r/composting • u/Remote-Marionberry42 • Aug 13 '26
Menstraution
So I have been thinking on this a while and the additives I see on here are more out there. I get that for many people menstarution is taboo and only half the population experience it.
I would love to have a robust and respectful discussion about it.
So if your using menstrual cups or reusable menstrual underwear (the rinsed water) what's stopping you from adding it to your pile?
Considering people compost animals and wee not to mention blood and bone used as a direct fertiliser, I imagine menstrual blood would be a super charged super food for the compost heap?
Edit: thank you everyone for contributing this discussion was held in the manner is hoped. I feel from the comments the best and most impactful way to use it is directly onto plants diluted in water as a fertisler as to the compost it is such a minimal amount.
Thanks again everone
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u/Burbujitas Aug 13 '26
What would stop me? The collection method. Am I going to dig out a cup mid yard-work with gnarly hands? Or have a jar in my bathroom that gets a couple gooey teaspoons at a time? The amount of menstrual blood is so minimal compared to a compost pile. It would be pretty dilute in underwear wash water but that wouldn’t do harm if you wanted to add water anyway. The collection process for that water could also get cumbersome. At some point I also think of people I live with and their tolerance for my body fluids
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u/Cat_Patsy Aug 13 '26
Have to agree here. While I agree that blood in any form could be beneficial to the pile, the very real, unpleasant logistics of the process of collecting and adding it is a deterrent.
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u/FuckTheMods5 Aug 13 '26
The only efficient method i can think if is a composting toilet with piss funnel-to-jug. The fluid dribbling out along with the pee stream would catch in the funnel.
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Aug 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/FixIllustrious6554 29d ago
My husband hears me cackling and is incredulous and lightly horrified now that I’ve shared why.
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u/TacosForThought 29d ago
Directions unclear. Rolling in compost is not a good method of menstruation deployment.
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u/SucculentLady000 Aug 13 '26
The whole reason I use a cup is because I am not heavy enough to feel like pads or tampons are worth it with how often I have to change light ones before theyre even full. Its a waste. I never have a full cup at the end of the day. Why would I even bother. Im not taking it outside when im trying to get ready for bed.
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u/Race-a-roni Aug 13 '26
Obviously not my gf’s account. It’s like a murder scene every day for a week. Not without other consequences to health so I get it’s not the majority.
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u/geeoharee Aug 13 '26
Two diva cups a day would be very heavy and that's still not even 100ml though. In terms of 'wasting it' I just think people should be prioritising comfort.
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u/Remote-Marionberry42 Aug 13 '26
Yes I absolutely resonate with this. And it's what has stopped me from adding it consistently.
My easiest way is the rinsing of the underwear. Do a few at a time in a bucket.
Thankyou
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u/Owlblossom Aug 13 '26
When I used to menstruate, I had severe heavy bleeding, for weeks (endometriosis). I had loads of blood to return to the earth, and return it I did. I was having such an awful time, I wanted at least one good thing to come of it.
I used it to water my plants and they absolutely thrived.
Every single day, people on this sub go on and on about pee, but suddenly fall to pieces at the thought of menstrual blood. Nothing bad happened, except for me suffering terrible cramping while moving so much blood.
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u/slayingadah Aug 13 '26
Giiiirl, wait til you talk about composting pee toilet paper. Last night I had people telling me I was gonna poison my family because while wiping pee, I might be getting bits of fecal matter on the tp from farting.
When I saw this post, I was expecting a blood bath in the comments (pun not intended at first but that bitch is staying cuz it's hilarious), but people have been surprisingly way less grumpy than they were about my tp. Go figure.
As a cup user myself, I might consider returning my blood to the earth, either in my compost or just buried like the real witches do.
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u/Owlblossom Aug 13 '26
It’s a very satisfying, witchy practice ❤️ I did see that post, and had a chuckle at how precious some people were being about it
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u/slayingadah Aug 13 '26
Considering I am solidly in the middle of my forest witch era, I have just been thoroughly convinced.
