Table 1 Sensitivity and specificity of methods for measuring MBL

 Fraser et al., 2001 [44]

Regression estimation of MBL from total MFL

Women with self-perceived normal or heavy MBL

89

98

98

NR

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL using MFL cut-offs

Diagnosing normal (< 60 mL), heavy (60–100 mL), and excessive (> 100 mL) MBL by predictions based on MFL

AH [14, 40]

 Hald & Lieng, 2014 [54]

Modified PBAC (revised icons)

Women with self-perceived light, normal, or heavy MBL

78.5

20.1–100

75.8

3.1–99.1

Diagnosing heavy MBL with PBAC optimal cut-off of 160

Diagnosing heavy MBL with PBAC cut-offs of 10–450

Subjective assessment of MBL

 Zakherah et al., 2011 [33]

PBAC (SAP version)

Women with self-perceived normal or heavy MBL

99

83

39

77

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL using a PBAC cut-off of 100

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL using a PBAC cut-off of 150

AH [14, 41]

 Reid et al., 2000 [30]

PBAC

Women with self-perceived heavy MBL

97.0

7.5

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL with a PBAC cut-off of 100

AH [14]

 Barr et al., 1999 [20]

Modified PBAC

Nigerian adolescents

58

75

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL with a PBAC cut-off of 50

AH [14]

 Janssen et al., 1995 [25]

Modified PBAC

Women with self-perceived normal or heavy MBL or anemia

91.0

19.1–97.8

81.9

52.3–100

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL with a PBAC cut-off of 130

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL with PBAC cut-offs 90–300

AH [14, 35, 40]

 Deeny et al., 1994 [22]

PBAC

Women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding

88

52

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL with a PBAC cut-off of 100

AH [14]

 Higham et al., 1990 [23]

PBAC

Women with a range of MBL

86

89

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL with a PBAC cut-off of 100

AH [14]

 Magnay et al., 2014 [27]

Menstrual pictogram (SAP version)

Women with self-perceived light, normal, or heavy MBL

82

92

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL

AH [39]

 Larsen et al., 2013 [26]

Menstrual pictogram (excluding extraneous MBL)

Women with confirmed heavy MBL

96

92

Identifying ≥50% decrease in MBL

AH [14, 40]

 Wyatt et al., 2002 [59]

Menstrual pictogram Symptometrics device

Women with self-perceived normal or heavy MBL

90

94

Diagnosing MBL ≥80 ml

Paper menstrual pictogram [32]

 Wyatt et al., 2001 [32]

Menstrual pictogram (hygiene product icons)

Women with self-perceived normal or heavy MBL

86

88

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL

AH [14]

 Schumacher et al., 2012 [84]

Mixed linear model (menstrual diary and laboratory parameters)

Women with confirmed heavy MBL (≥80 mL during ≥2 reference cycles)

87

70

Diagnosing MBL > 80 ml

AH [14, 40]

 Bushnell et al., 2010 [69]

MIQ

Women with self-perceived normal MBL or diagnosed heavy MBL

64

69–79

75

63–82

Predicting meaningful MBL change with MIQ cut-offs of:

+ 3 from last baseline to first treatment cycle (item 6a)

− 0.5 change from baseline (items 1–4)

MIQ item 6c

 Lukes et al., 2010 [72]

MIQ

Women with confirmed heavy MBL (≥80 mL in 2 pretreatment cycles)

71.3

61.9

Predicting an optimal MBL reduction of − 22% with a meaningful response on MIQ

AH

 Warner et al., 2004 [68]

MEQ (including ferritin status)

Women with self-perceived menstrual complaint

60

86

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL

AH [14]

 Heath et al., 1999 [62]

Menstrual Record

Menstrual Recall

Young adult women

Record, 66

Recall, 59

Not mentioned

Correspondence with weighed menstrual loss tertiles (low, normal, high)

Weighed menstrual fluid (MFL)

 Janssen et al., 1995 [25]

Subjective assessment of MBL

Women with self-perceived normal or heavy MBL or anemia

74.2

73.9

Diagnosing MBL > 80 mL with complaint of heavy MBL

AH [14, 35, 40]