The Gateway

𝗔𝗹𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴

Alzheimer's disease is a problem that affects a lot of people all over the world. It is characterized by memory less and is known to get worse over time. It includes problems with thinking and changes in behavior. This disease happens when abnormal proteins build up in the brain, which is bad for brain cells. With all the advances in medicine, there is still no available cure for the disease, resulting in more scientists looking really hard for new and innovative ways to treat it.

One area of research that is new and a little unconventional is the use of blood. For a time people thought menstrual blood was just a waste product, but now it is being studied to see if it can be used to help diagnose and treat diseases, including the incurable Alzheimer's disease.

𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
A special combination of blood, endometrial tissue, cervical mucus, and vaginal fluids makes up menstrual blood. Live endometrial and immune cells, proteins, nucleic acids, and even vaginal microorganisms like Lactobacillus species are all found in menstrual blood. An estimated amount of 300 different proteins are found in menstrual blood that are absent from peripheral blood. It also has cells called menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs), a type of adult stem cell that can help repair damaged tissues. These cells are special to medicine because they are easy to collect, can change quickly, and are less likely to cause problems with the immune system. Menstrual blood also has different biomarkers and proteins that can provide information about a person's overall health. It can be used to detect diseases such as diabetes, cervical cancer and infections which makes it a valuable tool for diagnosis.

𝗔𝗹𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
When protein fragments build up in the brain and disrupt the way neurons communicate with each other, this disease occurs. It causes the brain cells to die and the brain to shrink in size. The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease start with memory loss but they can get much worse over time affecting an individual's movements, independence, and person’s daily life overall.

The treatments for Alzheimer's that are available currently can only help manage the symptoms or slow down the progression of the disease. That is why scientists are looking for therapies that can repair or protect brain cells rather than just treating the symptoms.

𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
MenSCs are being studied to see if they can repair damaged tissues and reduce inflammation which are two important factors in Alzheimer's disease. Some studies have shown that these cells may be able to reduce the build up of proteins, protect neurons from damage, and improve cognitive function. This is because the cells release factors that help brain cells survive and regenerate.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀
Similar to stem cells taken from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood, stem cells from menstrual blood have shown promising effects in the study of Zhao et al. (2018) on Alzheimer’s disease. When these cells were placed into the brains of mice with Alzheimer’s, they helped reduce harmful substances that damage brain cells. These stem cells work in several ways. They help control a protein called tau, which can become abnormal and damage brain cells when it builds up too much. They also help the brain produce substances that break down another harmful protein called amyloid-beta. The stem cells reduce inflammation in the brain, which helps protect brain cells from further damage. Recent studies show that these stem cells can help reduce the harmful effects of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain. They do this by helping break down toxic protein build up and by preventing another protein from becoming abnormal and damaging brain cells. Because of these abilities, mesenchymal stem cells may play an important role in future treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱
Using blood has several advantages over other sources of stem cells. For one, it does not require surgery, which makes it an appealing option for many people. It also avoids the controversy surrounding stem cells. Additionally, menstrual blood is readily available for people who menstruate and it is easier to collect and process. These features make menstrual blood a promising and practical resource for therapies.

𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Most of the studies that have been done by scientists have been in laboratories or animal models and there is a clear need for more clinical trials. There is also a need for methods of collecting and testing menstrual blood as well as long-term studies to make sure it is safe and effective for use. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma surrounding menstruation that can make it hard to talk and study about it.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
The idea of using blood in medical science is a surprisingly new and innovative approach to healthcare. The fact that it has stem cells and other valuable components makes it a promising resource for treating complex diseases like Alzheimer's disease. While there is still a lot of research to be done, menstrual blood may one day play a role in diagnosing and treating diseases. This new field of research is not advancing medical science but it is also changing the way people think about menstrual health. Menstrual blood is no longer something that is thrown away but it is now seen as a valuable resource that can help patients. This is a change in the way people think about something that was once considered disgusting.

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
Ansah, E. (2025). Menstruation & Memory: Can menstrual blood help treat Alzheimer’s Disease? Black Women in Science Network. https://www.bwisnetwork.co.uk/post/menstruation-memory

Mayo Clinic (2026). Alzheimer's disease. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447

Zaheer, A., Komel, A., Bakr, M. B. A., Singh, A. K., Saji, A. S., Kharal, M. M., Ahsan, A., Khan, M. H., & Akbar, A. (2024). Potential for and challenges of menstrual blood as a non-invasive diagnostic specimen: current status and future directions. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 86(8), 4591–4600. https://doi.org/10.1097/ms9.0000000000002261

Zhao, Y., Chen, X., Wu, Y., Wang, Y., Li, Y., & Xiang, C. (2018). Transplantation of Human Menstrual Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviates Alzheimer's Disease-Like Pathology in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice. Frontiers in molecular neuroscience, 11, 140. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2018.00140

SCITECH | Riezzyl Ortis
ILLUSTRATION | Christine Camanian