(Published in the UCL IMS Magazine – Edition 1 – December 2025)
The Pad that tests your health.
As stockings hang and festive lights twinkle, it’s easy to forget the most unexpected gift in women’s health: menstrual blood.
While blood tests, drawing serum or systemic blood, have been used for well over a century to gauge patient health and detect disease, the use of MB for the same purpose was never taken seriously until the last decade. Once dismissed as medical waste, it’s now stepping into the spotlight as a powerful diagnostic tool.
The benefits of a serum blood (SB) are many, yet so are the drawbacks. It’s not just children who are afraid of needles (‘trypanophobia’ affects 1 in 10 UK adults) [1], and this fear may prevent them from consenting to a valuable diagnostic test which could save their life.
Also, SB tests require trained medical personnel to perform them, and there is a risk of infection from the open wound, which is especially dangerous in countries with less advanced healthcare systems.
MB is easy and painless to collect with no need for medical personnel and no infection risk. It is also rich in diagnostic biomarkers, and researchers [2] have been assessing the efficacy of MB for diagnostic purposes compared to SB.
Biomarkers detected in both SB and MB [2]:
- High-Density Lipoproteins
- Low-Density Lipoproteins
- Creatinine
- Glucose
- HbA1c (Diabetes biomarker)
However, creatinine, glucose, and LDL showed statistically significant differences [2] in concentration between SB and MB samples from the patient, with glucose readings being notably different. Hence, MB testing may not be the most accurate for all biomarkers; further testing is needed, as the study sample size was small.
Endometriosis:
Endometriosis is a painful condition which is estimated to affect around 10% of women worldwide [3]. Tissue very like the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus, which is shed each month during menstruation) grows in other areas of the body, such as the ovaries and pelvis [4]. This may lead to blockages in the reproductive system and infertility, not only physically but also emotionally painful, especially in cultures where much of a woman’s worth is in her fertility.
Current methods of endometriosis diagnosis are both invasive, painful and time-consuming, with a single, quick test urgently needed to reduce waiting times and patient suffering. The current ‘gold-standard’ is a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a ‘Laparoscopy’ [5] – a surgical incision into the pelvis or abdomen to look inside with a camera [6]. While considered minor surgery, it nevertheless carries a risk of infection [7] and can be frightening for patients. Furthermore, many endometriosis patients have reported waiting years for this diagnosis [8], as their symptoms are frequently dismissed as ‘just normal menstrual pain’.
MB testing for Endometriosis may be a valuable alternative to laparoscopy, making testing faster and more equitable [8], given its lower costs and reduced pain.
There’s currently no cure for Endometriosis [9], only management options like NSAIDs, hormonal therapies, or surgery, which often come with severe side effects [10].
Current studies have found that endometriosis patients exhibit differences in MB leukocyte counts compared to non-sufferers, including reduced Natural Killer (NK) cell populations [11]. NK cells kill abnormal or misplaced cells [12]; hence, a reduction in NK cell levels will increase the body’s tolerance to endometriosis growths.
Furthermore, researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that MB testing was 5x more sensitive to a protein called ‘HMGB1’ [13] than many other current methods of detection.
HMGB1 is released upon the death of many cells, including endometrial cells, and promotes inflammation at the site of damage. It has also been shown to help endometrial lesions survive outside the uterus. Hence, the elevated HMGB1 levels in MB may serve as a biomarker of Endometriosis. [13]
HPV:
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is another condition which may be diagnosed using MB samples in the future. HPV is not a single disease but a group of viruses [14] that are classified as ‘high-risk’ and ‘low-risk’ [15]. Some are relatively benign, whereas others are considered precancerous and can develop into Cervical Cancer [15].
Tsang, Cheung et al [16] studied the use of MB to detect Genital Tract Infections (GTI) and HPV infections, using PCR to amplify DNA and NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) to ‘read’ DNA for HPV strains. Then, HPV genotyping is used [16] to confirm the HPV type. The results from this will inform healthcare professionals which patients may need further testing or treatment. Regular tests can also track whether a HPV infection persists over time or is cleared naturally by the immune system. A persistent infection is likely to develop into Cervical cancer [16].
