what your period blood means

Period blood is a mixture of blood and tissues that lines your uterus. It has a different color and consistency than the blood in your veins. When it passes from the vagina, your period blood color may be pink, red, brown, black, or even other colors.

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What is your period blood telling you?

What Your Period's Telling You About Your Health

1. If your period blood is bright red... A bright red color—as in fire-engine-truck red—is no need to sound the, ahem, sirens. ...
2. If your blood is brownish... After you’ve had your period for a couple days, the blood may start to transition from bright red to a darker, brownish hue. ...
3. If you've got some clotting... ...
4. If your cycle is irregular... ...

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What your period blood says about your body?

When you lose blood through heavy periods, you're losing red blood cells, and that can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. One study found 5% of women of childbearing age are affected.

What does your period blood tell about your health?

What can your menstrual blood tell you about your health?

• Menstrual blood from the chinese point of view. But from the TCM Chinese Medicine point of view (born out of Taoist philosophy and practices), the menstrual cup is great because ...
• Amount of blood loss. Is your diet full of thick spicy food? ...
• Colour of the blood. How robust and vital do you feel? ...
• Quality of the blood. ...
• Watery blood. ...

What does period blood smell like and why?

While we each have our own unique scent, menstrual blood itself has no odor. It’s made of blood and tissue that sheds from your uterus, and when mixed with the naturally occurring bacteria in your body, may smell a little less than fresh. Now, coming to your question of you loving the smell of your period blood.

What your period blood is telling you?

Bright red blood may mean more consistent, steady flow. Darker red blood, or a light flow of brown to black blood, may indicate old blood, or a slower flow, meaning it takes longer for the menses to travel from your uterus out of your vagina. Pink-tinged discharge could mean there is not a large volume of blood.

What does it mean when your period blood is bright red with clots?

Most menstrual blood clots are normal. At the beginning and the end of your cycle, they may appear bright red. Because your flow is moving quickly, the blood does not have time to darken. You may also see dark red or maroon clots during the first few days of your period when your flow is the heaviest.

What does light pink period blood mean?

Pink Blood Your blood may appear pink in color at the beginning or end of your period, especially if you're spotting. This lighter shade usually means that the blood has mixed with your cervical fluid. Sometimes pink menstrual blood may indicate low estrogen levels in the body.

What does period blood color mean for fertility?

Dark Purplish Red Women with very dark menstrual blood may have difficulties with fertility and conceiving, and may also put the mother at a greater risk for clotting problems that can affect the placenta in pregnancy.

Why is my period blood brown on the first day and second day?

If you notice brown period blood at the start or end of your period, it's because the blood is older and took longer to leave your uterus. The uterine lining darkens the longer it takes to leave the body.

Why is my period so Clotty?

People may worry if they notice clots in their menstrual blood, but this is perfectly normal and rarely cause for concern. Menstrual clots are a mixture of blood cells, tissue from the lining of the uterus, and proteins in the blood that help regulate its flow.

Why is my period so watery?

Watery period blood is likely just new blood that's flowing quickly from your uterus. As for clots, these also typically aren't a cause for concern. They happen as your uterus sheds its lining.

What do period colors mean?

Healthy period blood typically varies from bright red to dark brown or black. Blood or discharge that is orange or grey may indicate an infection. Women who experience bleeding during pregnancy should see a doctor or obstetrician for an evaluation.

Can you get pregnant on your period?

Yes — it's possible to get pregnant if you have unprotected sex during your period. However, it's less common for this to happen. Here's the deal: A woman is most likely to get pregnant from sex that happens just before and during ovulation (when an egg is released).

What does a normal period look like?

Fresh blood at the beginning of your period is usually bright red. A heavy flow could be darker, especially with clots. Rusty brown blood is older; what you'll typically see toward the end of the week because the air has had a chance to react with it. Pinkish is probably just a light period.

Do heavy periods mean you are fertile?

There was little association between heavy or prolonged menstrual flow and fertility.

Why is my period dark and smelly?

The strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria. It's normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. The resulting “rotten” smell from bacteria mixed with menstrual flow shouldn't be strong enough for others to detect.

What's not a normal period?

Typically, menstrual periods last four to seven days. Examples of menstrual problems include periods that occur less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart, missing three or more periods in row, and menstrual flow that is much heavier or lighter than usual.

Does brown blood mean I'm pregnant?

Pink or brown discharge or spotting before a period may be an early sign of pregnancy. Not every pregnant person will experience this symptom, but some do. This discharge is caused by implantation bleeding that can happen when the fertilized egg burrows into the uterus lining.

How many days is a normal period last?

A period is made up of blood and the womb lining. The first day of a woman's period is day 1 of the menstrual cycle. "Periods last around 2 to 7 days, and women lose about 3 to 5 tablespoons of blood in a period," says Belfield.

