The normal exfoliative cytology of menstrual blood.

The exfoliative cytology of menstrual blood obtained from 10 women by the use of a new vaginal tampon device is described. Endometrial, squamous metaplastic, parabasal, and superficial and intermediate squamous epithelial cells were observed. The quality and quantity of the exfoliated cells of the female genital tract seen in menstrual blood preparations are comparable with the results obtained by the conventionally used cellular collection methods. Furthermore, the vaginal tampon technique has certain advantages over the conventionally used cellular collection methods, since it is noninvasive, convenient and reliable and allows direct delivery of the sample from the patient to the laboratory.