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Drawing of a menstrual blood extraction device. A cylindrical container with a grated surface at one end attaches to a thin, curved rod.
Menstrual blood extractor device, patented in 1977. (Photo: mum.org)

Menstrual blood "extractor" patented.

1977

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Menstrual blood extractor device, patented in 1977. (Photo: mum.org)

Continuing the cultural belief that menstruation is a "problem" to be remedied, the menstrual blood extractor is envisioned as a home-based machine used to suck the blood from the uterus.

The inventor claims it can shorten the period to one day. The machine is never known to be widely manufactured.

A similar device, the Del-Em, was invented by members of a feminist self-help group in 1971 to be used for home abortions in the pre-Roe v. Wade era.