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Part 2: Menstrual Blood Might Just Be the Most Valuable Thing in Science
Period blood has long been considered disgusting, but research shows it might just change the future of science
Welcome to Part Two of this article. In Part One, we discussed some long-held taboos about the human menstrual cycle, including a few particularly wild early religious, philosophical, and scientific beliefs. I also explained how these taboos are so deeply ingrained in our culture that modern researchers receive pushback when trying to study period blood.
Fortunately, some scientists persevered, so Part Two discusses what they’ve discovered. Because it turns out that period blood contains a treasure trove of information about a menstruating person’s health and has some of the most valuable cells in science, which can teach experts more about mysterious reproductive conditions like endometriosis.
Quick Recap of the Menstrual Cycle
This section is for anyone who missed Part One or wants a refresher on how a menstrual cycle typically works. If you already know, feel free to skip to the next section.
Seven to ten days after the ovaries release an egg, the hormone progesterone tells the uterus to prepare for a possible…
