Researchers say a menstrual blood test could offer a simple alternative to cervical cancer screening.
A sanitary pad fitted with a sample strip can detect HPV, the virus causing most cervical cancers.
Women could use the test at home without a clinician.
The study, published in BMJ, analysed data from more than 3,000 women in China.
Researchers compared pad-collected menstrual blood with clinician-taken cervical samples.
The pad test detected serious cervical abnormalities with 94.7% sensitivity.
This matched the accuracy of clinician-collected samples.
Researchers say the method could improve screening uptake among women who avoid appointments.
Experts welcomed the findings but stressed the test needs larger and more diverse trials.
