For partners · Period Foundation

Scientists

Why it matters to you: Today, studying menstrual blood in Austria means starting from zero. As far as we know, no collection of menstrual samples exists here. Before the science can start, you need funding, women and often a year or more of collecting.
What we offer: Samples already collected, every month from the same women over a year, with health information and consent for research. Each sample is split into small frozen portions, so many teams can use it.
How it works: Apply to the foundation, and the access decision comes within a fixed time. As with any biobank in Austria, your project needs its own ethics approval. Our goal is our own ethics vote for the collection, so you receive a ready pack and only add your project plan. Rules and fees are published and the same for everyone.

Why it matters to you: Progress in endometriosis and heavy bleeding is slowed by a lack of samples. Most collections hold one sample per woman, and trials struggle to recruit: one phase 3 endometriosis trial was stopped because too few women enrolled.
What we offer: Samples from the same women over time, and depending on the study design, from women with diagnosed conditions as well as healthy controls. The foundation can also invite women to your study if it approves it. Each woman decides for herself.
On what terms: Published fees, the same for everyone, no exclusive rights. Part of the fee from commercial users goes back to research chosen by the women.

Why it matters to you: There is still no reliable test for endometriosis, whether from blood, urine or menstrual blood. The European guideline asks for “large, multi-centre prospective studies with independent validation sample sets” to find out whether biomarkers can help detect endometriosis (ESHRE 2022).
What we offer: The samples needed for exactly that kind of study, so that a reliable, non-invasive test can one day be proven. This is long-term work, not a test for your practice today.
How you can help: Tell patients with painful or heavy periods about the study, or join our scientific advisory board.

Why it matters to you: Period-related conditions receive less than 1% of women’s-health research funding.
What we offer: One collection that serves many funded projects, run by a non-profit whose members are the women who take part. The kind of long-term study the European endometriosis guideline asks for.

Your role: Women hand in their samples at their neighbourhood pharmacy, which keeps them cool until the courier collects them.
What’s in it for you: Women from your neighbourhood coming in every month, and a role in women’s-health research. Partner pharmacies are paid for their time, with the amount set by the study design and the grant.

We’re not recruiting yet: the first study needs funding and ethics approval. If you want to be part of it, write to us.