From the Research
Yes, menstrual blood can be tested through sanitary pad devices, as evidenced by a study from 2024 1 that found modern menstrual products have the capacity to absorb and potentially test menstrual blood.
Key Points
- Menstrual blood contains valuable cellular material, hormones, and proteins that reflect reproductive and overall health status.
- Sanitary pad devices can be used to collect and test menstrual blood for various health conditions, including cervical cancer, as shown in a study from 2018 2.
- The technology for testing menstrual blood through sanitary pad devices is still emerging and not yet widely available in standard healthcare settings.
- However, studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using menstrual pads as a screening tool for cervical cancer, with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 99% in one study 2.
Evidence
- A study from 1988 3 developed a method for measuring menstrual blood loss using sanitary materials, which could potentially be adapted for testing menstrual blood.
- Another study from 1985 4 found that the proportion of blood in menstrual discharge varied greatly from woman to woman, but the method used in this study could be applied to testing menstrual blood.
- More recent studies, such as the one from 2024 1, have focused on the capacity of modern menstrual products to absorb menstrual blood, which is relevant to the development of sanitary pad devices for testing menstrual blood.
Recommendations
- Sanitary pad devices can be a useful tool for testing menstrual blood, especially in resource-limited settings or for women who prefer a non-invasive method.
- However, more research is needed to fully develop and validate the technology for testing menstrual blood through sanitary pad devices.
- Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for sanitary pad devices to be used for testing menstrual blood and consider this option for patients who may benefit from it.