suggested 'normal' limits for menstrual parameters in the mid reproductive years
Last reviewed 01/2018
Suggested normal limits for the four main clinical dimensions of menstruation and the menstrual cycle are (1):
| clinical dimensions of menstruation and menstrual cycle | Descriptive terms | normal limits (5th-95th centiles) |
| Frequency of menses (days) | frequent | <24 |
| normal | 24-38 | |
| infrequent | >38 | |
| regularity of menses (cycle-to-cycle variation over 12 months; in days) | absent | |
| regular | Variation +/-2 to 20 days | |
| irregular | Variation > 20 days | |
| duration of flow (days) | prolonged | >8 |
| normal | 4.5-8 | |
| shortened | <4.5 | |
| volume of monthly blood loss (ml) | heavy | >80 |
| normal | 5-80 | |
| light | <5 |
Reference:
- 1. Peter Joseph O'Donovan, Charles E Miller. Modern Management of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (2008)