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Original poster

Anyone awake? I'm so mortified and embarrassed

218 replies

FlamingLama · 06/02/2022 05:00

I'm away for the weekend in a really nice hotel and I struggle with really heavy periods. Slept with a tampon in which I changed before I went to bed and a huge verging on nappy like pad on. Woke up amd the pad has wriggled out the way, tampon has overflowed and there is blood on the beautiful crisp white linen. I want to pack my bags and leave now. I brought my own towel with me from home to sleep on but dh said I was being ridiculous. Sat here so upset.
I'm so sick of my horrendous periods. No Dr takes them seriously and I'm expected to put up with them. They make me horrendously anaemic too. Now this. I'm literally never leaving the house whilst I'm on again.

We've had such a great weekend and this has ruined it. I want to go home. I've had other health problems too so this was supposed to be having a relaxing weekend and I can't sleep for fear of it happening again. Just sat here crying. I know I won't be the first person to have their periods on the sheets but I'm so embarrassed and I took massive precautions and it still happened.

Do I phone reception in the morning and tell them?

OP posts:
Whatkatyforgottodo · 06/02/2022 08:16

Please don’t be embarrassed! I have a relative who works for a large hotel chain and the horror stories of what’s been done to rooms by some people is awful. I agree that stripping the bed would be good but other than that please don’t worry about it. I’ve also been experiencing heavier periods (I think it’s probably peri menopause) and I’ve been prescribed tranexamic acid which really helps. Get another doctor if they don’t try you on this! I also use period pants which has really helped with the stress of worrying about leaking during the day and means I can get through the night without having to change my tampon. HTH

gogohm · 06/02/2022 08:16

It happens they really don't mind but would appreciate that you let them know so they can bring clean under sheets too (and allow extra time). I used to have this issue and switch to super plus tampons which helped, then 2 years ago I got a mirena and they have virtually stopped, I just use liners or light flow period pants that last all day, wish I did it sooner

stopthepain · 06/02/2022 08:17

I have super heavy periods too which cause me to pass out. I’ve bled through sheets before, but not whilst I stayed in a hotel. Just ring reception and let them know. They won’t care. I would not leave without giving prior warning.

NoJaffaCakesAreKeptInThisVan · 06/02/2022 08:19

This happened to me once, the only time I’ve stayed in a fancy hotel after I got married 🙄🙄🙄 I didn’t say anything to reception but took the sheet off the bed to soak in the sink.

It used to be a constant problem (although not in fancy hotels 😆) and soaking asap in cold water before washing always works for me - don’t leave it to dry.

I have a mirena coil now, I still get pmt but my periods have pretty much stopped and very light when I do get one.

Xtraincome · 06/02/2022 08:20

Oh OP. I feel your pain. Super heavy period haver over here.

Dont let it ruin your weekend. The hotel staff will welcome a bleach job over chiselling vomit out of a carpet.

I only got peace of mind from 10 day periods and 20 day cycles by going private. I know it's not an option for most but I went and after 20 minutes everything was done- Ultrasound and full vaginal exam for £200. Had a female gynaecologist and she was ace!

Please don't suffer with them- shout until you get what you need from your GP. Does Tranexamic Acid not help?

stopthepain · 06/02/2022 08:20

Also, next time try period pants and maybe a night time sanitary pad too.

Ducksarehavingfun · 06/02/2022 08:22

Please don’t worry about this and let it ruin your weekend! I used to be a housekeeper for a big hotel and I can assure you I have cleaned much much worse things than this…think a coach load of middle aged swingers away for a night of debauchery!

As a PP said just strip the bed before you go. A lot of hotels outsource their linen so it will be collected with all the other linens and will go unnoticed.

Go and enjoy your spa day!

StopStartStop · 06/02/2022 08:42

I had some kind of womb procedure...whilst in the hospital, I read all the leaflets on display and discovered I could have had my horribly heavy periods fixed decades earlier. Pursue the medical solution.

Lovemusic33 · 06/02/2022 08:45

I wouldn’t worry OP, don’t let it ruin your trip. Chamber maids are used to blood in sheets, I’m sure they have seen far worse. It has happened to me a few times and occasionally happens with my teen DD’s when we stay in hotels.

Lovemusic33 · 06/02/2022 08:47

I had a procedure 6 months ago to stop my heavy periods (ablation), i was told it would likely stop my periods completely, it hasn’t but it has halved the amount I’m bleed which is something. Talk to your gp.

RobotValkyrie · 06/02/2022 08:49

Hi OP. Another voice adding to the "don't worry, they've seen it all" chorus.
Consider that hotel staff are often women themselves, and often not that young. They will all have experienced first-hand a night-time periods overflow at some point in their lives. It's really not uncommon to leave the occasional spot on the sheets. A huge overflow is more rare, but is much more likely to generate sympathy than negative feelings.