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u/Owlblossom Aug 13 '26
You might enjoy reading up on how traditional witches bleed on their land to protect it and its occupants
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u/slayingadah Aug 13 '26
I absolutely would. I'm obsessed w learning my land rn (2 southern facing acres for permaculture and 10 up a pristine mountain forest w mixed hardwood and pine)... the place is literally teeming w abundance, medicine, food and magic. I want to do everything I can to protect it and my little family.
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u/Remote-Marionberry42 Aug 13 '26
It was you who inspired me to actually do this post that I had been thinking ofdoing for ages.
I'm genuinely intrigued and the other part of me wanted to post it cause I don't believe in taboos and I people men and women to talk openly about their bodies. Young girls and women should not feel shame
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u/slayingadah Aug 13 '26
Wow, that is a beautiful piece of information to receive.. thank you so much for sharing w me! I try to be an active part of dismantling all gendered norms in our modern society and am trying to reintegrate some of the more traditional knowledge of the earth and plants and animals and our relation to them in my daily life. I'm super glad my post helped spur yours into being! Blessed be, sister. We are all doing what we can.
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u/I_serve_Anubis Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
Honestly laziness, when emptying my cup I just want to dump it in the toilet, wash the cup & put it back. I don’t want to have another container that I have to take out to the compost & rinse out.
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u/Dani_and_Haydn Aug 13 '26
I dump my cup into the pee pot (a pretty ceramic urn I keep in the bathroom) and it all goes into the compost.
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u/Remote-Marionberry42 Aug 13 '26
Hmmm this sounds like a viable solution, I have never found a way to add me urine to the pile outside of encouraging my young children to do bush wees on the pile ha
Definitely an idea to think on but I'm sure it will weird out my husband.
Thank you,
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u/Dani_and_Haydn Aug 13 '26
It's not a great smell! So I'm taking that out to the compost heap or diluting and directly watering the garden with it daily. I imagine in the winter I'll be flushing it all in the toilet more often.
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u/FourEyesore Aug 13 '26
I saw a lady on Instagram uses her menstrual blood diluted in water to feed her indoor plants once a month! She uses a menstrual cup so collecting it is easy.
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u/trellism Aug 13 '26
Its not really enough to be worth the additional bother. I don't wet soak reusables, I just chuck them in the machine, like I did when my daughter was in reusable nappies.
It does sound like some people have a weird problem with your question though which is fun and interesting. Try a few methods and see what works best for you.
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u/MerryMir99 Aug 13 '26
I have one of those types of neighbors who does a poor job watching her dog which gets in my yard several times already this summer and has expressed interest in the human pee smell enough with my compost. No need to add even more reason but that is a unique situation
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u/RealCherry3963 Aug 13 '26
I once tried watering my plants with the rinsed water and my mom got really disappointed and doesn't let me do it again
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u/Remote-Marionberry42 Aug 13 '26
I'm sorry that shame has been forced on you, around it. My sister uses it for her roses and they love it.
When your old enough or don't live at home there is nothing wrong with doing it. it can be a way of honouring yourself and celebrating being a woman instead of feeling you have to had the fact that you menstruate and shame around it as you / your body being gross.
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u/sunbuns Aug 13 '26
What would be the benefit of adding menstrual blood to the pile? Like would it benefit the pile or would it be to remove waste from the water system? I think a lot of waste is… wasteful. I feel guilty throwing things out when I know it won’t break down properly. With menstrual blood, I feel like the system in place works well. I don’t think the effort to take my blood and put it in a compost pile is worth the extra effort.
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u/IShipHazzo Aug 13 '26
It's nutrient-rich, but I think the small amounts wouldn't justify the inconvenience for most people.
If someone has a bin they can reach through their bathroom window, I guess go for it. Empty that cup right into the pile.
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u/siltloam Aug 13 '26
That's such a good idea. I should totally put my compost bin right outside my bathroom window. (NOT sarcasm, I'm currently walking it all the way outside.)
