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People looking to preserve fertility have established medical options that have been studied and used in clinical practice for years.

For women, egg freezing and embryo freezing are recognised fertility-preservation procedures. Eggs are collected after ovarian stimulation and rapidly frozen using a technique called vitrification.

Embryos can also be frozen after fertilisation. For men, sperm freezing is a widely used method of preserving reproductive material.

These procedures are different from freezing menstrual blood. They are specifically designed to preserve reproductive cells or embryos that can potentially be used later.

The significance of distinction

The interest in menstrual blood is not without scientific basis. Researchers are studying the cells and biological material found in menstrual samples for possible future uses.

But a promising area of research is not the same as a proven medical treatment.

Experts say people should be careful about claims that suggest freezing menstrual blood today could protect their fertility or provide future health benefits. Such claims need to be supported by strong clinical evidence before they can be considered reliable.

For Johnson, the sample appears to be part of his wider interest in collecting data and exploring unconventional approaches to health and ageing.

His disclosure has certainly attracted attention, but the science behind menstrual blood research is more measured than the viral reaction might suggest.

The research potential is real. What remains unproven is whether these samples can eventually lead to reliable medical tests or treatments.

Experts say established fertility-preservation methods such as egg, embryo and sperm freezing remain the evidence-based choices for people seeking to preserve reproductive options.