
Period blood loss chart
Peer reviewed by Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP Last updated by Danny ChadburnLast updated 30 Oct 2017
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
- DownloadDownload
- Share
- Language
- Discussion
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
Is your PMS depression really PMDD?
Premenstrual syndrome is something many women are familiar with. From painful cramps and mood swings, lots of people experience PMS - but for some, the symptoms are debilitating. Around one in 20 women have symptoms severe enough to stop them living their normal lives, which can be the result of premenstrual dysphoric disorder - or PMDD - which can have a serious impact on mental well-being.
by Lydia Smith

Women's health
Can changing your diet improve PMS?
Symptoms of PMS are common but they range in severity and affect people differently. They can even impact your day-to-day life. Hormones are the cause of PMS, but could certain foods help improve symptoms such as low mood, headaches and bloating?
by Victoria Raw
Continue reading below
Article history
The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
30 Oct 2017 | Latest version

Ask, share, connect.
Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.

Feeling unwell?
Assess your symptoms online for free