She Strengthens

Unlocking the Secrets of Your Period Blood

Your period blood can reveal a wealth of information about your health. From its color to its consistency, every aspect of your menstrual flow can be a indicator of what’s going on inside your body. In this article, we’ll delve into the mysteries of period blood and explore what different colors and textures might mean.

The Color Palette of Period Blood

Period blood comes in a range of colors, each with its own unique significance. Let’s take a closer look at what these colors might indicate:

Brown Blood: A Sign of Change

Brown period blood can be an early sign of pregnancy or a normal part of your cycle. When your flow is slower, blood can stay in your body longer, becoming oxidized and darkening in color. This can result in brownish discharge.

• If you’re pregnant, brownish blood or spotting can be a sign of implantation bleeding, which occurs around 10-14 days after conception.
• After giving birth, you might experience lochia, postpartum bleeding that can last for 4-6 weeks. Lochia often starts out heavy, but around day four, the blood becomes pinkish or brown.
• Brown blood can also be a sign of a missed miscarriage, a condition where the fetus stops developing but doesn’t pass through your uterus for at least 4 weeks.

Black Blood: A Cause for Concern?

Period blood that’s black can be alarming, but it’s usually just older blood that has taken its time exiting your body. This often occurs at the beginning or end of your period when the flow is low. However, black blood can occasionally indicate a missed miscarriage or a blockage in your vagina.

Dark Red Blood: A Sign of Oxidation

Dark red blood is blood that’s almost ready to turn brown or black but hasn’t had enough time to oxidize. This type of blood often flows out first thing in the morning after sitting in your uterus overnight.

• Near the end of your cycle, it’s normal to see the blood in your flow darken towards the end.
• During lochia, you might experience heavy bleeding that contains clots. The blood is often dark red for the first 3 days and then transitions to darker shades as the flow slows.

Bright Red Blood: A Sign of Freshness

Bright red blood usually occurs early on in your flow. This is fresh blood that passes out of your body quickly, having had little time to oxidize. Occasionally, bright red blood can signal an abnormal menstrual flow.

• If you’re bleeding through several pads, tampons, or menstrual cups per hour, something may be up.
• Infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause bleeding between periods.
• Uterine growths like fibroids or polyps can cause unusually heavy bleeding.

Pink Blood: A Mix of Cervical Fluid

Pink period blood happens when your period blood mixes with cervical fluid. This can occur due to low estrogen levels, ovulation, or lochia.

• Low estrogen levels can cause lighter, pink-toned periods.
• Ovulation occurs mid-cycle when one of your ovaries releases an egg, resulting in light pink spotting.
• Toward the end of lochia, usually on day four and onward, it’s normal for blood to turn a pinkish or brownish color.

Orange Blood: A Sign of Implantation?

Orange period blood, like pink period blood, is usually the result of period blood mixing with cervical fluid, lightening the color of your flow. It could be implantation bleeding, which is typically light pink or orange.

Gray Blood: A Cause for Concern

Your period blood shouldn’t be gray. If it is, call your doctor and have them check it out. Gray blood can be a sign of an infection like bacterial vaginosis, which is caused by an overgrowth of natural bacteria in your vagina.

Clots: A Normal Part of a Healthy Flow?

Clots are a normal part of a healthy flow. For your period blood to leave your body, your cervix has to contract, expelling the contents of your uterus. Your body releases anticoagulants to allow everything to pass more freely, but when your flow outpaces the speed at which that process happens, you’re left with clots.

• Clotting is most common on heavy flow days.
• Large clots can be an indication of something wrong, such as adenomyosis, endometriosis, fibroids, a hormonal imbalance, cancer, or a bleeding disorder called Von Willebrand disease.

When to See Your Doctor

You know your body better than anyone else. Talk to your doctor if anything about your cycle seems off, especially if you have signs of an infection. This is extra important if you have any bleeding during pregnancy.

• If you’re passing large clots regularly, you might want to ask your doctor to check for anemia.
• If you’re bleeding through multiple pads per hour or have period pain that lasts longer than a few days and requires pain relievers, it’s time to touch base with your doctor.

Remember, excessive bleeding and severe period pain are not normal, and you shouldn’t have to just deal with them. Your doctor can help you figure out the cause and find some relief. Trust your gut and try to stay calm. When in doubt, talk to your doctor. And if necessary, seek a second opinion.