New e.p.t Preconception Health Test to be available for reducing risk of preterm labor

Today, e.p.t^® − creator of the original home pregnancy test − announced the introduction of the e.p.t™ Preconception Health Test, a revolutionary new product that once again puts women in control of their personal health. The test is the first of three new products that will launch this year under the e.p.t™ Family Planning Solutions brand.

Some vaginal infections have been linked to preterm labor, yet 50% of these infections never show symptoms. According to the March of Dimes^®, having a healthy baby starts well before conception, including taking care of any health conditions that could affect the pregnancy. The e.p.t™ Preconception Health Test measures vaginal acidity and indicates the presence of infections so women can visit their doctor and seek treatment before trying to conceive.

"I see many patients who really want to be proactive in planning their pregnancy and try to do everything they can to ensure their baby is born healthy," said Dr. Allison Hill, OB/GYN and author of The Mommy Docs' Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth. "One of the simplest yet most important things women can do is to check for underlying vaginal infections that may not show symptoms, and now they can do this in the comfort of their own home with the e.p.t Preconception Health Test. It's so simple to use, and it's a great way for women to determine whether or not they need to seek treatment before they begin actively trying to conceive."

The test, which is as accurate as a doctor's test and is clinically proven to be effective, consists of a swab with an easy-to-hold grip and a color-changing tip. Women simply need to insert the swab into the vagina, rotate several times and remove, with results in just 10 seconds. If any part of the tip is stained blue or green, vaginal acidity is abnormal, which can be a sign of an infection, indicating that women should see their healthcare provider. If the color tip remains unchanged, vaginal acidity is normal.

"e.p.t was the first to bring the pregnancy test into the home back in 1977, and now we're once again giving women the power to take control of their personal health with the e.p.t Preconception Health Test," said Jennifer Moyer, vice president of marketing for Insight Pharmaceuticals, parent company of e.p.t. "We believe that women should have the authority to help ensure they have healthy pregnancies, and that's why we're so proud to introduce the Preconception Health Test, as well as the other innovations we're launching this year under the e.p.t Family Planning Solutions brand. Our vision for e.p.t is to be a true partner in pregnancy, and now we're offering solutions for every stage of the journey."

In honor of the launch, e.p.t™ has partnered with the March of Dimes on their imbornto campaign as a Cause Marketing Sponsor. imbornto celebrates the notion that every baby is born to do something great, while raising money for the organization's vital research and programs that improve the lives of babies and families everywhere. Now through June 17, e.p.t will donate $1 to the March of Dimes for each Mother's Day and Father's Day e-card that is sent from eptfamily.com.

"March of Dimes is proud to welcome Insight Pharmaceuticals as a new national imbornto sponsor," says Meri-Margaret Deoudes, vice president of Strategic Alliances, Corporate Relations and Cause Marketing for the March of Dimes. "Through the company's support, we will be able to reach even more women and help educate them about how to have a healthy full-term pregnancy."