Menstrual stem cells (MenSCs) are special cells found in menstrual blood that have the ability to develop into different cell types. They've shown promising potential in regenerative medicine research and could offer a non-invasive alternative to other stem cell sources.

Yes. This is a non-invasive study using menstrual blood you naturally shed during your period. Risks are minimal and may include mild discomfort from using a menstrual cup (similar to using a tampon). All samples are handled according to strict biohazard protocols, and your privacy is protected under HIPAA regulations. Our study protocols have been reviewed and approved by the Advarra IRB (Institutional Review Board), an independent ethics committee that protects the rights and welfare of research participants.

Yes! You can participate up to 9 times throughout the calendar year. We’ve set this limit to keep things simple for you and ensure your total annual research compensation stays under $600, so there’s no tax paperwork to worry about.

Your menstrual blood will be processed to isolate and count stem cells. If viable, a portion may be frozen and re-analyzed after thawing. Samples are stored for up to 9 months or until no longer viable, then discarded according to biohazard protocols. Your sample will not be used for therapeutic purposes or sold/shared without your additional written consent.

Absolutely. All samples are labeled with unique study codes (no names). Your identifiable information is stored separately from research data. Only HIPAA-certified study staff and the IRB may access your protected health information, which is used solely for this research. Digital data is stored on access-restricted platforms.

No! You can use your own menstrual cup if you already have one and prefer it. If you need a cup for the study, we'll provide one from our selection of commercially available options.

This depends on the type and specific eligibility criteria. The study is interested in exploring how contraceptive use may correlate with stem cell viability, so many forms of birth control may be acceptable. Please complete the eligibility screening form or contact the research team directly to confirm.

This Alpha Test focuses on establishing baseline stem cell viability data. Certain reproductive disorders like endometriosis or PCOS may affect menstrual blood composition, which could impact our initial research findings. However, we hope to expand eligibility in future studies as we learn more. Your interest matters to us, and we encourage you to stay connected for future opportunities.

Yes! We welcome participants with all types of menstrual cycles. Whether your periods are regular (every 21-35 days) or irregular, you may be eligible. We believe that understanding the full spectrum of menstrual cycles is essential to inclusive research.

Yes, absolutely. Participation is entirely voluntary. You may choose not to participate or withdraw at any time without penalty. Your participation (or decision not to participate) will not affect your access to healthcare or services.

This is a research study, not a medical diagnostic test. You will not receive individual results about your stem cells. However, you're contributing to scientific knowledge that could benefit many people in the future.

Not yet! This is outside the scope of our current study, but we’re working toward making personal stem cell storage possible in the future. You can join our waitlist [here] to be among the first to know when it becomes available.

Principal Investigator: Aya Fattah

Phone: (707) 738-6955 (24 hours)

Email: aya@mycells.bio

Address: Frontier Tower Lab, 995 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103

You can contact the Study Subject Adviser at Advarra IRB:

•   Toll-free: 877-992-4724

•   Email: adviser@advarra.com

•   Reference number: Pro00088779