Dr. Helen O’Neill, a leading figure in reproductive health, reflects on her decision to price Hertility’s at-home fertility test at £149. She admits there are moments when she wonders if a higher price might underscore its legitimacy, as she believes that home-based health solutions often face unwarranted skepticism compared to traditional clinical settings. Speaking at London’s AllBright Club, O’Neill, alongside her twin sister Deirdre, highlights their mission to address what she terms a “silent infertility epidemic” among young women.
The Hertility test, a user-friendly finger-prick procedure, provides detailed and personalized information on ovarian reserve, thyroid function, and iron levels. This comprehensive analysis offers equivalent insights to what would be garnered from three private clinic appointments, which could exceed £1,000 in cost. With a remarkable accuracy rate of 99% and results delivered within 10 days, Hertility screens for up to 18 conditions, a significant advancement for an industry where conditions like PCOS and endometriosis can delay diagnosis by years.
To date, nearly 400,000 women have utilized the Hertility assessment. The data collected is building what O’Neill describes as “the mother of all databases” on female reproductive health. This extensive dataset includes over 835,000 variables, examining the effects of lifestyle factors such as vaping, stress, and cosmetic procedures on fertility. A groundbreaking study from Hertility has revealed that vaping impacts fertility, while 63% of women experience stress that contributes to hormonal imbalances and challenges with conception.
O’Neill, who is also a lecturer in reproductive and molecular genetics at UCL, emphasizes the importance of this novel data. “We’re not just compiling textbook data,” she asserts. “We are capturing the realities of modern women—our vices, fears, and reproductive health.” This perspective, she believes, is crucial for understanding and improving women’s health.
O’Neill’s journey began in 2019, when she, then pregnant, was struck by the stark fertility statistics she encountered daily. A pivotal moment came while observing an embryo in an IVF lab, coinciding with her own birth date, which highlighted the urgency and personal connection to her work. This led to the founding of Hertility, a company now recognized as a leader in fem-tech.
With her sister Deirdre serving as co-founder and chief commercial and legal officer, the company has achieved significant milestones, including the largest global dataset on female reproductive health and strategic partnerships with brands like Cult Beauty and Sweaty Betty. The impact of Hertility has been profound, offering women insights that have led to career decisions, early diagnoses, and overall empowerment regarding their health.
The diverse testimonials from users underscore the transformative effect of Hertility’s work, from detecting conditions to enabling informed life choices. Despite the company’s predominantly female team, O’Neill humorously notes their unique status in the industry. Hertility’s efforts continue to drive forward a critical conversation about women’s reproductive health and the tools available to support it.
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