Measuring menstrual blood to test for female diseases – what do you think?

A USA company, Lifestory Health, are testing the idea that menstrual blood could be used for the diagnosis of some female only diseases rather than testing a blood or urine sample.

USA entrepreneur, Anna Villarreal, feels that instead of discarding menstrual blood, it could be collected and used for diagnostic purposes.  Anna recently wrote an article in Ceoworld Magazine where she said her idea is  ‘wildly exciting’ and ‘We could revolutionize clinical research while potentially improving outcomes for women’s health.  I believe that the omission of women as research subjects is putting women’s health at risk and that we need to fuel a conversation that will improve our healthcare and livelihood. It seems incredible that after hundreds of years of research, no one has isolated this approach, but this provides an opportunity to close the sex gap in medical research quickly, effectively, and economically.  Let’s address this, open new opportunities and find the next great breakthrough.  I’m sure Doctors Salk and Fleming would approve.’

Anna feels that menstrual blood has a number of unique proteins that could be a valuable source of health information.  But as far as I am aware, there has been little research on menstrual blood so a lot of work needs to be done to determine what use it will be.

I wonder how we would be expected to collect and transport the menstrual blood?  I suppose it could be collected in a Mooncup.  But then I am not sure which tests could be done on this blood sample that could not be done on a routine blood sample.  And it would take a lot of research to be sure that menstrual blood would give the same results as a routine blood sample as there may well be differences.

LifeStory Health admit that it is early days but they are doing preliminary research and applying for patents.  Villarreal is hoping that the tests will be able to more accurately detect female-centric diseases, at a much earlier stage.

What do you think?  Would you be more comfortable giving your doctor a sample of your menstrual blood?

Image credit – YouTube – collecting menstrual blood.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adX7s1d7Bg8