Table 3 Judging periods as 'heavy'

Miriam:

And how heavy is it now?

Katherine:

Em, it's very difficult to quantify because it's not something you really discuss in lots of detail... I only know compared to what I usually have that well I suppose the major difference now is that I can't use just tampons, I have to have pads as well...

Miriam:

And how is it that you know that they are heavy?

Patricia:

It's really hard to tell actually because you can't compare with anybody else. Em, but I know that if I use, I have to use the highest absorbency tampon and the highest absorbency pads and that still doesn't cope with it that well.

Miriam:

And you said they were less heavy, in what way do you actually notice the difference?

Sheila:

Well there's not as big clots there, and at least I can stand and get washed and everything, before it was just running right down and I couldn't stand it, but I can get washed and that now, it's not as bad.