Ping Shen in an ARTE interview

Period blood for research?

“Are we wasting period blood?” the editors of the ARTE program “42 – The answer to almost everything” ask. Dr. Ping Shen from the Pitzer Laboratory for Osteoarthritis Research at DRFZ even collects menstrual blood for her research. In an interview with the TV channel, she reports on the anti-inflammatory effect of mesenchymal stem cells from menstrual blood in the mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS).  The film will be broadcasted on 29.03.2025 at 23:35 on ARTE. It can also be streamed at any time in the ARTE media center.

Menstrual blood is not just waste, because it contains mesenchymal stem cells. These stem cells have both regenerative potential and immunomodulatory capabilities and are therefore promising as a treatment option for inflammation-related degenerative diseases such as MS and osteoarthritis.

Since 2015, Dr. Ping Shen from the laboratory of Prof. Dr. Max Löhning at the DRFZ and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Juntang Lin from Xinxiang Medical University, China, has been investigating the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells derived from menstrual blood for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Their joint study on the successful treatment of these stem cells in a mouse model for multiple sclerosis was published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy.

The feedback from the public has impressed the scientist enormously: “I am deeply touched by the many people who share their experiences, send heartfelt messages and even show their willingness to donate their menstrual blood. At the same time, however, I would like to emphasize that it is not about storing menstrual blood – that is not necessary. Every sexually mature woman already carries this valuable treasure within her. It is much more important to become more aware of the importance of menstrual blood and to be ready to donate it when it is needed.”