Why am I having 2 periods a month?

Hormones — Hormonal imbalance or problems with ovulation caused by thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia, and polycystic ovary syndrome can cause irregular vaginal bleeding. Weight — Stress, too much exercise, and weight changes can cause two periods in one month.

Is bright red period blood healthy?

Healthy period blood typically varies from bright red to dark brown or black. Blood or discharge that is orange or grey may indicate an infection.

Can you have a bright red period and be pregnant?

However, bleeding is common during the first three months (12 weeks) of pregnancy and may or may not be a sign of a problem. It can range from slight brown spotting, to bright red bleeding, may last from a day to weeks and may be accompanied by mild cramping or low backache.

Can you have heavy bleeding and blood clots and still be pregnant?

Around 15-20% of pregnant women experience bleeding during the first trimester. Light bleeding can be normal, but heavy bleeding or clots can indicate something more serious. Always let your doctor or midwife know if you're experiencing any bleeding.

What's the difference between period clots and miscarriage?

Signs and Symptoms of a Miscarriage The bleeding will often have more clots than a regular period, appearing as tiny lumps in the vaginal discharge. Abdominal cramping may also accompany. It's also important to note that spotting and bleeding in early pregnancy is common, and often benign.

Why does my period start with red blood?

Unusual spotting or bleeding between menstrual cycles may be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection , such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

What does the color of your period mean?

Summary. The color of a person’s period blood can relay vital health information. For example, orange or grey blood can sometimes indicate a vaginal infection. During menstruation, the body sheds tissue and blood from the uterus through the vagina. This bloody discharge can vary from bright red to dark brown or black depending on how old it is.

Why does my vagina bleed pink?

During pregnancy, pink discharge that contains tissue and occurs alongside cramps may indicate a miscarriage. It is important for women who experience vaginal bleeding while pregnant to see their doctor or obstetrician.

What does it mean when you have brown blood?

Brown blood or spotting can sometimes also be an early sign of pregnancy that doctors refer to as implantation bleeding. Brown discharge or spotting during pregnancy can indicate a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which is when the fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus.

What does it mean when your period is black?

The color is typically a sign of old blood or blood that has taken longer to leave the uterus and has had time to oxidize, first turning brown or dark red and then eventually becoming black. Black blood can sometimes also indicate a blockage inside a person’s vagina.

What causes heavy bleeding?

Growths in the uterine lining, called polyps or fibroids, can also cause unusually heavy bleeding. Rarely, bright red bleeding may be a sign of cervical cancer. Other symptoms of cervical cancer include: heavier periods. periods that last longer than normal.

Why is my period pink?

Using hormonal birth control can lower estrogen levels in the body, which can lead to a lighter flow with a pinkish hue during periods .

What is period blood?

Period blood is also known as menstrual blood or menses. It's appearance varies from day to day during your period, across different cycles, and across different women.

What does it mean when you see blood during your period?

The blood that you see during your period is similar to but not exactly the same type of blood that you see when you cut your finger. What you see on your pad or tampon or in the toilet bowl is a mixture of both blood and tissue from the lining of your uterus. How much of each, along with other factors, will influence what your period blood looks like.

What is the difference between menstrual blood and blood that you cut?

The fact that menstrual blood contains cells from the lining of the uterus is only one of the things that makes it different from the blood that you see when you cut your finger. Another, very important, difference, is the way that the blood clots—or becomes solid.

Why is my period red?

The brighter red the blood the more recent the bleeding and the quicker the blood is passing through the cervix and into the vagina. Bright red blood is most likely to be present at the start of your period. You may also see brighter blood at times when you have cramps. That's because cramps occur when the uterus contracts, ...

Why is my menstrual flow thicker than normal?

Typically, menstrual blood is a little thicker than normal bleeding because of the tissue it contains.

Why is my period blood darker?

This is because older blood gets released as the deeper parts of the uterine lining get shed and the bleeding slows. Typically the color of menstrual blood is a shade or two darker than normal bleeding.

How long is a period?

Periods come in a wide range of normal. How wide a range? Doctors consider the following things to all be normal: 2  1 Having a menstrual cycle that lasts anywhere from 24-38 days 2 Having a cycle length that varies as much as 20 days over the course of the year 3 Bleeding for anywhere from four and a half to eight days at a time 4 Losing anywhere from 5 to 80 milliliters (ml) of blood over the course of your period

What color is your period?

Through the duration of your period, the blood might change color, ranging from black to orange to pink to deep red. Different colors of period blood have different significance for your health. Here’s a guide to determine what they could mean for your health.

Why does my period blood change color?

