Menstrual Blood Stem Cell Banking: Blessings in Disguise

Abstract

Menstruation is a natural part of the reproductive cycle occurring in the female body when she attains menarche. However, it was widely influenced by many socio-cultural aspects and stigma in a woman’s life. The concept has changed with the discovery of mesenchymal stem cells present in the menstrual blood, which was previously considered waste and dirty. The unique capability of the cell for its self-renewal and differentiation attracts researchers and medical professionals towards a new approach and gives them an alternate stem cell scope. Menstrual blood banking appears to be a ground-breaking, promising, cost-effective, novel and ethically acceptable substitute concept that needs to be popularised in medicine.

Keywords

• menstrual blood banking
• menstrual blood stem cells
• menstrual blood
• stem cells