The current method of HPV diagnosis is the ‘Pap smear’. Only 1 in 3 women eligible for the procedure attend in England [17][18], meaning many women miss the chance to catch the condition early, reducing the chance of successful treatment.
‘Papcup’ is a device in development which would enable patients to test their MB for HPV without the need for a Pap smear [17]. Imagine swapping an awkward and often painful clinic visit for a self-test you can do in the comfort of your home, perhaps even while sipping on a festive hot chocolate. Allowing patients to self-test would reduce NHS workload and increase the number of patients screened [17]. There is also a 15-minute waiting time for results [17][19] instead of weeks, which will significantly reduce patient anxiety. Finally, those with a positive result could then report to the NHS for further testing and treatment.
Visitors you actually want to see! The Vaginal Microbiome:
MB testing can also provide info about the vaginal microbiome, whose composition may hold the key to HPV persistence due to the effects of microbiota on the vaginal environment.
Tsang, Cheung et al [16] tested the MB of patients with ‘Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia’ (CIN), a precancerous precursor to Cervical Cancer, usually caused by HPV infection. They found depleted levels of the ‘Lactobacillus’ bacterium, which acts like a microscopic Santa, delivering protective compounds such as Hydrogen Peroxide [20] and keeping hostile pathogens on the naughty list.
Hence, Lactobacillus dysbiosis is associated with a reduction in the immune defence of the vagina [16] making it increasingly likely that HPV infections will persist and progress to Cervical Cancer. However, this study included only 6 participants, so these findings need to be corroborated in a larger study.
What I want for Christmas:
From reading these studies, it is clear that a device which tests for a variety of diagnostic biomarkers would be incredibly useful to patients and healthcare professionals alike. One such device in the making is the Q-Pad [21]. Developed by the Qvin company, the Q-Pad is a pad with a removable strip that can be posted for lab analysis [21], with the results being sent to the patient via the Qvin app. The Q-Pad is a stocking stuffer that will actually be used; a pad with powers that quietly collects the gift of health insights with every cycle.
The Q-Pad can test for biomarkers of [22]:
- Diabetes
- Endometriosis
- Uterine Fibroids
- STIs
- HPV infection
The Final Breakdown:
Overall, while research is still in its early stages, MB as a diagnostic tool shows great promise. Its pain-free collection method and the potential for more equitable access to screening, and the possibility of increasing screening rates among women for life-changing conditions, cannot be ignored. Further research with much larger sample sizes is needed to confirm the findings, as well as data collected from diverse social and ethnic groups.
As we step into a season of giving, what better gift than empowering women with tools that allow them to better understand their own bodies, pain-free, accessible, and full of potential. Here’s to a future where every period could be a step closer to early diagnosis, equity, and good health.
References:
[1] www.keepingwellnwl.nhs.uk. (2024). Needle phobia :: Keeping Well. [online] Available at: https://www.keepingwellnwl.nhs.uk/self-help-resources/common-problems/needle-phobia.
[2] Blumenthal, P. (2016). Comparative Assessment of Serum versus Menstrual Blood for Diagnostic Purposes: A Pilot Study. [online] Sciforschenonline.org. Available at: https://sciforschenonline.org/journals/clinical-laboratory-medicine/JCLM130.php
[3] Endometriosis UK (2020). Endometriosis Facts and Figures | Endometriosis UK. [online] Endometriosis-uk.org. Available at: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-facts-and-figures.
[4] Mayo Clinic (2024). Endometriosis. [online] Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656.
[5] Feng Y, He Y. The secrets of menstrual blood: emerging frontiers from diagnostic tools to stem cell therapies. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2025 Aug 20;13:1623959. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2025.1623959. PMID: 40909174; PMCID: PMC12405216.
