The potential of menstrual blood to improve women’s health | Karli Büchling | TED & TEDxBrighton

TL;DR

Menstrual blood contains valuable stem cells and proteins that could revolutionize women's healthcare research.

Transcript

I wanted to be a doctor but I faint at the sight of blood ironic because today I'm here to talk about well blood specifically the kind that 15 million people in the UK are quietly disposing of every single month the kind we've been taught to hide to be ashamed of and to treat us waste but what if I tell you that it's one of the most powerful Tools ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😷 Menstrual blood is an undervalued resource that contains essential proteins and stem cells crucial for medical research.
• 👂 There is an urgent need to address the disparity in gynecological healthcare, with 630,000 people currently on NHS waiting lists.
• 🤦‍♀️ Over 1.6 billion individuals globally face women’s health challenges like endometriosis and PCOS, emphasizing the need for better research solutions.
• 👩‍⚕️ Current medical practices often overlook menstrual blood, despite its potential to provide insights into women's health and disease prevention.
• 💁 The menstrual cycle offers a natural sample that could replace invasive tests, providing valuable biological information in a less invasive manner.
• 👨‍🔬 Only 400 studies have been conducted on menstrual blood, compared to over 15,000 on sperm, revealing a stark imbalance in research focus.
• 👩‍⚕️ Educating society on the significance of menstrual blood could foster a more respectful approach to women's health and the natural processes of their bodies.

Questions & Answers

Q: What unique properties does menstrual blood contain that make it valuable for medical research?

Menstrual blood is rich in over 800 unique proteins and stem cells, especially those akin to bone marrow stem cells, which hold transformative potential for treating conditions like leukemia and potentially others like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Its comprehensive biological information provides insights that could surpass typical samples used in research.

Q: How has societal perception affected the research and treatment of women's health issues?

Societal stigma surrounding menstruation leads to the dismissal of menstrual blood as waste rather than a valuable resource. This perception has contributed to a lack of focus and funding in women's health research, resulting in a significant knowledge gap and insufficient treatment options for prevalent conditions impacting many women.

Q: What is the potential impact of a menstrual blood biobank on women's health?

A menstrual blood biobank could provide a revolutionary method for women to contribute to research from home, facilitating groundbreaking studies without invasive procedures. This initiative could lead to earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments for conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), significantly improving women's health outcomes.

Q: Why is there a significant gap in medical research between male and female physiology?

Historically, women were largely excluded from clinical trials until 1993, leading to a 450% gap in research specifically focused on female physiology. This exclusion means that many health conditions affecting women have not been studied adequately, resulting in a healthcare system unprepared to address their unique needs effectively.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Menstrual blood has significant scientific potential, containing over 800 unique proteins and powerful stem cells similar to those found in bone marrow, which could help treat various diseases.

• A staggering gap exists in research focused on women's health, as clinical trials have historically excluded female participants, resulting in a significant lack of studies on conditions affecting women.

• Proposing a menstrual blood biobank could allow women to collect and contribute their menstrual blood for health research, reshaping how we approach and treat gynecological conditions with greater respect and efficiency.