The duration of a period is generally 2 to 7 days. But when you feel like you are "emptying out" or having to change your period product every hour, worry sets in. Is this bleeding abnormal? What is the cause?
Beyond the discomfort, very heavy periods (menorrhagia) can impact your health (anemia) and your social life. Here is the complete guide to understanding, measuring, and managing a hemorrhagic flow.
Article Summary
1- Definition: What are "too" heavy periods?
On average, a menstruating person loses about 30 to 50 ml of blood per cycle. The medical threshold for hemorrhagic periods (menorrhagia) is set at 80 ml per cycle.
The measurement problem:
With absorbent products (tampons, pads), it is very difficult to evaluate the actual volume. You see a stain, but you don't know the quantity.
This is a little-known advantage of Luneale devices (Cup or Disc): they allow you to measure exactly what you lose (thanks to their known capacity), which is valuable information for your doctor.
2- Main causes (Hormones, IUD, Pathologies)
Why are you bleeding so much? The causes are generally divided into three categories:
A. Hormonal causes (The "Overflow" of estrogens)
Estrogens cause the uterine lining (the endometrium) to thicken. If there is too much, the endometrium becomes very thick and causes heavy periods when it is shed.
- Puberty & Perimenopause: Cycles are often without ovulation, creating a temporary hormonal imbalance.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Can cause irregular but very heavy cycles.
B. Mechanical & Uterine causes
- The copper IUD: It creates local inflammation that can double the volume of periods, especially in the first 6 months.
- Fibroids and Polyps: These benign growths increase the surface of the endometrium and hinder the contraction of the uterus (which normally serves to stop the bleeding).
- Adenomyosis: This is endometriosis internal to the uterine muscle. The uterus is larger, "softer", and bleeds more.
👉 If your period is accompanied by "chunks", consult our dedicated article: Blood clots during periods: causes and solutions.
3- When to worry? (The Higham Score)
How do you know if you are exceeding the critical threshold of 80ml? Doctors use the Higham Score.
The principle is to note each day the number of period products used and their saturation level. A score above 100 indicates menorrhagia.
📥 Download the self-evaluation sheet (CHU Lyon).
Immediate warning signs (Anemia):
If you experience extreme fatigue, shortness of breath upon exertion, paleness, or dizziness during your period, you are probably lacking iron. Consult a doctor without delay.
4- What are the medical and natural solutions?
Do not remain without a solution in the face of fatigue. Talk to your doctor or midwife about it.
- Medical treatments: Anti-inflammatories (to reduce flow), tranexamic acids (for coagulation), or hormonal contraception (to thin the endometrium).
- Supplementation: An Iron course is often essential to compensate for the losses.
- Herbal medicine: Certain plants such as Yarrow or Shepherd's Purse are traditionally used to regulate excessive flows.
5- The best period products for a hemorrhagic flow
Tampons and pads quickly show their limits when faced with a torrential flow: rapid saturation, feeling of humidity, exorbitant ecological and financial cost.
| Product | Capacity | Advantage for Heavy Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Super Plus Tampon | ~ 12 ml | Low. Saturates in 1-2h max in case of menorrhagia. Dries out the mucous membranes. |
| Cup (Size L) or Disc | 30 ml + | Excellent. Equivalent to 2 or 3 large tampons. Allows you to go 3h to 6h depending on intensity. Collects clots without leaking. |
| Menstrual Panty (Heavy Flow) | ~ 15-20 ml | Good security, but possible feeling of humidity if the flow is very fast. Ideal in a duo with an internal product (Double Protection). |
La Cup Luneale (Size L) and The Menstrual Disc are the preferred solutions for people with hemorrhagic periods. Their large capacity offers newfound autonomy.
💡 The Absolute Serenity Tip: Double Protection.
If your flow is really very heavy (or for the night), take no risks: combine an internal product (Cup or Disc) with a Menstrual Panty. The panty will act as a "seatbelt" in case of an unexpected overflow. It's the winning combo to stop stressing.
Note: we use inclusive writing for all our articles, which is why we do not use the word woman here. Not all women have periods, and not all people who have periods are women. But search algorithms like us to use the word women so that our articles are better indexed. That is why we write it here.
