When To Consult Your Doctor
âIt’s normal to see period blood in pink, red, and brown colors. Consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about color changes in your period blood or if you experience unusual changes in your cycle.
Also, consult your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- âPeriods that last longer than seven days or if you need to change pads and tampons every one to two hours.
- Severe cramping during your menstrual cycle.
- âYou experience dizziness or you feel lightheaded, weak, or tired.
- âYou have chest pain or trouble breathing during or after your period.
- âYour menstrual blood contains clots larger than the size of quarters.
- You have spotting or bleeding anytime in the menstrual cycle other than during your period.
- Your period cycles are shorter than 24 days or longer than 38 days.
- âYou havenât had a period in three months and youâre not pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Your normal cycles have changed and they’re now irregular.
- âYou havenât had your first period by age 15.
- âYou’re still bleeding after menopause, which is when your menstrual cycle comes to an end. Menopause usually takes place in your 40s or 50s.
- âYour vaginal discharge looks abnormal or smells unusually bad.
- You experience high fevers with your periods.
- âYou experience nausea or vomiting with your periods.
Why Is It Important To Keep An Eye On The Way Periods Look
“As it’s been painfully shown by the UK Governments recent research which has highlighted the gender health gap female health has been significantly undervalued, overlooked and under-researched for too long. By understanding their cycles, women and people who menstruate can proactively take care of their health.
For example, it’s really important to track your period to spot signs of abnormal menstrual bleeding.
- Bleeding that lasts more than 7 days
- Bleeding that soaks through one or more tampons or pads every hour for several hours in a row
- Needing to wear more than one pad at a time to control menstrual flow
- Regularly bleeding through to your clothes or on your bedding
- Avoiding daily activities, like exercise, or needing to take time off work because of your periods
- Menstrual flow with blood clots that are an inch / the size of a 10p coin or larger
If you have questions or concerns about your period, always speak to your GP.
When To Call Your Healthcare Provider
Speak to your healthcare provider if you notice a potentially concerning period blood color or anything that is out of the norm for you.
Changes in your menstrual bleeding can be a symptom of another health issue, including polycystic ovary syndrome . Not all of these conditions are serious or need medical attention, but a professional should weigh in.
Signs that you should see a healthcare provider about your period include:
- Missed periods: Not bleeding for more than three months when you know you’re not pregnant
- Irregular periods: This includes periods that are too close together or far apart, as well as periods that last for longer or shorter than normal.
- Unexpected bleeding: Bleeding or spotting between periods
- Heavy bleeding: Normal periods can vary from one person to the next. But if you are bleeding so much and so quickly that you flood your menstrual products or need to change them more than once an hour, you should be evaluated. This is particularly true if you have a family history of a bleeding disorder or have ever had anemia.
- Clots in period blood that are > 1 inch: These may be a sign of uterine or cervical fibroids, polyps, or cancer a hormonal imbalance endometriosis miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
- Severe pain during your period: This goes beyond the discomfort of typical menstrual cramps.
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Why Is My Period Blood Brown On The First Day
Now you know why period blood is darker sometimes, but why is your period blood brown at the beginning? For lots of folks, the first and last days of their period are usually the lightest, and some people experience spotting for a few days after the end of their period.
Because blood flow during these days is slower and lighter, it takes longer to leave your uterus. This gives the blood plenty of time to oxidize and become brown, instead of the brighter red that is more frequent during the heaviest days of menstruation.
Brown/very Dark Red Period Color
For many women, their cycles begin with brown/very dark blood, with the blood at times having an almost blackish tone. You can refer to this blood as the older blood. You may be asking yourself, how does your period blood become old? Yet, it appears when your flow is starting.
Well, blood can become old in two main ways: often, the period starts slowly, and is characterized by a light flow, which then becomes heavier as your period week progresses. On these light period days, you will find that it takes longer for your blood to exit the body, and as such, it ends up taking the dark color as it is exiting the body.
Period blood can also become dark depending on the speeds of your periods. There are women who shed their uterine lining at a rate that is fast and steady, ensuring that every uterine lining is expelled during the cycle, and in the process ending up with a uterus that is squeaky clean. However, others shed the lining at a slower rate, and are known as slow-bleeders. For the slow-bleeders, their uteruses do not become completely clean at the end of their monthly cycles.
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Pink To Light Pink Or White
Low Estrogen Levels / Low Flow
Youll most likely see pink to light pink blood at the beginning or end of your cycle, and this just means a low flow of fresh menstrual blood. If its the only blood you see over multiple periods, its a possible sign that your estrogen levels are low. Another symptom of low estrogen levels is vaginal dryness. If you notice both, we recommend you see your doctor.
Ovulatory Bleeding
Outside of your regular period cycle, pink spotting can be from mid-cycle bleeding, this is quite common and normal for some people.
Cervical Cancer
If you get pink vaginal discharge when youre not on your period or outside of whats typical of your body, it could be a sign of cervical cancer and you should get it checked out by your healthcare provider.
Is Period Colour A Cause For Concern
Generally, period blood can come in a variety of shades and it doesnt usually mean anything in particular. Some people think period blood colour can tell you how well your hormones are working, but there isnt much evidence to support this.
If youre bleeding between periods, or your bleeding doesnt seem like a normal period or smells odd, it is best to check it with a medical professional. Likewise, if youre frequently seeing large menstrual clots , have a chat with your GP.
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What Does Watery Period Blood Mean
Some women just have lighter periods with thinner blood and this can be normal.
Heavy periods where blood flow is faster can be watery too.
A rarer cause of watery blood loss or watery discharge is a fallopian tube cancer. Most women with fallopian tube tumours are over 50 and have never had children. There are usually other associated symptoms such as abdominal pain or swelling, needing to pass urine frequently or feeling very tired.
Is It Normal For The Color To Be Different At The Beginning And End Of My Period
Yes! Your period may change colors from the beginning to the middle to the end. You may even have different colors from month to month or at different times throughout your life.
In most cases, the variation from bright red to dark red to brown has something to do with the flow and time the blood has been in the uterus. Your flow may be faster at the beginning of your period and trail off toward the end. You may have dark red blood after lying down for a long time, too. You may see bright red blood on your heaviest days.
This doesnt mean that all changes in color are normal. If you see a shade thats unfamiliar or gray especially if you have other symptoms theres no harm in making an appointment to get checked out. And any bleeding during pregnancy is a reason to touch base with your doctor.
Youre still likely just fine. Besides color, the texture of your blood may change throughout your period. And your periods from month to month may be different textures as well.
Watery period blood is likely just new blood thats flowing quickly from your uterus.
As for clots, these also typically arent a cause for concern. They happen as your uterus sheds its lining. Size matters, though. If you pass clots bigger than a quarter in size, its worth mentioning it to a healthcare professional. Same goes for clots that accompany unusually heavy bleeding.
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Medium/cranberry Red Period Meaning
Cranberry red is another perfectly healthy color that you can get in course of your cycle. Some women, especially those who have longer periods will expel their uterine lining at a slower rate, which means that the periods will consistently take a darker color, which never switches to bright red.
There is other who also sees the color of their period blood start to darken all over again as their cycle is ending. The reason being that the flow of blood has considerably slowed down, which is why the blood is becoming darker due to the slower, longer trip it has to make to reach the pads or tampons.
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What Your Different Period Blood Colors Mean
Our menstrual cycle culminates in our monthly bleed, but we realize its not just blood. Our entire cycle, from follicular to ovulatory to luteal to menstrual, is a hormonal journey within our body to shed our uterine lining, preparing us for a new month of possibility or not. So whats with the various mystery shades, and what do they mean? Heather Bartos, MD, host of The ME Spot podcast, is here to tell us that its totally normal and were not dying.
Blood can change in color and texture from month to month or even during a single period, Dr. Bartos explains.
Hormonal changes, as well as a persons diet, lifestyle, age, and environment, can all cause variations in period blood. These can all be normal! Period blood can vary from bright red to dark brown according to changes in flow. Infections , pregnancy, and, in rare cases, cervical cancer can cause unusual blood color or irregular bleeding.
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What The Color Of Your Period Blood Means According To Gynecologists
Did you know that the color of your period blood, similar to the smell of your pee, has different meanings and can indicate potential health problems?
You might have noticed that period blood changes color over the course of your period from a bright to dark red and thats normal, according to Dr. Jessica Shepherd, an OB-GYN and medical adviser at O Positiv. However, your period blood may also change color when theres something going on down there.
Below youll find the colors of your period blood that arent a cause for concern, and those that gynecologists say might warrant a trip to the doctors office.
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What You Can Do For Your Cycle Health
A healthy body weight, diet and exercise are imperative for cycle regularity and reproductive health. Being overweight or underweight can lead to hormone changes that cause cycle irregularity.
Stress can also impact your cycle, leading to temporary changes in your monthly period.
Monitor your menstrual cycle and report any changes or symptoms that are affecting your life to your gynecologist or primary care physician.
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Shades Of Period Blood
Youâve probably noticed that your period blood varies in colour â from period to period, or even during your cycle.
And whilst there arenât literally 50 different colours in the period blood rainbow, as such, itâs likely that your period flow can vary in shade between anything from grey, to pink, to bright red, to black. Hereâs why your period changes colour, what each colour means and when you should get checked.
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Hi Im Claire I Founded Aunt Flow After Getting My Period In Public Without The Supplies Needed
Founded in 2016, Aunt Flow is a certified WBENC women-owned company based in Columbus, Ohio. At 18 years old, I dedicated my life to developing a solution to ensure businesses and schools could sustainably provide quality period products, for free, in bathrooms. Our products are made with organic cotton and we are constantly working to reduce our environmental impact! For every 10 tampons and pads we sell, we donate 1 to a menstruator in need. I call this people helping people. PERIOD.®
Bright Red Period Blood:
It is the most common period blood color in a person. If you see bright red color of your period blood then it means it is the freshest blood that entered the uterus and without any ado, left the uterus through the cervix which is why it did not get to stay in the uterus long enough for it to get oxidized and change its color.
Even though bright red is a common color, it is also associated with other conditions which may be a:
o pregnancy. Even though pregnancy period color may vary, but if you see spotting with a missed regular period, it is a sign that you may be pregnant.
o Miscarriage. If you find that you are bleeding once you had your pregnancy confirmed, then heavy bleeding could indicate a miscarriage.
o Fibroids or polyps. It is a benign growth in the layers of the uterus, which can easily be treated medically and surgically. Fibroids can make you have heavier periods than your normally had, or even have more than one period in a month. You may also experience a nagging feeling in your pelvic region. If you notice any of these symptoms then you need to visit your doctor as soon as possible.
o Infection. An infection from organisms like chlamydia or gonorrhea can also make you bleed in between your two periods, naturally, it becomes essential for you to visit your doctor.
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Why The Different Period Blood Colors
Period blood can vary from cycle to cycle and from day to day within the same cycle. All of which is completely normal. The colors could be an indication of what’s going on in your menstrual and your general health. In many cases, these changes are closely related to the flow and time the blood has been in the uterus. For instance, you may notice that at the beginning of your cycle you bleed more but towards the end of your cycle it eases.
Youre Experiencing A Missed Miscarriage
A missed miscarriage happens when the fetus stops developing but doesnt pass through your uterus for at least 4 weeks. Some women experience heavy, bright red bleeding and clotting, while others have dark brown spotting or moderate bleeding.
If youre pregnant and you experience bleeding of any color, its always a good idea to check in with your doctor.
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What Is Period Blood
Most women get their periods once every 28 days or so. However, its normal for some menstrual cycles to be longer or shorter. The menstrual cycle is between 21 and 40 days for many women. Your period usually lasts from three to eight days, with the heaviest bleeding in the first two days.
Periods usually start around the age of 12, although some girls may experience their first period earlier or later. Your periods will continue until you reach menopause , usually when you are in your late 40s or early 50s. During the run-up to menopause, periods can often become less frequent and heavier during whats called perimenopause.
What Does Orange Period Blood Mean
Orange period blood is usually a sign of vaginal infection, for example, a sexually transmitted infection or bacterial infection. It may also be accompanied by an unusual smell or change in the texture of your blood. A visit to your doctor for diagnosis and treatment is advised.
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The Significance Of Period Blood Color Is Commonly Misunderstood
Reproductive and menstrual health is still gravely misunderstood and pushed aside compared to other aspects of health. The lack of proper education and research on aspects of female health negatively impacts people globally in so many ways. At Clue, we are committed to improving research on menstrual and reproductive health.