NextGen Jane: Innovative Menstrual Health Research

Menstrual health research has long been underfunded, leaving gaps in understanding conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). NextGen Jane aims to change this by using menstrual fluid as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for reproductive health. By analyzing biomarkers in menstrual blood, researchers can detect diseases early.

Menstrual Fluid Components

Menstrual fluid is a complex mixture of blood, endometrial tissue, cervical mucus, and vaginal secretions. Unlike venous blood, menstrual effluent contains exfoliated endometrial cells, offering insights into conditions such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. It also includes proteins, lipids, and metabolites that reflect hormonal fluctuations and inflammatory processes.

Unlike peripheral blood, menstrual fluid remains in a liquid state due to fibrinolytic enzymes like plasmin, which prevent clotting. This property facilitates endometrial shedding and provides a distinct profile of cytokines and growth factors involved in tissue remodeling.

Hormonal byproducts in menstrual fluid offer insights into ovarian function and endocrine balance. Estrogen and progesterone metabolites can indicate hormonal imbalances linked to PCOS and luteal phase defects. Additionally, extracellular vesicles—membrane-bound particles carrying microRNAs and proteins—may serve as biomarkers for gynecological disorders, aiding early disease detection.

NextGen Jane Collection Techniques

Collecting menstrual fluid for diagnostics requires practical methods that preserve biological integrity. NextGen Jane has developed a tampon-based collection system that integrates seamlessly into daily routines while maintaining sample stability. Unlike blood draws, which require clinical settings, this self-administered method reduces barriers to participation in reproductive health research.

After absorption, the tampon is sealed in a transport device that preserves nucleic acids and proteins. Stabilization buffers prevent enzymatic degradation, ensuring high-quality DNA, RNA, and protein markers for analysis.

This method captures a more representative sample of endometrial shedding over several hours, unlike single-time-point blood draws that may miss biomarker fluctuations. The system also ensures proper biospecimen handling, preventing contamination or degradation during transit.

Molecular And Genomic Analyses

Analyzing menstrual fluid at the molecular and genomic level provides a detailed view of reproductive health. Extracted nucleic acids allow researchers to examine gene expression patterns linked to gynecological conditions. RNA sequencing identifies differentially expressed genes associated with disorders like endometriosis and fibroids, offering insight into disease mechanisms.

Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, reflect chronic inflammation or hormonal imbalances. For example, altered methylation of estrogen-signaling genes has been linked to PCOS. Detecting these changes through menstrual samples enables early diagnosis and personalized treatment.

Proteomic analyses identify disease-specific protein biomarkers. Mass spectrometry detects variations in protein abundance, such as elevated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) associated with endometriosis and abnormal bleeding. Integrating genomic and proteomic data enhances diagnostic accuracy and improves patient outcomes.

Microbiome Investigations

The menstrual fluid microbiome provides a broader perspective on reproductive health than the vaginal microbiome. While the vaginal microbiota is dominated by Lactobacillus species, menstrual effluent contains microbes from the endometrium, cervix, and vaginal canal, offering insights into microbial imbalances linked to gynecological conditions.

Advancements in sequencing technologies have revealed that the endometrial microbiome is not sterile, as once believed. Studies have identified bacteria like Gardnerella, Atopobium, and Streptococcus in menstrual fluid, some of which are associated with endometriosis and infertility. Assessing these microbial populations through menstrual fluid sampling offers a less invasive alternative to endometrial biopsies.

Comparisons To Traditional Testing

Traditional diagnostic methods for reproductive health conditions rely on imaging, blood tests, and invasive procedures like biopsies or laparoscopic surgery. While effective, these approaches can be costly, uncomfortable, and limited in capturing localized uterine changes. Blood tests measure systemic hormone levels but may not reflect conditions within the uterus. Imaging techniques identify structural abnormalities but lack molecular insights. Diagnosing endometriosis often requires laparoscopic surgery, leading to delayed detection.

Menstrual fluid analysis provides a non-invasive alternative, offering localized molecular data that blood tests cannot capture. Unlike biopsies, menstrual fluid collection is patient-administered and allows for repeated sampling over multiple cycles, enabling longitudinal monitoring of reproductive health. Emerging research suggests menstrual fluid biomarkers may outperform traditional serum-based tests in detecting conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. Integrating menstrual fluid analysis into diagnostics could improve early detection and reduce reliance on invasive procedures.