How does it work?
The device is a paper-based rapid test (LFA - lateral flow assay), which can be easily fitted to the insert. Menstrual blood comes into contact with the test strip to which specific antibodies bind. If certain biomarkers are present, the test strip is coloured, its hue indicating the amount of the marker.The results can be read with the naked eye, but there is also an experimental smartphone app that can provide a more objective measurement by image analysis . The aim is not to replace laboratory tests, but to provide a primary warning system to encourage further medical investigation.
The three main biomarkers observed were CRP, CEA, and CA-125, a biomarker known in endometriosis circles.
CRP, or C-reactive protein, is a protein that is produced by the liver in response to the body's perception of inflammation. This protein is not specific to a particular disease, but its levels are increased in cases such as infections, tissue damage or chronic inflammation. If someone has high levels of CRP, it indicates that the body is dealing with an internal problem, which could be a bacterial or viral infection, an autoimmune disease or post-operative recovery. Since menstruation can also be associated with a mild inflammatory response, measuring CRP levels in menstrual blood can help to distinguish normal physiological processes from pathological conditions.
CEA, or carcinoembryonic antigen, is another important biomarker that is mainly associated with cancer. This protein is normally present in the body during foetal development but is present in very low levels in adulthood. Elevated levels of CEA may indicate malignant lesions such as colon, rectal, lung, breast or gynaecological cancers such as cervical or ovarian cancer. CEA can therefore be an early warning sign that something abnormal has started in the body and should be investigated further, especially if there is a family history or symptoms to support suspicion.
CA-125 is also a protein that is mainly associated with the female reproductive system, including the ovaries. This biomarker is mainly used to detect ovarian cancer, but not exclusively. Elevated levels may also be seen in benign conditions such as endometriosis. CA-125 levels may also be elevated during menstruation, pregnancy or other gynaecological problems of non-cancerous origin. It is therefore very important to stress that it is not diagnostic in itself, but if elevated levels are measured regularly, this may confirm the medical suspicion of an abnormal process and may warrant further investigation.
These three biomarkers therefore carry important information about the state of the body, particularly in the area of women's health. Testing them in menstrual blood is not only more convenient and painless, but also provides an opportunity for regular self-monitoring, which can contribute to early detection of disease and timely medical intervention.
Where is research and development now?
The performance of the prototype so far is promising, so far it seems to reliably detect biomarkers in menstrual blood .The next step is to conduct large-scale, real-life clinical trials involving around 100 people (please note that 100 people is still not a very large number of items!) The aim is to verify that the test remains accurate and reliable in everyday use and is suitable for laboratory testing .
Why would it be super cool if it worked?
With the MenstruAI device, menstrual blood would officially no longer be "waste" and it has revolutionary potential for women's health monitoring. This technology can help break down taboos around menstruation and promote health equity, especially where other diagnostic options are lacking .
What are the other big advantages?
The importance of a diagnostic tool based on menstrual blood is paramount for several reasons. First and foremost, it is completely non-invasive and comfortable: the user feels virtually nothing as the device acts as a normal pad, so there is no needle pricking, blood sampling or any unpleasant intervention. This is particularly important for women who are afraid of medical tests or who would need frequent check-ups but do not want to go to the laboratory regularly.
It also has the added advantage of being affordable and portable, making it particularly suitable for use in less developed regions of the world where access to healthcare is limited. The technology also allows for an initial screening to be carried out in the home, without the need for a laboratory, and could therefore play an important role in public health, for example in prevention programmes for women.
Last but not least, the device is not intended to replace laboratory tests, but to act as a kind of early warning system. It can help to detect early signs that may warrant a medical examination, thus allowing early detection of diseases, which is often crucial for successful treatment.
Source : https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202505170?af=R
However!!!!
In conclusion, it is important to add that a normal CA-125 level alone does not exclude endometriosis. Although this biomarker can help to confirm the diagnosis, many women, even with severe symptoms, have completely normal values. Yet, to this day, doctors still rule out the possibility of endometriosis simply on the basis of a low CA-125 value. This is not only professionally unacceptable but also deeply unfair from a human point of view. Many patients have been left undiagnosed and untreated simply because a single blood test was 'normal'.
This is why it is important that menstrual blood testing not only brings new technological possibilities, but also a change in attitude: in medicine, we need to look at the whole picture, not just one value. Symptoms, a woman's own experience, pain and quality of life are just as important as the lab result. Because ultimately it is not a number, but a real, flesh and blood person behind the diagnosis.
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