According to a large-scale study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal), a simple sanitary pad fitted with a specialized cotton strip can detect Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancer cases with remarkable accuracy.
The study, conducted between 2021 and 2025, involved over 3,000 women in China’s Hubei province. Researchers compared menstrual blood samples collected via a “mini-pad” to traditional samples taken by clinicians using brushes and speculums.
The findings showed that the period blood test had a 94.7% sensitivity for detecting high-grade cervical abnormalities, a result that was comparable to, and in some cases slightly higher than, clinical collection.
For many women, the traditional screening process is a significant barrier. This new method allows individuals to collect a sample in the privacy of their own home, simply by wearing a pad for a few hours during their cycle.
Health experts believe this “gentler” approach could be a game-changer for underserved communities. This, they say, offers a choice of methods to reach those who currently avoid screening.
The study authors highlighted that using menstrual blood not only respects a patient’s privacy but also eliminates the physical discomfort of a speculum exam.
Larger and more diverse trials are required to understand how well it works across different populations before it can be integrated into national health programs.
There are also practical limitations to consider. Unlike a vaginal swab or a Pap smear, which can be performed at almost any time, the menstrual test is restricted to the few days a month a person is menstruating.
This excludes postmenopausal women, individuals with irregular cycles, and those using certain types of hormonal birth control that stop periods entirely.
While further research is needed to see how these fits into existing healthcare pathways, the success of the Hubei study suggests that menstrual blood once considered a waste product could become a vital diagnostic tool.
Some researchers even suggest the technique could eventually be used to detect other conditions, such as those requiring endometrial biopsies, further reducing the need for invasive procedures.
