What Do Different Period Blood Colors Indicate?

Have you noticed that your period blood differs in color from day to day and even across different cycles? Well, it's considered to be completely normal. For most women, this varied change of period color occurs in the initial years of experiencing periods. However, in the later years, experiencing different types of period blood is also considered normal. You may notice a range of colors starting from light red, dark brown to black colors. But have you ever wondered what each menstruation blood color indicates and how it is related to your overall health? Let's find out this and more about period blood colors.

Chances are that you would have experienced dark brown period blood at the beginning and it changes to bright red in the next one or two days. The reason behind this change of color depends on how long the blood stays inside your uterus and vagina. The longer it stays, the more time it gets to react with oxygen, causing the blood to appear darker.

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1. Black
2. Brown
3. Bright Red
4. Pink
5. Orange
6. Grey

Black period blood color might look a little alarming at first but there's no need to worry. This type of blood usually appears at the start or at the end of your periods. Black period blood is old blood which takes a longer set of time to leave the uterus and gets more oxidized.

Brown or dark brown period blood color is another type of old blood. This blood takes its own time to exit from the uterus which gives it time to oxidize and change its color from red to brown. Here are instances when you might experience brown period blood, as follows:

• Lochia

Brown period color can be noticed during lochia - the bleeding that occurs in the first four to six weeks after delivering a baby.

• Start or end of periods

You might experience dark brown period blood at the beginning of the period or at the end, especially if your flow is slow.

• Pregnancy

Brown blood or spotting is also considered to be early signs of pregnancy also known as implantation bleeding.

• Miscarriage

In case you experience brown discharge during pregnancy, it may indicate a miscarriage. In such cases, you must consult with your doctor immediately.

Your periods might start with bright red period color. This color refers to fresh and steady blood flow. Here are instances when you might experience bright red period blood

• Infections

Bright red bleeding between periods can be a sign of sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea.

• Fibroids

These noncancerous growths in your uterine lining can lead to heavy, bright red bleeding. This type of blood is often accompanied by sharp cramps.

Pink period blood might occur on the days when you are spotting. If you are wondering why my period blood is light pink and watery, it's because this blood gets mixed with the cervical fluid, resulting in a light color. Here are instances when you might experience pink period blood,

• Dealing with lower estrogen levels

If you are taking birth control pills, your body would have low estrogen levels. These hormones stabilize the uterine lining and in its absence, your uterus sheds lining and you notice pink spotting.

• Small tears in the vagina

Intercourse leads to small tears in the vagina. These tears allow blood to mix up vaginal fluids and result in pink period blood.

• Lochia

You might experience pinkish discharge from the fourth day of your lochia bleeding.

• Miscarriage

A release of pink fluid from the vagina is an indication of miscarriage.

• Other factors

Imbalanced diet, extreme weight loss or anemia can also result in light red or pink period blood color.

Orange blood is a result of blood that mixes with cervical fluid. This type of blood color is a sign of infection like bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. If you spot orange bleeding, you should watch out for signs like foul-smelling discharge, vaginal itching and discomfort. Usually, it's not always the case but you should consult with the doctor and get your doubts cleared.

Grey blood is a direct response to an infection called bacterial vaginosis. In case you experience grey blood, you should consult with your doctor.

If you are still wondering what normal period blood looks like, the answer ranges from bright red to dark red color. Remember that everybody is different, and your period blood color and consistency can change during a period or from month to month. In case you experience any unusual bleeding, you should speak to your doctor at the earliest and get your doubts cleared.

Read more about period symptoms, causes of irregular periods and what causes period pains.

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