Studies on Menstrual Blood Loss in Intact and Experimental Rhesus Monkeys

Abstract

An improved method of measuring menstrual blood loss (MBL) in rhesus monkeys is developed and appears to be accurate within ± 10% of actual loss. MBL and intraindividual variations of MBL are measured in three groups of captive rhesus monkeys: intact, with surgical uterocutaneous fistulas, and ovariectomized with fistulas. On a volume per body weight basis, MBL of healthy, non-anemic women compares favorably to that of healthy female rhesus monkeys. Using duration of menses as an index of MBL is found to be of little value in practical applications.