What is menstrual flow?
The menstrual flow is the monthly blood discharge in women of childbearing age.
It usually lasts 3 to 7 days and marks the beginning of a new menstrual cycle.
Composed of blood, uterine tissues, and vaginal secretions, the average volume is 30 to 80 ml per cycle.
This natural phenomenon is an indicator of reproductive health and can vary in intensity from one person to another.
Higham score
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What is it?
The Higham score allows to quantify blood loss during menstruation.
This test is used to diagnose disorders such as menorrhagia* (heavy periods) by providing patients with a simple way to measure the amount of blood lost during menstruation.
It consists of noting the saturation of sanitary products (pads or tampons) with points assigned according to the degree of saturation. It thus provides a more reliable assessment than subjective descriptions of the flow.
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Who is the creator?
The "Higham Score" is a test developed by Jenny Higham.
She is a British academic specializing in medical education. She was the first woman to hold the position of vice-chancellor at St George's University, London.
She is recognized for her numerous responsibilities in national medical committees. In 2024, she was appointed vice-chancellor of the University of Suffolk.
How to fill it out?
Indicate in the table the number of sanitary protections you use per day and get your Higham score.
A score of more than 100 points indicates a bleeding greater than 80 ml, which may correspond to menorrhagia*.
A score ≥ 150 may indicate a surgical indication for menometrorrhagia*;
*Menorrhagia: heavy and prolonged menstruation (periods).
*Metrorrhagia: the combination of two forms of hemorrhage, menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. Bleeding during and outside of periods.
Consult your midwife or gynecologist for more information.