If you have noticed different colors in your period blood, it’s usually normal. In most cases, the color change relates to how long the blood has been in the uterus. Your flow will change how long the blood remains in your uterus. You may see bright red blood on your heaviest days and brown blood on your lightest days.

What does brown blood mean?

Brown blood, in particular, is often seen at the start or end of your period. At these times, your flow may be slow, which slows down the process of the blood leaving the uterus. The blood may also be left over from your last period.

What does it mean when your period is different colors?

Different Period Blood Colors: What it Means for Your Health. When you have your period, your uterus sheds its lining. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus through the cervix and passes out of the body through the vagina. Through the duration of your period, the blood might change color, ranging from black to orange to pink to deep red.

Why does blood turn orange?

Still, any abnormally colored or unusual discharge may also be a sign of bacterial infection or sexually transmitted infection.

What does it mean when you see red blood?

Dark Red Blood. You may see dark red blood upon waking during your period or after you’ve been lying down for a while. The deep color may merely mean that the blood has been in the uterus for a while but hasn’t oxidized yet. Dark red blood is associated with the end of your period.

Why is my period pink?

This lighter shade usually means that the blood has mixed with your cervical fluid.

Why is my period red?

If the blood is super fresh, it is likely to be bright red. This is why you’ll likely see a bright red colour on the days where your flow is quick and strong, and the blood hasn’t had the chance to oxidise. For some women, the blood will stay bright red for their entire period but in many cases, it will turn darker as your monthly bleed comes to an end. You might have also noticed that your blood appears to be a brighter colour when your cramps are bad. That’s because your uterus is contracting, leading to a quicker flow.

What does it mean when your period blood is slippery?

If your period blood appears jelly-like and somewhat slippery, it simply means that it’s been mixed with a lot of cervical fluids. This is perfectly normal and nothing for you to worry about.

Why is my blood black?

If your blood is black, it’s often the blood that hasn’t made it out of your uterus while it was still a dark red or brown colour. Your body has been taking some extra time, so to speak! This means that the extra oxidisation of the blood has turned it from brown to black – and that’s all there is to it.

Why is my period turning brown?

Dark red to brown blood is likely to make an appearance at the beginning or the end of your period. This is generally when your flow is a little slower and the blood takes longer to leave your body. While it’s sitting there in your uterus the blood has time to oxidise, changing its colour from bright red to dark red or brown. So basically, if your period is as it always is, dark red to brown blood is nothing to worry about – just a sign that your body is taking it a bit slower.

Why does my period blood turn orange?

Your period blood doesn’t always look pink when it mixes with your cervical fluid – it might appear orange instead. So sometimes, orange and pink blood are happening for pretty much the exact same reason. However, as opposed to pink blood, orange can sometimes indicate that there’s an infection going on. So if you get other symptoms like vaginal itching, general discomfort in your downstairs area, or foul-smelling discharge, we’d advise that you make an appointment with your doctor – you might be suffering from bacterial vaginosis (BV) or trichomoniasis.

What does it mean when your period is watery?

Often, period blood that’s watery and thin is simply a sign of a lighter flow.

What does it mean when you have a pink bleed?

The pink colour pretty much only means that the blood exiting your body has mixed with cervical fluid, turning the red colour into more of a pinkish hue. Sometimes it might happen somewhere in the middle of your cycle. That can simply mean that you’re ovulating, and that’s caused a tiny, little bleed. It’s pretty common for some women, so don’t worry if it happens to you!

Why does my period have clumps of blood?

This is typically caused by blood clots that are passing through your body. This is normal during any part of your period. However, you may be more likely to see this on later days of your period as your flow begins to slow down.

What color are clots on my period?

However, you may be more likely to see this on later days of your period as your flow begins to slow down. These clots may be bright red, dark red, or brown.

What is the first day of your period?

Period blood is a mixture of this discarded uterine lining, blood, and vaginal fluid. The first day or two of your period tend to be the heaviest days of bleeding. These are also the days that you’ll most likely ...

What does it mean when your period is stringy?

Stringy period blood typically isn’t a cause for concern. In most cases, a “stringy” or gel-like consistency is just a blood clot leaving your uterus. Blood clots that are small (about the size of a quarter) are normal.

Why is my period red?

Period blood that’s bright red and watery can be fresh blood coming straight from your uterus. This may indicate an injury or a miscarriage. Seek medical attention if you notice bright red, watery blood coming from your uterus, especially, if there’s a chance you might be pregnant. If you’re consistently passing large blood clots ...

What to do if you have a blood clot during your period?

If you’re consistently passing large blood clots during your period, you should speak to your primary doctor or your gynecologist.

What are the signs of anemia during your period?

Prolonged, noticeable changes in your menstruation cycle should be discussed with your doctor. Symptoms to look out for include: bruising easily , fatigue, or shortness of breath , all of which can indicate anemia. increased cramping during your period.

