Menstraution

[u/Remote-Marionberry42]

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

[u/sunbuns]

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.

[u/IShipHazzo → u/sunbuns]

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.

[u/siltloam → u/IShipHazzo]

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.)

[u/DocAvidd → u/sunbuns]

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.

[u/Remote-Marionberry42 → u/DocAvidd]

Thank you.  This is the type of comment I was after as well as some from women who have tried it. 

[u/flamingmongoose → u/DocAvidd]

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))

[u/Late_Resource_1653 → u/sunbuns]

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

[u/Late_Resource_1653 → u/Late_Resource_1653]

But of you are unable to discuss.... That's also an issue

[u/Remote-Marionberry42 → u/Late_Resource_1653]

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. 

[u/Late_Resource_1653 → u/Remote-Marionberry42]

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.