Menstruation: science and society
Critchley HOD, Babayev E, Bulun SE, et al.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2020DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.06.004
In plain language
An expanded report from a 2018 meeting convened by the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, covering how the uterine lining breaks down and repairs each month, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, fibroids and adenomyosis, and the social side of menstrual health. It describes menstrual effluent as an understudied, non-invasive window on the uterus, distinct from peripheral blood and closely aligned with the endometrium.
Key numbers
- 1 in 4
- Women of reproductive age affected by abnormal uterine bleeding
- Up to 400
- Periods in a lifetime today, versus about 40 historically
- Up to 7–10 years
- Reported delay in diagnosing endometriosis
What it means
Leading researchers frame menstrual effluent as a research and diagnostic resource for conditions such as endometriosis and abnormal bleeding. It is a perspective on the field, not a study that tests a diagnostic.
What it does not show
A narrative meeting report, not a systematic review, so it does not weigh the evidence quantitatively. It predates most of the recent menstrual blood diagnostic studies.
How to cite
Critchley HOD, Babayev E, Bulun SE, Clark S, Garcia-Grau I, Gregersen PK, et al. Menstruation: science and society. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2020;223(5):624-664. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.06.004