Researchers say a menstrual blood test could offer a simple alternative to cervical screening.
A sanitary pad fitted with a blood strip can detect HPV, the virus causing most cervical cancers.
Women could use the test at home, avoiding invasive clinical procedures.
Researchers studied more than 3,000 women in Hubei, China.
They compared pad-collected menstrual blood with clinician-taken cervical samples.
The menstrual test detected serious cervical abnormalities with 94.7% sensitivity.
Clinician-collected samples showed a similar sensitivity of 92.1%.
Both methods performed equally well at ruling out disease after negative results.
The study appeared in BMJ.
Authors said the method could become a non-invasive screening alternative.
Cancer Research UK said the approach looked promising but needed more research.
Experts stressed larger and more diverse trials remain necessary.
The Eve Appeal welcomed the findings but noted the test would not suit everyone.
Researchers say offering more screening options could increase participation and save lives.
