Menstrual Blood Shows Promise for HPV Screening and Stem-Cell Therapies
Researchers and startups are exploring menstrual blood as a diagnostic tool for HPV and a source of stem cells for regenerative medicine, despite cultural bias.
A study published in 2022 found that HPV testing using menstrual blood is as reliable as cervical swabs. Scientists say the fluid can also yield stem cells that might aid fertility and tissue-repair research. Start-ups are now developing kits to harness these applications, while confronting longstanding stigma and a lack of interest from male investors.
Why it matters
Validating menstrual blood for diagnostics could simplify HPV screening and expand stem-cell therapies, improving public health and research equity.
In this story
menstrual bloodHPV teststem cellsregenerative medicineinfertility treatmentdiagnostic researchcultural bias
