Eli Health Launches “Hormometer” for At-Home Cortisol Tracking

Eli Health, a women-founded health technology startup, has introduced the Hormometer, a new at-home testing tool designed to measure cortisol—the hormone most closely linked to stress. Using a small saliva sample and a smartphone, users can receive cortisol readings in approximately 20 minutes.

Marina Pavlovic Rivas, cofounder and CEO of Eli Health, said the product is intended to make hormone tracking as routine as other health metrics. Speaking with CNET, she explained that the Hormometer brings cortisol monitoring into everyday life, similar to how people now track sleep, heart rate variability, or glucose levels.

The product’s public debut follows more than five years of research and development. Its release comes amid growing awareness of hormone imbalance, which affects a large portion of the adult population. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly half of U.S. women between the ages of 30 and 60 report symptoms linked to hormonal disruption, with stress hormones often playing a role.

Hormones influence numerous bodily systems, including mood regulation, metabolism, physical performance, and aging. Rivas noted that many people experience symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight changes, or emotional shifts without recognizing that hormones may be contributing factors. She said Eli Health aims to reduce barriers to hormone awareness by making testing and long-term tracking more accessible.

Using the Hormometer is designed to be simple. Customers order the test kit through Eli Health’s website, collect a saliva sample at home, and scan the test with their smartphone. Within about 20 minutes, results are displayed through the Eli app, removing the need for blood draws or laboratory visits.

According to Rivas, the AI-powered app analyzes the test using the phone’s camera, translates the results into measurable cortisol values, and adds them to a personalized trend dashboard. The app also provides immediate insights and recommendations based on individual hormone patterns.

Rather than offering a single data point, the Hormometer focuses on tracking cortisol trends over time. When elevated cortisol levels are detected consistently, the app may suggest lifestyle adjustments such as:

• Stress-management practices, including meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation
• Regular physical activity
• Dietary changes that emphasize brain-supportive foods, such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant-rich ingredients

Although the Hormometer is not a wearable device, its launch aligns with the expanding consumer health-monitoring market. Similar to over-the-counter glucose monitors and smartwatches that track sleep and heart rate, cortisol testing can provide added context to existing wellness data. For example, cortisol trends may help explain sleep disruptions or stress indicators flagged by wearable devices.

Eli Health’s development team has spent more than six years building the technology behind the Hormometer, resulting in more than a dozen patent-pending innovations that support at-home hormone testing. Earlier this year, the device was recognized with CES 2025’s Best Innovation Award in Digital Health.

While the Hormometer is FDA-registered under the agency’s General Wellness Policy for cortisol and progesterone testing, it has not yet received full FDA approval for safety and effectiveness. This distinction means the FDA acknowledges the product and its intended wellness use, but it has not undergone the comprehensive evaluation required for medical diagnostic devices.

Currently, the Hormometer focuses on cortisol measurement, but Eli Health plans to expand its hormone testing lineup. Rivas said the company expects to introduce progesterone testing later this year, followed by testosterone testing in early 2026.

The Hormometer is offered through a subscription-based pricing model, with three plan options available. Additional pricing details are listed on Eli Health’s website as the company rolls out its consumer hormone-tracking platform.