Menstruation. It’s a reality that 50% of the populous experiences but a topic that doesn’t get a lot of discussion — especially in tech circles.

A new startup is hoping to change the conversation with a smart tampon called my.Flow, intended to help manage and track menstruation needs.

As Engadget points out, my.Flow isn’t so much a smart tampon as it is a Bluetooth sensor that connects to a traditional tampon.

But that sensor is pretty cool. It talks to a smartphone app that lets women know when their tampon is saturated and needs to be changed. (For some, there's nothing more embarrassing than leaking unexpectedly all over your new pants.)

The app can also be used to track when your period starts and stops, as well as what days have the heaviest flow.

The app also has built-in alerts to let you know when you need to change your tampon, regardless of flow. Doctors say that women should only wear a tampon for eight hours or less, in order to avoid toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

My.Flow was founded by Amanda Brief, who came upon the idea during a wearables project at the University of California, Berkeley. Field then went to the Chinese-based hardware accelerator HAX.

The only downside to the project — which is expected to release in 2017 and is seeking funding — is the way it connects. The tampon itself is like a traditional tampon, but it features an extra-long, insulated string. That string then literally connects to a key fob-sized Bluetooth sensor that attaches to your waistband.

Although I appreciate that it would be prohibitively expensive (not to mention, kind of weird) to have actual electronics embedded into a cotton tampon, being required to essentially belt your tampon to your clothes seems like a step backward.

As Engadget points out, self-adhesive maxipads were one of the best inventions of the 20th century. Going back to the Judy Blume-era of sanitary belts (even for a tampon) is something many women would avoid.

IMAGE: MY.FLOW

Moreover, the price of the my.Flow might be an issue. In addition to the sensor, which will reportedly sell for $50, the tampons that work with the sensors will cost a few dollars more than Tampax or Playtex. And you’ll need to use those tampons to get the benefits of the sensor.

Still, I can’t hate on the idea – or the solution – that my.Flow is trying to solve. Menstruation stigma is still a very real thing, especially true in places outside of the Western world.

We have whole industries dedicated to helping men sexually gratify themselves using the latest tech. It’s nice to see a project aimed at women's needs.

Based on the prototype seen by Engadget and The Guardian, I don’t think the first iteration of my.Flow quite solves the problem, but I love the idea of connected tech that makes periods easier to track and leaks less of an issue.

6 cannabis products that claim to ease menstrual pain

Cannabis has yet to be approved by the FDA as medicinal treatment, but within the pro-legalization movement the drug has a reputation for being a successful muscle relaxer and pain manager, amongst other numerous benefits. It's also believed to relieve one of the most common pains women experience: menstrual pain. Queen Victoria allegedly used it during her period to get rid of monthly aches. 

SEE ALSO: Period underwear wants you to bleed on Trump's face

While in most of the U.S., medical marijuana use is still illegal, there are many states that have legalized the ingestion of cannabis for pain relief from serious ailments, and the FDA has approved the use of some cannabis product in very specific, severe cases.

For example, Epidiolex, a drug derived from cannabidiol, was approved for "compassionate use" to treat childhood-onset epilepsy. New Jersey lawmakers recently put forth legislation to make "menstruation cramps" one of those serious ailments. 

Hitching onto the pain relief claims, Whoopi Goldberg and entrepreneurial stoners are creating products designed specifically for menstruation relief. The products have not been FDA-approved.

1. Weed 'Tampons'

IMAGE: FORIA

These are not actually tampons, but suppositories that allegedly help with the pain associated with a period. With 60mg of THC per suppository, the product claims to "maximize the muscle relaxing and pain relieving properties of cannabis without inducing a psychotropic 'high.'"

2. Yummi Karma's 'Mood Magic' 

IMAGE: YUMMIKARMA

These drops are meant to be put into a beverage like tea or water, and the product claims to "kick PMS to the curb" by fighting bloating and cramps. 

3. Edibles from Mountain Medicine

IMAGE: MOUNTAIN MEDICINE

According to High Times, while edibles deliver a smaller amount of THC, they become a more powerful version of the chemical and affect the brain more. The Harmonious Honey Sticks are a favorite of Susannah Grossman, who represents the company. She says half of the honey stick in a cup of chamomile tea does the trick for her PMS.

4. Transdermal patches from Mary's Medicinals 

IMAGE: MARYSMEDICINALS

Users stick the adhesive patch onto their skin and they claim to help ease muscle pain, regardless of the time of the month. They come in 10mg or 20mg, so you can use varying doses depending on how bad your cramps are.

5. Empower oil

Created because of the owner's need for chronic pain relief, this oil is meant to be applied wherever a person is sore and has no psychoactive effects. There are also salts for soaking in a warm bath.   

6. Check out Leafly to find a good strain

IMAGE: LEAFLY

If you live in a place where medical or recreational marijuana is legal, you could always try the old-fashioned method. There are certain strains of cannabis that have a reputation for helping relieve period symptoms. 

Leafly, a website that explains the differences between strains, has a section dedicated to PMS and menstruation relief. There are plenty of varieties in the indica, sativa and hybrid categories that claim to offer pain, inflammation and moodiness relief. This is intended to be used when going to a dispensary and knowing what strain will be the most helpful.