Period blood loss chart
Peer reviewed by Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP Authored by Danny ChadburnOriginally published 30 Oct 2017
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
- DownloadDownload
- Share
- Language
- Discussion
- Audio Version
- Add to preferred sources on Google
Using a period blood loss chart helps your doctor to get an idea as to how heavy your period is.
Period blood loss chart for printing off
Each time you change a tampon or towel, place a mark mark in the column against the picture which most closely resembles your tampon or towel. (Some women use tampons, some use towels and some use both when the period is heavy.)
If you have a clot, mark roughly how large it is using different coins as a guide. In the UK for example, the size of a 1p, 2p, or 50p coin can be used.
Flooding means you have blood flow enough to stain your underwear (or worse) despite using a tampon, towel or both. If you have any flooding, place a mark in the flooding section.
The example shows a woman who over one day had five heavily blood-soaked tampons, one moderately blood-soaked tampon, one heavily blood-soaked towel, one moderately blood-soaked towel, and one clot the size of a 50p coin.
Patient picks for Periods and period problems
Women's health
How to look after your mental health during your menstrual cycle
Self-care is important at all times, but it could be even more valuable when you have your period. The impact that your menstrual cycle can have on your overall mental well-being is often underestimated, but there are steps you can take to manage your stress levels and reduce the chance of existing mental illnesses being exacerbated during your menstrual cycle.
by Emily Jane Bashforth
Women's health
How to delay your period - is it safe to take norethisterone?
Periods are a normal and healthy part of life, but there are times when we've all wished they wouldn't arrive. There are a number of ways to delay your period for a holiday or special event, including taking a medication called norethisterone. But is it safe?
by Lydia Smith
About the author
Authored by
Danny Chadburn
Head of Content
Danny was the previous Head of Content at Patient.
About the reviewerView full bio
Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP
General Practitioner, Medical Author
MBChB (1992), DRCOG, DFFP, MRCOG (Part 1) MRCGP (2007), DFSRH (2013), MSc - medical education (2020)
Dr Hayley Willacy was an NHS GP working in northwest England, who retired from clinical practice in 2022 after 30 years.
Article history
Article also available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, and Swedish.
30 Oct 2017 | Originally published
Authored by:
Danny Chadburn
Peer reviewed by
Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts or experiences with others in our patient communities.
Ask, share, connect.
Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.
Feeling unwell?
Assess your symptoms online for free
Sign up to the Patient newsletter
Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.
By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.