just commenting to say: i totally know what you mean about not realizing exactly how light your flow is until getting a cup. i'm not really super light, but compared to some experiences i've read about here and in other comms, i'm pretty light. it never seemed like it until i got a cup.

I'm always really curious about what doctors think about cups. I go to a holistic/naturalistic kind of doctor so I'm sure he'd be down with it. I never go to my "regular" gp doctor so I've never mentioned it to him.

once though when I was at the "regular" doctor the nurse was asking me about when my last period was yadda yadda, and somehow it came up that mine is not too long, so he said I was lucky. I told him it's not something that bothers me in the least bit, it's just a representation of how cool my body is, and that I can create life with it. he kind of looked at me surprised having not been expecting that answer, but i think he thought it was kind of cool.
I'm hoping iI can change peoples' views on periods one nurse at a time....

What a cool comment from you. :-)

I also consider my period something special, but in another way.
Even though it hurts like **** when it starts (especially when it's late), I don't think that doctors/nurses/whoever generally should say, oh good for you, it's short/light/whatever. Every woman and girl should decide herself what her period means to her.

Just my unnecessary 2 cents:-)

you're right, every woman should be able to decide for herself, however, we're not given that opportunity. from the moment you first hear about periods, it's in a negative way. That's why women need to stop listening to the bs that's out there...

ugh... i'll stop before i start ranting

you guys should read "my little red book" by by Rachel Kauder-Nalebuff

i've heard about that, i'm actually really curious to read it. i read a couple pages of it off of amazon, and it was just so interesting to read about something so personal yet communal for all women.

I don't think it could hurt to mention the volume to your doctor, though I'm thinking it's not an urgent thing. While very light menstrual flow can be a symptom of something like hyperthyroidism (and probably other things), but especially in the absence of other symptoms, it's not a definite sign. Sometimes, there's just healthy variation.

I've used my cup to help inform visits to health care providers -- mainly with being able to measure heavy flow rather than light. The attitudes I've encountered have all been on the positive end of the spectrum: anything from mildly curious about the cup itself to impressed and appreciative that there was a way for me to actually measure my flow and give more precise, accurate information.

actually i have uncontrollable (for 10+ years) hypothyroidism. funny that light flow is associated with hyper.

I haven't mentioned it to a doctor, but my flow's about the same level as yours. Using a cup made me realise how little it is, so now I don't bother with any protection other than black underwear for all but one day.

thanks, that makes me feel a little more normal :)

Are you on a form of hormonal birth control? Taking the pill has slowed my period down to practically nothing. I have maybe 3 or 4 days of bleeding that only barely reaches the first measuring line on the cup per day. Birth control can seriously reduce or even eliminate the amount of blood during a period, and it's totally normal.

nope, i was on hormone BC for years but had essure in '08. i didn't have periods while i was on BC.

Mine's really light too. Hasn't bothered me, it just means I can easily go 12+ hours without emptying it or worrying about leaks! I have to wonder if it also makes the cup easier to empty without spilling.

Absolutely. I have the flow you've been describing for the last three days of my period and heavy for the first two and a half. There's a marked difference in neatness for the two halves of my period.

Despite this sounding insulting to above posters, you are lucky that your flow is always light. In the beginning I will get blood on my fingers.

Mine is about as light as yours and I have two children and haven't had any issues.