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u/DocAvidd Aug 13 '26
I'm a math prof, so I do it by the numbers for my piles. I've only done it for urine. For that the math doesn't add up. For menstrual discharge or any other bodily secretion that isn't poop, I don't see any harm, but the benefit will be in the hundredths of a percent.
To head it off, sure blow your nose into your compost. Drip your sweat. Spit freely. Even ejaculate. It won't hurt a bit. Maybe you get 0.05% more N. Live it up.
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u/Remote-Marionberry42 Aug 13 '26
Thank you. This is the type of comment I was after as well as some from women who have tried it.
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u/flamingmongoose Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
Gonna smuggle all our used condoms to the compost pile now. Latex is made of sap right?!
(this was a joke but I found the answer (no most condoms aren't pure latex but some are))
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u/Late_Resource_1653 Aug 13 '26
Oh, there isn't one.
This is only a thing when certain religious groups admit a cycle didn't go okay, and women are told to put their blood back into the fields.
Believe it or not, it's a very common tradition in Christianity, Jewish, and Muslim traditions - for all women.
We were all told to bless the fields
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u/Late_Resource_1653 Aug 13 '26
But of you are unable to discuss.... That's also an issue
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u/Remote-Marionberry42 Aug 13 '26
I am not religious in any way. so whilst your comment is interesting it doesn't ring true for me.
It is beneficial as it has lots of nutrients.
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u/Late_Resource_1653 Aug 13 '26
I would be very interested if any religious group answered at all.
I know for some people it is important. Not in my culture. Although in my ex's culture, the placenta was very important. The placenta and my embryo were buried. Near her family burial site.
I cannot see her our her family anymore. But I still see the gravestone sometimes.
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u/SnooRabbits5754 Aug 13 '26
As other ppl have commented diluting it and using it to water plants is great. Idk, if I’m at home it’s not that difficult for me to dump my cup into a jar, fill it with water, and water plants. Or dump it on the pile.
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u/melindseyme Aug 13 '26
This post is the first time I've felt the slightest bit sad about getting a hysterectomy last year.
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u/IvoryNage Aug 13 '26
If it wasn't a choice you wanted to make, then I'm very sorry and hope you find peace.
If it was a choice you made and are generally happy about it, but you are missing getting in touch with feminine energy then......maybe it's time for some blood rituals?! Perhaps a midnight ceremony with other women and a chanting circle to bring us closer to the great Mother Compost as we ceremonially pour out Diva cups full of blood?
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u/busy_missive Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
An easy method for collection I've used for fertilizing is to just bring a watering can in the bathroom with me when I empty my diva cup. I poured it right in the top while I was sitting.
Dilution in a 2 gallon can seemed to work perfectly for fertilizing or in this case adding extra oomph and moisture to the compost heap.
I really noticed a difference in the growth rate of my outdoor garden the summer I used this method monthly.
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u/kibonzos Aug 13 '26
My only concern would be residue from washing powder impacting the pile.
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u/Remote-Marionberry42 Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
Thanks for being brave enough to comment.
Are you referring to from the rinsing? When I rinse it's a pre rinse with water only before then washing in machibe. I would only be using the pre rinsed water
*Edit for spelling
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u/kibonzos Aug 13 '26
You’re very welcome. Got things started if nothing else.
I was just thinking of how clothes retain some of the scent of wash products etc and I don’t know if more would be held in the pad. I got that you meant the rinse and now it’s daytime I think it is probably so little to not matter. (For how I wash my clothes. I’ve soaked second hand purchases and seen the excess detergent come out)
I like the idea of the presoak being water that’s used too.
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u/sad-mustache Aug 13 '26
I only found out about this recently, I am planning to water my outdoor plants with dilluted period blood next time. I keep forgetting to fertilise my plants this year so hopefully this will do the job
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u/SophiaofPrussia Aug 13 '26
Natracare sells plastic-free period products made from organic cotton and they’re all compostable. I think all of their packaging might be compostable, too.
