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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To collect all my menstrual stuff in a bottle?

258 replies

MOIST · 11/01/2017 14:01

Just to see exactly how much there is lost?

I have a new cup so I'm a bit intrigued by it all. Does anyone else have a FemmyCycle? It's a shit name but it's a special 'low cervix' version for fat old people with a falling out uterus.

Anyway. Having taken to bleeding what feels like 4 litres every month I'd like to know how much it really is so propose a bit of a collection.

OP posts:
GinnyWreckin · 12/01/2017 11:43

I expell about 15 ml per mooncup change and about 3 a day per 5 day period. That's about 45 ml a day for 5 days, so 225ml. It would fill a baby's bottle, with clots settling down to fill the bottom third.
I've always measured my periods (scientist) which was very handy for my gynae appointments.

Loving the menstrual art idea. Mixed media with clots and linings.
Housed in a padded red velvet walled gallery with a tiny crawl space to get in and comfy red velvet sofas to loll about on. Heartbeat sounds and low lighting. Free chocolate to anyone who's "on".

Repeated punches in the abdomen option for any man who wants to 'scream like a girl'. Ha!

Original poster
MOIST · 12/01/2017 11:59

12.00 8ml.

OP posts:
SharingMichelle · 12/01/2017 12:40

Thanks Lawrence.

HateSummer · 12/01/2017 13:00

I used to have heavy periods but since having dc they've become much much lighter and less painful. My sister on the other hand had light periods and now suffers heavy periods every 3 weeks and haemorrhaged after birth 2 times and needed blood transfusions.

Bertiebottsbum · 12/01/2017 14:16

Further 22ml at 11.45
Further 35ml at 2pm

Original poster
MOIST · 12/01/2017 15:13

The new cup is not proving a success. I keep flooding around the edge. Maybe I need to persevere but I'm tempted to go and buy a mooncup as o was pretty happy with my old one before the dog ate it.
I also need to go and buy new pants and leggings as I can't go to my next thing with these ones on.

15.00. Estimate 10ml overflow.

OP posts:
Bouncearound · 12/01/2017 15:18

Apologies in advance if this isn't appropriate but I used to have very similar symptoms, constantly anameic, PPH etc. I used to measure blood loss too and it was a frightening amount. After dc 3 when I was totally sure I wouldn't have any more I had an endometrial ablation and it has transformed my life. No more periods and I feel so much better overall.
Just putting it out there- it's not for everyone but it worked for me!

Bertiebottsbum · 12/01/2017 15:27

That is tough to deal with Moist.

Bouncearound. Can you remember what levels of blood loss led to you going for the abalation? I have been given tranexamic acid but it doesn't seem to help.

Original poster
MOIST · 12/01/2017 15:48

Bloody Tesco doesn't sell bloody mooncups. My experiment is in jeopardy

OP posts:
Cherylene · 12/01/2017 15:56

You could revert to weighing things.

My experiment did not get off the ground as
a. could not get to the toilet fast enough Blush and
b. have spread a load over the bath towel Hmm

Original poster
MOIST · 12/01/2017 15:58

Another 5ml in cup pls a few ml overflow. Lest call it 8ml

OP posts:
Bertiebottsbum · 12/01/2017 16:09

Emptied again at 4pm. Full to the brim so I am calling that 42ml.

NotTheDroidYoureLookingFor · 12/01/2017 16:13

I opened this thread expecting satire. Now I'm off my lunch. D:

OP, don't some of the cups have measuring lines on them? You'd be much better off keeping a log of that than saving your menses.

Bouncearound · 12/01/2017 16:23

Bertiebottsmum I can't remember now. However my gynaecologist wasn't concerned about actual volume, just whether or not I felt it was manageable. It isn't always advised following c section but I've had two and it has truly transformed my life. I had it done privately so I'm not sure how much convincing it takes to get one on NHS- for me it was very straightforward.

LunaLoveg00d · 12/01/2017 17:03

Just to dispel the haemorrhage theory - three babies, no PPH and horrific periods. In my case it was caused by a fibroid which was 10cm long and 7cm across.

Heavy periods really aren't normal and if it's making you ill/tired then you need to find out what's causing the excessive bleeding and what you can do about it. There are lots of causes of heavy periods.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Periods-heavy/Pages/Introduction.aspx

NHS says average period blood loss is 40 ml (8 teaspoons) anything over 60ml is considered heavy. At my worst with the fibroid I was probably losing a lot more and bleeding for a lot longer every month.

DesolateWaist · 12/01/2017 17:19

Well I was going to join in. But I am having a funny period.

LivingInMidnight · 12/01/2017 17:30

That's a really weird looking cup Confused.

MOIST boots should have them!

Bertiebottsbum · 12/01/2017 17:34

Emptied my cup again so another 31ml.

210ml since 10pm yesterday. Am ready for bed to be honest.

Albadross · 12/01/2017 17:45

I've also just bought and used a FemmyCycle for the first time after having a Femmecup. I love the handle - my cups tend to end up really far inside so it makes removal so much easier. It took me a couple of goes to get it in right and expanded enough not to leak but after that it's been easy. The suction is pretty strong but I just wiggle it to the side and break the seal and at least it doesn't spill like my Femmecup used to. I think it must hold more since I would fill up the previous one and this one never got full even over 12 hours.

bananafish81 · 12/01/2017 19:08

Tried a mooncup for the first time so I could measure my flow for my gynaecologist, and my poor vulva got absolutely shredded and left me feeling like I was pissing battery acid. Went for the smaller size even though apparently over 30 (even with no vaginal birth) I'm supposed to need the larger size (what exactly is supposed to happen to my vag between my 20s and 30s?!) - but was still very painful and left me with a small tear trying to get the bugger out

So think I need something smaller - was looking at the Meluna, would anyone recommend this? It seems to come in more sizes so seem to be able to get a much smaller one. The sizing chart says that at 5'8'' I should get a M or L, but those dimensions are similar to the small mooncup, the thought of which makes my vag wince. If I didn't have to measure my flow for my gynae there's no way I'd be going back to a cup, but needs must!

Are there any other brands I should be looking at for a smaller cup?

jumpingcold · 12/01/2017 19:33

Bananafish - Google the put a cup in it quiz, hopefully they will have some ideas!

Bertiebottsbum · 12/01/2017 19:37

Emptied cup again. 33ml
Running total 243ml

WetDogLovesHubert · 12/01/2017 20:38

Placemarking. My periods have meant almost fainting during important presentations and going to the toilet every half hour even with a mooncup (genuinely amazing mind). I reckon on an empty every hour to two hours on days 2 and 3, then four hours on days 1, 4 and 5. So well beyond the 150ml as advertised! I keep meaning to measure so I can complain to my gp and get something 'fixed'!

LawrenceSMarlow · 12/01/2017 21:32

banana did you cut the stem off?

Original poster
MOIST · 12/01/2017 21:48

I fainted in choir Sad

OP posts: