Medical reference
Understanding the Higham score to better track your periods
The Higham score is a recognized clinical tool for assessing menstrual flow abundance. Discover how it works, its criteria, and what your results truly mean.
Your Higham score
Click on the colours to simulate your score
Definition
What is the
Higham score?
The Higham score is a semi-quantitative assessment tool developed in 1990 by Dr Higham in Great Britain. It objectively measures menstrual flow abundance by assigning points based on the type of protection used, its level of saturation and the presence of clots or leaks.
Before its invention, patients and doctors lacked a shared language to describe heavy periods. The Higham score filled this gap: a single number is enough to summarise an entire cycle and makes communication with healthcare professionals easier.
A score above 100 per cycle is considered the clinical threshold for menorrhagia (pathologically heavy periods), which is associated with a risk of iron-deficiency anaemia.
Score interpretation
Normal to moderate flow : no menorrhagia. Monitoring may be appropriate depending on symptoms.
Mild to moderate menorrhagia : consultation médicale conseillée. Risque d’anémie à surveiller.
Severe menorrhagia : urgent medical assessment recommended. Significant impact on quality of life.
⚠️ This information is for guidance only. Only a healthcare professional can make a diagnosis.
The criteria
How is the score calculated?
The Higham score is based on specific criteria observed each day of the cycle. Each element contributes a number of points that accumulate over the entire period.
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Sanitary pads
Lightly soiled: 1 pt
Moderately: 5 pts
Completely saturated: 20 pts
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Tampons
Lightly soiled: 1 pt
Moderately: 5 pts
Completely saturated: 20 pts
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Menstrual cup
Less than a quarter: 1 pt
Half full: 5 pts
Full: 20 pts
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Clots
Small clots: 1 pt
Large clots: 5 pts per clot
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Leaks
Stain on underwear or sheets: 5 pts per incident
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Total score
All points are added up across the entire cycle to obtain the final score.
Who is it for?
Who is the Higham score for?
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Any woman who has periods
To understand their flow, move beyond the vague ‘it\’s normal’ and have concrete data to share with their doctor.
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Healthcare professionals
Gynaecologists, GPs and midwives use this score to objectively assess menorrhagia in clinical consultations.
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Treatment monitoring
Tracking the score cycle after cycle allows the effectiveness of hormonal or surgical treatment to be assessed.
iOS App gratuite
Calculate your score automatically
Record your protection use day by day. The app calculates your score in real time, generates a PDF report and tracks the evolution of your cycles.
Explore the site
Learn more
Complete guide
The Higham score in detail
History, methodology, clinical validation and comparison with other flow assessment tools.
Health & body
Understanding menorrhagia
Causes, health consequences, link to anaemia and available treatment options.
Practical
Living with heavy periods
Daily tips, suitable products and resources to improve your comfort and quality of life.