Take care of yourself, you sound exhausted Flowers

Hollywolly1 · 06/02/2022 08:51

You could fold it up and hand it to house keeping to put straight in bag on corridor and she will replace it no problem, remember she just makes up beds and has nothing to do with washing bed linen as they are sent to a 3rd party somewhere else like all the towels etc go there to,she doesn't care really but it would be considerate to strip the sheet from the bed yourself and will be appreciated

XxDog8 · 06/02/2022 08:53

Don’t be embarrassed- wrap the bedding up before you leave - the hotel will have seen a lot worse x
You sound so down with it all I am so sorry 😞 can you try another doctor? Keep at them as you shouldn’t have to keep living like this as it’s effecting you mentally having to deal with it monthly.

Clarefromwork · 06/02/2022 08:54

Easier said then done but try not to be embarrassed - if you strip the sheets and let them know - it will be fine and you will be relieved once it’s done.

Are you there a few more days? I have just started using period knickers (I got mine in m and s) could you buy some today to wear as well as your tampon and towel so that you feel more relaxed about not leaking?

TokyoSushi · 06/02/2022 08:56

I used to be the front desk Manager on a super fancy 5* hotel, thinks like this happen most days (and a lot lot worse) Please don't worry at all.

Weirdlynormal · 06/02/2022 08:58

I had an ablation. Changed. My. Life.

Go to another GP this is debilitating.

Paperyfish · 06/02/2022 08:58

I used to be a chamber maid at a fairly posh hotel. Happened pretty regularly. Not big deal at all- never got a pre warning or anything. Didn’t expect to. Not a prob. All our sheets and mattress protectors etc got sent out to laundry and they did what ever they did ( well, laundry- I assume) and we we got clean sheets back. I didn’t appreciate it when people wiped their arse on the hand towels- but period blood on a sheet wasn’t a big deal.

UserBot9to5 · 06/02/2022 08:58

I agree with the others saying to be really matter of fact about it.

I think if you ring them, tell them, put down the phone, then it won't hover in your memories afterwards.

I experienced flooding as well until i went on the progesterone only pill back to back. It's awful, but it really really common for women in their late 40s and early - mid 50s so they will have dealt with this before.

They're probably glad it's not poo, or a dead body!

x

ohfook · 06/02/2022 08:59

@FlamingLama

I'm away for the weekend in a really nice hotel and I struggle with really heavy periods. Slept with a tampon in which I changed before I went to bed and a huge verging on nappy like pad on. Woke up amd the pad has wriggled out the way, tampon has overflowed and there is blood on the beautiful crisp white linen. I want to pack my bags and leave now. I brought my own towel with me from home to sleep on but dh said I was being ridiculous. Sat here so upset. I'm so sick of my horrendous periods. No Dr takes them seriously and I'm expected to put up with them. They make me horrendously anaemic too. Now this. I'm literally never leaving the house whilst I'm on again.

We've had such a great weekend and this has ruined it. I want to go home. I've had other health problems too so this was supposed to be having a relaxing weekend and I can't sleep for fear of it happening again. Just sat here crying. I know I won't be the first person to have their periods on the sheets but I'm so embarrassed and I took massive precautions and it still happened.

Do I phone reception in the morning and tell them?

My friend used to work in a large chain hotel. If the stories she tells me are correct, this won't even be in the top 5 most memorable things they clean up today. If it makes you feel any better, strip the bed yourself and leave it in a pile so it's sort of hidden, but don't worry about it.
listsandbudgets · 06/02/2022 09:00

I know someone who bas been a cleaner in hotels for years..From what she says blood, vimit and other bodily fluids are all part of the job. What makes her angry is when the room is full of empty bottles and vomit.. everything else is just unfortunate.

How are you feeling now? Heavy periods can be awful at times. Flowers

lucylucyapplejuicy · 06/02/2022 09:01

Don't worry, when I was much younger I worked in a very well known hotel chain (Lenny henry) this would happen a lot and it really wasn't an issue. Just strip the sheet and mention it to reception or a passing housekeeper, they will understand they will most probably be women too and there will be no judgement! Thanks

JLQ1020 · 06/02/2022 09:02

Hotels see much much worse than this I promise you.
This won't even phase them.

felulageller · 06/02/2022 09:03

This has happened to me a few times. They have white sheets for a reason- to boil wash out all the stains hotel sheets get!!

At least it's not on the carpet- I felt worse about that one on the rush from stained sheets to the loo!

Meklk · 06/02/2022 09:06
  1. Please tell this for hotel staff,you don't need to explain what's happened, just H&S- some housekeepers have allergies for latex, powder in gloves,just to be sure they know and won't touch the sheets without gloves
  2. Hotel linen is washed with very strong chemicals,you can remove even 1week old blood
  3. Leave tips for housekeepers.
Noisyneighneigh · 06/02/2022 09:07

DH got norovirus while staying in a nice hotel. Well I think you can guess that there was far worse on the lovely bedsheets.

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