The Promise of Period Blood: A New Frontier in Women’s Health Diagnostics

For centuries, menstrual blood was largely dismissed as a biological byproduct. Now, a growing field of research suggests it’s a remarkably rich source of diagnostic information, offering potential breakthroughs in the detection and treatment of conditions ranging from endometriosis to diabetes and even cancer. Innovative biotech companies are leading the charge, analyzing this often-overlooked fluid to unlock secrets about women’s health.

A Unique Biological Specimen

While urine, feces, and venous blood have long been staples of medical testing, menstrual blood has historically received little clinical attention. This is beginning to change as scientists recognize its unique composition. Menstrual blood is a complex fluid, comprised of roughly half blood and half endometrial tissue, proteins, hormones, bacteria, and cells shed from the reproductive organs – the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

“You get access to cell types and other molecular characteristics that aren’t possible with whole blood, saliva, or other types of samples,” explains Ridhi Tariyal, cofounder and chief executive of NextGen Jane. “It’s basically a natural biopsy that provides information about the reproductive organs.”¹

Unlocking the Secrets of Endometriosis

Endometriosis, a chronic and debilitating condition affecting approximately 190 million women worldwide – roughly one in ten women of reproductive age – often goes undiagnosed for years.¹ Currently, diagnosis requires a laparoscopy, a surgical procedure involving a modest camera inserted into the pelvic cavity. Startups like NextGen Jane are working to develop faster, cheaper, and less invasive diagnostic tests using menstrual blood analysis.

NextGen Jane has analyzed over 2,000 menstrual samples from more than 330 women since 2014, searching for biomarkers of endometriosis.² Researchers are focusing on identifying differences in uterine natural killer cells and stromal fibroblasts in women with endometriosis. Preliminary findings suggest women with endometriosis have fewer uterine natural killer cells, which are crucial for early pregnancy, and that fibroblasts exhibit more inflammatory markers.²

NextGen Jane received a $2.2 million grant in May 2025 to fund clinical validation of a menstrual test for endometriosis in patients with infertility.² They are currently extracting and sequencing messenger RNA (mRNA) from menstrual blood to identify specific biomarkers.

Beyond Reproductive Health: A Wider Diagnostic Potential

The potential of menstrual blood diagnostics extends far beyond endometriosis. Researchers are exploring its use in detecting a range of conditions, including:

• Endometrial Cancer: Analyzing biomarkers in menstrual blood could aid in early detection.
• Adenomyosis: Identifying markers related to the growth of uterine lining into the uterine wall.
• Endometritis: Detecting inflammation of the endometrial lining.
• Diabetes: Studies have shown that blood sugar levels measured in menstrual blood correlate with levels throughout the body.²
• Vitamin D Deficiency: Potential for assessing vitamin D levels.
• Exposure to Environmental Toxins: Detecting phenols, parabens, phthalates, and other contaminants.²
• Immune Diseases: Exploring links to conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Innovative Companies Leading the Way

Several companies are at the forefront of this emerging field:

• NextGen Jane: Focused on endometriosis diagnostics and exploring links between uterine health and aging.
• Qvin: Developed the Q-Pad, the first FDA-approved health test to measure menstrual blood glucose.² They are similarly investigating the detection of HPV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
• theblood: Validating a test kit for endometriosis, early menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and fertility problems.

Addressing the Stigma and Funding Gap

Despite the promising research, significant challenges remain. Historical stigmas surrounding menstruation and a lack of funding for women’s health research have hindered progress. “We have all been taught that it is a taboo subject that should not even be talked about,” notes Christine Metz, a reproductive biologist at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research.² Globally, women’s health research accounted for only 5% of global research and development funding in 2020.²

The Future of Menstrual Blood Research

The field is gaining momentum, with increased investment and the establishment of menstrual blood biobanks to facilitate research. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) launched a $10 million initiative in July 2025 to deepen our understanding of the impact of menstrual cycles on immunology.²

As research progresses, menstrual blood holds the potential to revolutionize women’s health diagnostics, offering earlier, more accurate, and less invasive methods for detecting and managing a wide range of conditions. For women like Emma Backlund, who endured years of suffering before receiving an endometriosis diagnosis, this research offers hope for a future where timely and accurate diagnoses are the norm.