
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 does your period impact your sleep?
Many women experience sleep disturbances at various points in their menstrual cycle. Here's how your period may affect your sleep, and what to do about it.
by Abi Millar

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
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.
