Researchers are establishing the world's largest biobank of menstrual fluid samples to deepen understanding of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and related conditions like endometriosis.
The study, named CycleTrack, will recruit participants from two established birth cohort studies in south-west England: Children of the 90s and Born in Bradford. Thousands of volunteers will use a specialized app and detailed questionnaires to log symptoms, sleep patterns, mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. Crucially, participants will provide menstrual fluid samples over three cycles using specially designed period pads.
By correlating these samples with existing long-term health information and genetic data from the cohort studies, scientists aim to identify biological signals associated with heavy menstrual bleeding. This research holds the potential for earlier diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and new methods for detecting health risks linked to HMB, including iron deficiency anemia.
Professor Gemma Sharp, an epidemiologist at the University of Exeter specializing in women's health research, is leading the project. She described HMB as excessive menstrual blood loss that significantly impacts a person's physical, social, emotional, and overall quality of life. Symptoms can include bleeding longer than seven days, the need to change protection every one to two hours, passing large blood clots, and signs of iron deficiency such as fatigue and dizziness.
This initiative is part of a broader international effort called The Missed Vital Sign, led by Wellcome Leap, which seeks to substantially reduce the time women wait for effective treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. Professor Sharp stated that CycleTrack's biobank will be the largest of its kind globally, offering insights into the causes of conditions like endometriosis and fibroids, their impact on daily life, and potentially leading to new ways to predict, prevent, and treat these symptoms.