Period Blood Colors and Their Meanings
Did you know that the different period blood colors can tell you a lot about what’s going on in your body? The human body is designed in such a perfect way that it can tell you if you’re suffering from any condition.
You may have noticed some period blood color differences in the past that concerned you. This is why, in this article, we decided to explain the meanings of the different period blood colors.
Understanding the process of menstruation
Before talking about the different period blood colors, it’s important to understand some of the mechanisms involved in menstruation.
An egg is released in order to be fertilized during each menstrual cycle. During this process, the uterus prepares itself and creates a lining rich in tissue, blood, and nutrients. The uterus does this to wait for the fertilized egg and produce a pregnancy.
When fertilization doesn’t occur, all this tissue breaks down and detaches, which leads to the start of menstruation. During this breakdown of endometrial tissue, injuries can occur because some blood vessels may become damaged. These blood vessels start healing by the action of plasma. By the third or fourth day, this shedding usually ceases and the regeneration phase begins, so the blood is clearer.
Different period colors and their meanings
You have to remember that the color of your period may vary as the days pass, which is completely normal.
Light pink to red
This is usually the first color you’ll see during your period, especially if you’re taking birth control pills. The concern arises when this period color doesn’t change or takes more than a day to change. In these cases, you must go see your doctor to rule out hormonal disorders, anemia, pregnancy, or infection, among others.
Brown or black
These period blood colors can be due to endometrial tissue remains. It’s possible for these colors to appear towards the end of your period because it builds up in your uterine folds. If these colors appear in the first days of your period, it can be due to remnants of old uterine tissue or that you shed your uterine lining at a slower rate.
Purplish-red
Your period blood is a deep red color because your endometrial tissue has a texture similar to a clot, which is normal. This bleeding makes up 50% of your period and you may shed it for up to six days. If you go over this limit, you should go see your doctor to rule out endometriosis or a miscarriage.
Bright red
It’s a blood type that makes up 40% of menstruation and is due to the fact that the veins of the uterus are exposed after the shedding of the endometrial lining. It’s liquid and its presence is normal for two to three days. If it exceeds that time, you should go see your doctor.
Reds and oranges
If your period is reddish or orange and is accompanied by discomfort such as burning, pain, and bad smell, you should go see your gynecologist. This may be a sign that there’s some kind of vaginal, urinary tract, or cervix infection.
Period blood texture
Another aspect you should monitor is the amount and texture of your period blood. You can have thick clots as a consequence of anticoagulant drugs or also a gelatinous mixture due to cervical mucus. It can also be fluid or tissue-like, similar to a clot. All of this is normal.
However, the amount can cause major concern, since heavy periods can lead to anemia. In this case, see your doctor to rule out any possible complication.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Botella Llusia, J. (1948). Fisiologäa de la menstruación. Toko-Ginecología Práctica.
- Gómez Sánchez, P. I., Pardo Mora, Y. Y., Hernández Aguirre, H. P., Jiménez Robayo, S. P., & Pardo Lugo, J. C. (2012). Menstruation in history. Investigación y Educación En Enfermería.
- Romero, J. P. (2015). Climaterio y menopausia. Revista Peruana de Ginecología y Obstetricia. https://doi.org/10.1357/002224004774201681.