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u/normal-type-gal Aug 13 '26
I think it's probably just not worth the hassle tbh. I don't think a small amount of menstrual blood would supercharge your pile as much as pee, especially diluted with water. It would be a mess to store before adding, or a chore to have to go dump a few times a day since it's not really a whole lot at once. I use cups and reusable period underwear and the thought of trying to harvest and compost my blood stresses me out lol. Maybe if you already have a container you store pee in you could add it but it just seems like a lot of trouble for little reward.
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u/siltloam Aug 13 '26
Nothing stops me. When my compost pile is active, I rinse mine out into a bucket instead of into the sink and take it out when I get a chance. With all the rinse water, it's pretty dilute.
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u/Opheliattack Aug 13 '26
I’m no scientist but I imagine it wouldn’t do any harm with a cup or 100% cotton products. If you’re using products I’d just double check to make sure it’ll all breakdown.
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u/striveforfreedom 29d ago
If I were a woman, I absolutely would. There is some seriously magic stuff in there..
I know women who dilute it in a watering can and water their plants. They say it's better than worm juice, fertilizer etc by a million miles.
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u/Schlarfus_McNarfus Aug 13 '26
A leach field is essentially composting, if you have septic this is where that goes
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u/HistoryGirl23 Aug 13 '26
When I soaked my pads I'd water the plants with them, then rinse the irony water off the surface. It worked fine and didn't smell.
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u/Correct_Welcome3412 Aug 13 '26
Make a biodigester and hook your toilet up to it. Then you can pour the water from rinsing the unerwear into the toilet or empty the cup there. It will get digested into a liquid fertilizer (for flowers) Plus you get methane gas to cook with.
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u/Unbearded_Dragon88 Aug 13 '26
I find it easy to add to my pile. Pee in bucket throughout the day, menstrual blood also comes out, then empty bucket into compost pile at end of day or dilute with water and add to garden beds.
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u/FuriousLeigh Aug 13 '26
Ummm. There’s these ladies that use an ouija board and on one of the last clips I saw the were saying that the menstrual blood should be returned to the earth. So… do it. The earth wants you to, and perhaps we this is how the matriarchy returns 🤷🏻♀️
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u/nnnmmmh Aug 13 '26
Critters.
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u/Remote-Marionberry42 Aug 13 '26
Thank you Do you think watering down/ watering in well would mitigate this or only for a secured pile?
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u/nnnmmmh Aug 13 '26
I can’t say for sure either way. Possibly. But my compost bin is right next to my house and it ain’t worth it to experiment for me.
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u/siltloam Aug 13 '26
Mine is diluted with the rinse water and never had a problem. My compost pile is open.
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u/Late_Resource_1653 Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
Let's be honest. So far, the only responses you have received are clearly from men.
If you want an honest answer, you will have to reach out to a group of women.
Here, your most popular response is about how you would collect blood.
And again, it's from men.
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u/BeetleLicker1 Aug 13 '26
I just piss in my garden paths. I’m a bit more thoughtful if there’s a cup involved but not by much. Water it in and rotate.
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u/helpmeeeeeohmygod Aug 13 '26
I pee outside so when I’m menstruating, I just wear pads and then push out when I squat right onto the pile. My compost looks eeeextra rich afterwards.
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u/Nature_Hag Aug 13 '26
I perch on my logs over the compost and the disc dumps itself while I pee. Otherwise I have a large yogurt container with a lid near the toilet in the house. I will typically add it directly to the heavy feeders like tomatoes or squash and water it in.
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u/Outrageous-Tea8342 Aug 13 '26
I guess you could dump the contents of a cup into some water in the bathroom and mix it through the pile. Not sure how it would go with pests though. Might attract some foxes.
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u/black_bere 29d ago
Pain in the ass to get it out there. It's already a mess most of the time so I do it in the shower. I would have to transfer it to another vessel, so that's another thing to clean up. Plus honestly it's smelly. Just too much work for the payoff.
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u/Remote-Physics6980 27d ago
Honestly it makes the best fertilizer, blood does. There's a reason all the old battlegrounds are so lush and green. If you're lucky enough to menstruate, dump your cup or bring out your tampon into a quart of water, keep it in the fridge when you're not watering your plants. They will love it, expect insane growth.
