INFLO
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Information from Menstrual Fluid
IRAS ID
328380
Contact name
Jacqueline Maybin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Up to 1 in 3 women will experience heavy periods, many enduring years of symptoms before seeking help. Heavy periods can lead to poor mental, social and physical health and reduced quality of life. Social taboos means women struggle with what constitutes ‘normal’ menstrual bleeding. This study aims to address the following questions: Can self-taken samples such as menstrual fluid, vaginal swabs and stool samples (1) help confirm the presence of heavy periods and (2) help identify the underlying cause of heavy periods?
Biopsies of the womb lining show differences in levels of inflammation, blood clotting and low oxygen (hypoxia) markers. Menstrual fluid is shed at the time of a period and it is proposed that differences in these factors will also be detectable in fluid samples. This may identify factors linked to heavy periods. The role of lower reproductive tract and gut microbiome on menstrual blood loss remains undefined. It is also known that structural changes in the womb such as fibroids and adenomyosis can cause heavy bleeding. There may be differences in menstrual fluid samples from women with these conditions.
Participants in this study will provide menstrual blood loss collections, to allow objective quantification of blood loss, and a sample of menstrual fluid. There will be the option of providing a womb lining biopsy and blood tests will check haemoglobin levels and confirm the stage of menstrual cycle. In addition, vaginal swabs and stool swabs before and after a period will help to examine how reproductive tract and gut microbiome impact periods.
A reliable method to confirm heavy periods would empower women to seek early help. A non-invasive method of predicting the underlying cause would allow streamlined diagnosis and recommendations for treatment to be more specific and effective. This would facilitate an improved patient journey by ensuring more specific, effective and acceptable management of heavy periods.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
23/WS/0125
Date of REC Opinion
13 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion