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What Do Different Period Blood Colors Indicate?

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What Do Different Period Blood Colors Indicate?

Have you noticed that your period blood differs in colour 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 colour 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 period colour, dark brown period colour to black. But have you ever wondered what each menstruation blood colour (menses) indicate and how it is related to your overall health? Let's find out this and more about period blood colour.

Why Does Period Blood Colour Differs?
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Why Does Period Blood Colour Differs?

Chances are that you would have experienced dark brown period blood at the beginning of the period and it changes to bright red in the next one or two days. The reason behind this change of colour 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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What Are The Different Types Of Period Blood Colour?
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What Are The Different Types Of Period Blood Colour?

Black
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Black

Black period blood 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 considered to be old blood which takes a longer set of time to leave the uterus and gets more oxidized.

Brown
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Brown

Brown or dark brown period blood 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 colour from red to brown. Here are instances when you might experience brown period blood, as follows:

  • Lochia

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Brown period colour 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

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

  • Pregnancy

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

  • Miscarriage

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

Bright Red
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Bright Red

Your periods might start with bright red period colour.

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

  • Infections

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

  • Fibroids

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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
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Pink

Pink period blood might occur on the days when you are spotting.

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 colour. Here are instances when you might experience pink period blood,

  • Dealing with lower estrogen levels

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

  • Small tears in the vagina

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

  • Lochia

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

  • Miscarriage

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

  • Other factors

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

Orange
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Orange

Orange blood is a result of blood that mixes with cervical fluid. This type of blood colour 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
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Grey

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 colour. Remember that everybody is different and your period blood colour 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.

Disclaimer

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Always is committed to ensuring that all of our products meet rigorous safety standards; Always pads prioritize safety, protection and comfort of its consumers.

FAQs

1. What do the different colours of period blood mean?


Knowing your period blood colour meaning is a great way of being aware of menstrual health. The normal colour of your period blood should be aywhere between bright red to dark brown. If your period blood is grey or light red/ pink, you need to consult a doctor as it can be a sign of an underlying problem.

2. What does pink period blood mean?


When the estrogen levels in your blood drop, it can lead to pink period blood. Pink blood can also appear in the form of spotting at times other than your period. Do consult your doctor if you are experiencing pink period blood.

3. Why does my period blood turn grey?


Grey period blood is a sign of bacterial vaginosis which is a form of infection of the vagina. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms which might include a foul smell and burning sensation upon urination. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor.