes an accompanied app that tracks your period and stats – both granular and monthly. Users can customize both the timing and text of alerts and the my.Flow app will learn your cycle over time – getting smarter by the month

Although the idea is to save women from humiliation, some feel they don't need a connected device inserted in their lady parts to tell them something they've been doing for years or even decades. And some women are not sold on the idea

Jacob McEntire, the co-founder of my.Flow and lead hardware engineer, told the Guardian translating menstrual flow into data will help propel research in the area by reducing embarrassment, saying: 'It provides a level of abstraction which means people can treat menstruation like any other personal health data.'

The creators of my.Flow didn't just set out to save girls from blood leaking through white pants, the firm also aims to prevent incidents of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

To connect your lady parts to the monitor, simply insert the tampon as normal, feed the six inch to 12 inch string into the monitor and clip it to your waist or if you want to be more discrete, your underwear is the next best place

TSS is caused by a release of poisonous substances, ones that are found in super-absorbent tampons.

Although fatal, it usually only occurs if a tampon has not been removed after hours – experts say a tampon should be removed and changed every four to eight hours.

It was long considered an epidemic of the 80s, but tampon manufactures have since removed certain super-absorbent tampons from the market there have been fewer cases of the illness.

When aunt flow comes to visit the last thing women want is the entire world knowing she stopped by, so a wearable clipped to the pants could raise a few questions. And consumers might be weary about the idea of inserting technology into themselves as the device calls for

The creators of my.Flow didn't just set out to save girls from blood leaking through white pants, the firm also aims to prevent incidents of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Women just seem very skeptical about using a smart tampon, even if it is one less thing they need to worry about 

However, my.Flow says they have conducted research with hundreds of women and more than half said they would buy a product that would prevent leakage and 82 percent are interested in something that prevents Toxic Shock Syndrome.

As of right now, my.Flow is a set to release as a monthly subscription, as you have to buy the special tampons that are linked to an extra-long strong in order to connect to the period monitor.

But not dates have been shared on when women can sign up to receive the complete system. 

'When you're not using it, the monitor slides easily under a key chain for easy storage and access when you need to check your flow,' says the firm. This allows users to carry the monitor everywhere they go, in case they need to track their periods on the run

my.Flow has designed the monitor to act as a dual product—it transforms into a key chain holder when you're not using it. After you've finished menstruating, just slide your key chain into the area where you feed in the string