[6] WebMD (2017). What Is Laparoscopic Surgery? [online] WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/laparoscopic-surgery.
[7] RCOG. (n.d.). Laparoscopy – recovering well. [online] Available at: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/laparoscopy-recovering-well/.
[8] Griffith, G. (2025). The Promising Science of Menstrual Blood. [online] The Persistent. Available at: https://www.thepersistent.com/menstrual-blood-diagnosis-endometriosis-cancer-diabetes-pap-smears/
[9] dschwab (2025). Endometriosis Can Be Difficult to Diagnose: Here’s Why and How to Talk With Your Doctor. [online] Mount Sinai Today. Available at: https://health.mountsinai.org/blog/endometriosis-can-be-difficult-to-diagnose-heres-why-and-how-to-talk-with-your-doctor/.
[10] Hailes, J. (n.d.). Management & treatment. [online] Jean Hailes. Available at: https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/endometriosis/management-treatment.
[11] Drug Discovery News. (n.d.). Menstrual blood holds the key to better diagnostics. [online] Available at: https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/menstrual-blood-holds-the-key-to-better-diagnostics-15454.
[12] Jiang, W., Xu, W. and Chen, F. (2025). Dysfunction of natural killer cells promotes immune escape and disease progression in endometriosis. Frontiers in Immunology, 16. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1657605.
[13] News Medical (2025). News-Medical. [online] News-Medical. Available at: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250722/New-menstrual-blood-test-detects-endometriosis-with-five-times-greater-sensitivity.aspx.
[14] World Health Organization (2024). Human papillomavirus and cancer. [online] World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer.
[15] Mclee, D. (2024). Differences Between High-Risk and Low-Risk HPV Strains. [online] NFH CLINIC | The Nexus of Health and Fitness. Available at: https://newfasthealth.com/differences-between-high-risk-and-low-risk-hpv-strains/.
[16] Tsang, H.-F., Cheung, Y.-S., Chi-Shing Allen Yu, Chung-Sum Sammy Chan, Chi-Bun Thomas Wong, Kay-Yuen Aldrin Yim, Pei, X. and Sze-Chuen Cesar Wong (2024). Menstrual Blood as a Diagnostic Specimen for Human Papillomavirus Genotyping and Genital Tract Infection Using Next-Generation Sequencing as a Novel Diagnostic Tool. Diagnostics, 14(7), pp.686–686. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14070686.
[17] Sadaf Shafaghmotlagh (2024). Papcup: Could this at-home HPV test make cervical screening easier? – Cancer Research UK – Cancer News. [online] Cancer Research UK – Cancer News. Available at: https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2024/09/04/papcup-at-home-hpv-test-to-make-cervical-screening-smear-test-easier/.
[18] Measures, C. (2025). Cervical Smear. Clear: Experts urge women to overcome cervical screening fears as nearly 1 in 3 miss vital tests. [online] Higgsllp.co.uk. Available at: https://www.higgsllp.co.uk/articles/cervical-smear-clear-experts-urge-women-to-overcome-cervical-screening-fears-as-nearly-1-in-3-miss-vital-tests.
[19] MacAulay, J. (2024). ‘I’ve invented an alternative to uncomfortable smear tests’. BBC News. [online] 27 Jun. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckkkgvl59x3o.
[20] Biology Insights. (2025). Lactobacillus: Detection and Role in Vaginal Microbiota. [online] Available at: https://biologyinsights.com/lactobacillus-detection-and-role-in-vaginal-microbiota/
[21] Qvin (n.d.). QvinTM Introduces Q-PadTM: Transforming Women’s Health with FDA-Cleared Lab Testing using Menstrual Blood. [online] www.prnewswire.com. Available at: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qvin-introduces-q-pad-transforming-womens-health-with-fda-cleared-lab-testing-using-menstrual-blood-302027835.html.
[22] Qvin. (n.d.). Qvin – Empowering women. Period. [online] Available at: https://qvin.com/.
