Menstrual blood can be used to diagnose many diseases

Historically, menstrual blood has not been studied in research, considering it only a waste product.

But in fact, menstrual blood has a rich cellular and molecular composition. It contains immune cells, stem cells and endometrial cells, as well as metabolites such as proteins and lipids (fats). This makes menstrual blood truly a treasure of information about a wide variety of health conditions. It can also provide a less invasive way for researchers to access important biological material without the need for surgical biopsies or other techniques.

Given the important composition of menstrual blood, researchers are now exploring the possibility of using it to identify the causes of disease, identify signs of health conditions and develop personalized treatments.

One area where menstrual blood can play an important role is in endometriosis research. In this disease, endometrial tissue (which normally lines the uterus) grows outside the uterus and in other organs such as the intestines and ovaries.

Research into endometriosis is grossly underfunded, despite the fact that 10% of women suffer from the disease. In addition, it is difficult to understand the mechanisms underlying the disease without resorting to invasive procedures. As a result, existing treatments, including surgical removal of foci, hormonal contraceptives, and pain management, do not address the underlying cause and associated complications (e.g., infertility).

However, some researchers have been able to create organoids using endometrial cells from menstrual blood. Organoids are miniaturized, lab-grown 3D models of organs derived from stem cells found in blood. These organoids can mimic what happens in the real endometrium. This gives researchers the ability to study endometrial health in a non-invasive way.

By obtaining organoids from the menstrual blood of patients with endometriosis, researchers can model the disease in the laboratory. This may lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disease.

Endometriosis is also considered an inflammatory disease. This is because people with endometriosis have an over-activated immune system, which exacerbates symptoms. Therefore, the study of the immune system is of great interest in endometriosis research.

Menstrual blood contains live immune cells that have entered the reproductive system. These immune cells provide insight into the inflammation occurring in the uterus.

Menstrual blood is also used to study other reproductive diseases. For example, it has been used to detect immune changes in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss that previously could not be detected by blood from a vein.

Menstrual blood also contains stem cells, making it an important resource for research into a variety of other health conditions, including those involved in critical processes such as cardiovascular function, respiration and nervous system function.

As it turns out, menstrual blood, a fluid that is normally produced monthly, contains stem cells that are also capable of differentiating into various other cell types. This is particularly interesting because menstrual blood is readily available, reconstitutes naturally, and its collection does not require surgery or discomfort. This makes it a convenient and ethical option for stem cell research and potential therapies.

In addition to using stem cells derived from menstrual blood to study diseases of the reproductive system such as endometriosis, there are also a number of studies looking to utilize these cells in other areas. For example, scientists have used them to study methods of wound healing and lowering blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

With regard to diabetes, menstrual blood is also being used in an experimental study to control glycemia. In this study, a pad containing a removable blood test strip is used as an alternative to traditional blood tests.

Other diseases whose diagnosis by menstrual blood shows promising results include cervical cancer, chlamydia, and diseases related to lipid levels, such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.