What is pink period blood?

Pink period blood is simply red period blood that has been diluted with other cervical fluid and discharge. The period blood you see may be thicker than bright, red blood, and may have a mucusy texture.

Is it normal to bleed while pregnant?

Anytime you see bleeding during pregnancy it’s a cause for concern. Although some bleeding can be normal, it’s always best to see your doctor to make sure your pregnancy is still healthy and viable.

Can you bat an eyelash at pink period blood?

You don’t need to bat an eyelash at pink period blood unless you have additional symptoms or are pregnant. Just grab your favorite period care product, like Rael organic cotton pads, and stay comfortable and confident during your period. Our pads are crafted from 100% organic cotton and never bleached with chemicals.

Is pink period blood normal?

Pink period blood is a normal part of almost every person’s period. Normally, it isn’t cause for alarm. Here’s what you need to know about pink period blood and what it means for your overall health.

Is Rael period care reusable?

Rael offers numerous different period care product options, including many that are reusable. Our products are holistic, natural, and never contain any harsh chemicals that could interfere with your hormones or irritate your skin.

What does it mean when you have a thick blob of blood during your period?

3. If you've got some clotting... Blood clots —i.e., those thick blobs of blood that can appear during your period—are generally not too worrisome. They’re simply a function of your bleeding, says Millheiser, and as long as they don’t happen all the time and they’re under the size of a quarter, you’re probably fine.

Why does my period blood turn brown?

Another reason your period blood may veer toward the brownish side is if you have an IUD —especially the progesterone kind. With an IUD, "you're shedding a smaller amount of the uterus lining every month, which means that the blood stays in there for a lot longer," says Millheiser.

What happens if you have a period for a couple days?

After you’ve had your period for a couple days, the blood may start to transition from bright red to a darker, brownish hue. And while it’s easy to jump to conclusions and assume that a switch of any kind indicates trouble, it’s actually all good, Millheiser says. "Brownish blood is basically just older blood that’s been in your uterus for a lot longer than fresh blood. It’s had a chance to oxidize, so it’s not as bright," she adds.

What does it mean when your period is heavy?

That said, generally speaking, if your flow is longer than seven days and you have to change your tampon every two hours or so, you are probably bleeding on the heavier side, says Millheiser. On the one hand, that can mean absolutely nothing aside from the fact that you are a person with a heavier period. But it can also indicate some other health conditions you may need to address, such as hypothyroidism, adenomyosis, fibroids, or Von Willebrand disease—a bleeding disorder that slows the blood clotting process and leads to prolonged bleeding—so you may want to talk to your gyno either way.

What does it mean when you have a large blood clot?

At the same time, large blood clots could also mean nothing at all.

What does red blood mean?

A bright red color—as in fire-engine-truck red—is no need to sound the, ahem, sirens. Bright red blood often means that you are simply at the beginning of your cycle. "The fresher the blood is, the more red it’s going to be," explains Millheiser.

Can a large blood clot mean nothing?

At the same time, large blood clots could also mean nothing at all. "Sometimes there is no cause. Sometimes it’s just how a woman’s body functions," she says. Your move: If you feel that you are passing large and consistent clots on a regular basis, rather than the occasional clot here and there, talk to your gyno.

What does dark brown period blood mean?

Lastly, dark brown or black period blood might also indicate other underlying health issues such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, or an ectopic pregnancy.

When do you start your period?

Most people start their period (menstruation) around age 12 or 13, assuming there aren’t any underlying health issues. Menstruation is the monthly discharge of tissue and blood from the inner uterine lining through the vagina. Its color, texture, and duration can sometimes indicate reproductive well-being.

How long does it take for implantation bleeding to appear?

Dark blood after implantation bleeding is very rare, though. Implantation bleeding sometimes appears 10 to 14 days after a fertilized egg implants itself into the uterine lining.

What is retained menses?

Retained menses (hematocolpos) is when menstrual blood cannot leave the vaginal canal and fills the vagina, slowly growing darker over time . Congenital conditions of the vaginal septum or hymen are frequently responsible for this vaginal blockage.

What happens if you have a black period?

Aside from black period blood, an infection might cause other symptoms, such as: Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Discomfort or itching in or around the vagina. Rash or swelling of the genital area. Fever.

How long does it take for a baby to bleed?

Normal vaginal bleeding that continues six to eight weeks after childbirth is referred to as lochia. It starts out as a heavy flow that’s reddish in color and contains small blood clots, then slows down after a few days. In the early days, abundant blood can become oxidized and turn so dark that it might seem almost black.

How long does a period last?

Normal menstrual bleeding lasts two to seven days and occurs about every 21 to 35 days. Black period blood outside of this window may be irregular and needs to be discussed with a health care provider.