Your Menstrual Cycle: Get To Know Your Flow
Surprisingly, your menstrual cycle can indicate specific underlying health conditions. However, this doesn’t mean that each woman experiences similar symptoms or a similar flow when it comes to their period.
Getting to know your own flow may help you determine your health, your stress levels, whether or not you are pregnant, and so much more. Yet, there is a ton of debate on what a ‘normal’ or ‘average’ flow means.
In this article, we will uncover how you can measure your flow (and get to know it!), as well as what an average flow truly means. Let’s take a closer look!
What is an 'average' menstrual flow?
A healthy and happy period lasts about three to eight days, and it usually happens every 21-35 days. Like anything in life, there are differences between individuals which is why there is a range as opposed to a set number of days.
And your menstrual flow is no different!
Often, and assuming you are healthy and have no underlying conditions, a normal menstrual flow is whatever is normal for you. Many women experience very light periods. Meanwhile, many other women always have heavy periods. Defining what is ‘normal’ isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Yet, we can define the average flow. Technically, an ‘average’ flow refers to the sum of all women’s menstrual flow divided by the number of women. While it’s quite impossible to do this for the entire world’s population, studies and research have drawn conclusions as to the amount of the average menstrual flow.
Surprisingly, the average flow is higher than most women believe. Perhaps we would all love if our flow was light and simple, and if our period only lasted a maximum of three days. Maybe this is why we assume it’s lower than commonly believed.
Many sources claim that the average menstrual loss is between 30-40 ml. In fact, 60 ml is considered a heavy flow, with any menstrual loss over 80 ml serving as a sign that you should visit your doctor.
In reality… the average flow appears to fall between 80 ml to 120 ml, with anything over 120 ml being a cause for concern. For instance, a period over 120 ml may indicate an underlying condition, such as endometriosis or PCOS. If this is you, it may be wise to consult with your doctor to determine if you need iron supplements or if anything else is amiss.
So, why is there this discrepancy?
Most sources that measure menstrual flow are only measuring blood loss. However, in many cases, blood only makes up about 36% of menstrual fluid. In other words, these sources that claim anything over 80 ml is a cause for concern may only be referring to blood loss. Yes, it’s confusing.
Defining Your Level of Flow
40 ml of menstrual blood equals out to about 110 ml or more of menstrual flow. A 30-50 ml blood loss during menstruation is considered ‘average.’ Yet, this, again, will appear around 100 ml of total menstrual loss across the entire duration of your menstrual cycle. This would be an average of 25ml per 24hr period, over a 3-5 day period. Taking note that more is lost on the first day or two and less on the final days. Since every woman is different, this amount can be less or more than the above range.
From this and other research, we can conclude that:
- the average flow appears to be around 80-110 ml,
- below 80 ml is considered light
- above 110 ml is considered heavy, and
- anything above 120 ml is considered very heavy
To help quantify this for tampon users, a regular tampon holds around 5ml of menstrual loss, whereas a super tampon holds approximately 10ml.
How to Measure Your Flow?
So, how do you know where you fall? In reality, it doesn’t technically matter unless you have a very heavy flow, which as aforementioned could indicate health issues, or you have very disruptive symptoms alongside your period.
Yet, it may matter for planning accordingly. How many pads do you need? How often should you change your menstrual cup? As a descriptive rather than quantitative guide we can describe different levels of flow as:
- Spotting
Spotting often doesn’t require any sanitary protection, although some women will prefer to wear a panty liner. This level of flow is usually characterised by just a few spots of blood throughout the day.
- Very Light
If your flow level is light, you will most likely only need to change a low absorbency tampon or light pad once or twice throughout the day.
- Light
With this level, you will probably find yourself changing a low absorbency or regular pad 2 to 3 times throughout the day.
- Moderate
This is probably the average flow level and will require you to change a regular absorbency tampon or pad 4-6Â times per day (every 3-4 hours).
- Heavy
If you have heavy bleeding you will most likely be changing a high absorbency tampon every 3-4 hours.
- Very Heavy
This level of flow would be similar to post birth, where you have such a high level of flow that few sanitary items work at all. In this instance, you would probably be changing a high absorbency tampon every hour or two.
All in all, the easiest way to measure your flow is via a menstrual cup or menstrual disc. Menstrual cups and discs only hold a certain amount of menstrual loss and make them an easy measuring tool. Most cup brands also have measuring lines to help give an accurate measurement when the cup isn’t completely full. On average, menstrual cups hold between 15-30ml while menstrual discs hold around 50ml. At MCA Online, we have various cups and products suited to your flow! Shop now.
If you have any concerns or worries about your menstrual cycle or flow, please consult with your doctor. They know your health situation best and can help determine if there is any cause for concern.
Different Capacity Menstrual Cups
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Sale!
Saalt Menstrual Disc Duo Box
Original price was: $ 89.95.$ 79.95Current price is: $ 79.95. -
Merula Menstrual Cup XL
$ 49.95 -
Lily Cup Compact
$ 44.95 -
Ruby Cup
$ 39.95
Frequently asked questions:
Learn more about menstrual cups with the FAQ’s below.
Yes. Many people with Endometriosis find that a menstrual cup or disc is much better for managing their very heavy flow. They also often report that cramping and endometriosis pain is reduced when using a cup.
The recommendation by the Australian TGA is that a menstrual cup can be worn for up to 12 hours or overnight. If you have a heavy flow, you may need to empty your cup or disc every 3-4 hours on the first day or two of your period.
On average, menstrual cups hold around 30ml of fluid. This is compared to a regular tampon that holds approximately 5mls or a super tampon that holds around 10-12mls. There are also high capacity cups and menstrual discs which can hold up to 70ml.
Yes. A menstrual cup is a leak free alternative to tampons that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluid. It can be worn while swimming and during any other form of sporting activity.
While most menstrual discs hold between 50-70ml menstrual fluid, they are not designed with measuring lines. This, coupled with the fact that there is more spillage during removal of a disc makes it difficult to accurately gauge menstrual loss. If it’s important to you to measure your flow, we would recommend a cup that has capacity markers embossed into the silicone.
The first thing we tell customers to consider when choosing a menstrual cup is their cervix height. Once you have determined this, you can narrow down the options further based on your level of flow.
No, a menstrual cup cannot get lost inside of you. A cup cannot go any further than the cervix and will always remain in the vaginal canal. If you have trouble reaching your cup, you may have a high cervix and a cup that is too short. Please read our removal tips for help.
Learn more about menstrual cups and discs:
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5 Menstrual Cup Removal Tips
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