How To Know If Your Period is Actually Heavy

Try this:

  • Every time you empty your cup or change tampons/pads, make note of how full it appears and estimate mL lost.

  • Put that number in your period tracking app/chart or just on an old-school sticky note. Do this every time you change throughout that period!

You probably have a heavier than normal flow if you...

  • changed a half-full cup over 6 times

  • fully soaked 16+ regular tampons

  • fully soaked period underwear 4+ times a day for several days.

Menorrhagia is an excessively heavy flow. A few signs of menorrhagia are:

  • Blood loss of 80 mL or more during a cycle

  • Periods lasting 8 or more days

  • Clots bigger than a quarter

  • Bleeding full through pads or tampons within an hour

Talk to your doc if you experience ANY of those signs. Your period is a vital sign!