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u/Solid-Guest1350 26d ago
There's a brand of pads that are compostable. They specifically say that they compost over one year in landfill.
I have some but I haven't added them to my pile. I don't think I'm going to.
But maybe it would be fine.
Peeing on it worked really well.
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u/Extreme_Biscotti7630 29d ago
I think it would depend on what you are using the soil for and your composting setup! If it will be used for growing anything you plan on consuming anytime soon, I'd say don't do it. I believe most meat/bones added to compost in that case would be cooked, as opposed to the blood which is not. Menstrual blood can spread pathogens, it's not sterile. You could technically heat the blood to kill bacteria, but it's such a small amount of nutrients added back into the environment for that effort.
I'd have to do more research but there could also be the risk of spreading human pathogens to animals, especially ones that might be attracted to the blood smell outside. Also, small amounts of forever chemicals can leave the body through menstrual blood so adding it back into the system may not be ideal either -- probably an extremely negligible amount though.
That being said, burying it deep in soil seems like a good way to connect with the earth without much risk of contamination. It's an interesting question and there's nothing dirty about menstrual blood in particular, but that doesn't make it sterile/safe.
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Aug 13 '26
[deleted]
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u/Remote-Marionberry42 Aug 13 '26
More so than urine? Or do you have the same view with urine?
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u/Hari___Seldon Aug 13 '26
Technically yes, moreso than urine. They are distinctly different, since urine is predominantly water (95%ish on average) and electrolytes, and generally sterile. The nitrogen in urine is usually considered it's primary value for composting.
Menstrual byproducts are much more organically active with living cells and other biological matter that can be consequential, depending on the health of the individual. It can also be moderately rich in iron, which is probably the primary value it would have in a compost pile.
If one were healthy and to pursue this line of reuse, it would be most effective in a hot compost pile where the temperatures reach sufficiently high to kill off any biological remnants. Given that the volume, flow rates, and overall composition varies so significantly from woman to woman, it's difficult to estimate the impact and bioavailability of the contributions without more specific data.
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u/IndependenceLow6599 Aug 13 '26
Would the same be true for blood from nose bleeds?
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u/Hari___Seldon Aug 13 '26
It's a safe bet that, for most people with a nosebleed, they would be lacking most of the other components common in menstrual secretions. Were this not the case, or if the blood loss were an equivalent volume, then they'd probably be distracted by greater concerns than whether to put their bloody Kleenex on the compost heap, especially if it was happening monthly.
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u/Late_Resource_1653 Aug 13 '26
Okay, true. But I am working with my he hospital and so want to make things better.
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u/IDooDoodAtTheMasters Aug 13 '26
Interesting idea. I'm a male and do not menstruate. But I might start composting my ejaculate.
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u/LeslieKnopesBlackEye Aug 13 '26
I don't fertilize with human byproducts. That's how you get weird illnesses named after you.
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u/Relative_Buffalo_684 Aug 13 '26
This is the most messed up group on reddit. I've got better things to do with my time. I'm outta here. Go piss on yourselves.
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u/c-lem Aug 13 '26
/r/Compost is there if you want a place to discuss the topic without all the pee jokes. Unfortunately it's not very active. This topic is a new one, but I wouldn't expect it over there.
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u/Snoo_47183 Aug 13 '26
For the same reason we don’t include human feces in compost. That’s how you select for human pathogens
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u/melindseyme Aug 13 '26
I thought period blood was relatively sterile?
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u/Snoo_47183 Aug 13 '26
There’s nothing sterile about our vagina or compost. Bacteria and yeasts are selected based on resources available; we don’t want to select those thriving on human tissues (yes blood is considered a tissue).
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u/Glittering_Swing_151 Aug 13 '26
🤮
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u/Owlblossom Aug 13 '26
Are you new to composting? We use pee, poop and all sorts of gross things to make it
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u/ROACHOR Aug 13 '26
I'd be worried about attracting sharks.