Why period blood varies in color
For most women, menstruation begins between ages 12 and 13. You may bleed in what’s commonly called a “period” every 21 to 35 days or so.
According to the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, your period may be used as a vital health sign. Anything from the length of your cycle to the textures and colors you see may indicate something important about your health.
You may see colors of blood ranging from black to bright red, brown to orange. Although most colors can be considered “normal” or “healthy,” others may be reason to see your doctor.
What does black period blood mean?
You may be alarmed to see black blood, but it isn’t necessarily a reason to worry. This color is related to brown blood, which is old blood. It may resemble coffee grounds. Black blood is usually blood that’s taking some extra time to leave the uterus.
What does brown period blood mean?
Brown discharge of all shades is typically a sign of old blood. The blood has had time to oxidize, which is why it’s changed hues from the standard red.
Brown blood is associated with:
The beginning or end of your period
When your flow is slow, the blood may take longer to exit your body. When blood stays in the uterus longer, it may become brown in color. The blood may also be left over from your last period.
Lochia
The bleeding women experience for the first four to six weeks after delivering a baby is called lochia. It starts out relatively heavy. Then from day four onward, lochia may be pinkish or brownish in color.
Pregnancy
If you experience spotting during pregnancy, some of it may be brown if the active bleed has stopped. It’s a good idea to call your doctor regardless.
Missed miscarriage
Although miscarriage may be associated with bright red bleeding, some women may experience what’s called a “missed miscarriage.” With this type of pregnancy loss, the fetus stops developing but doesn’t pass from the uterus for at least 4 weeks. You may not experience heavy bleeding or clots, but some women do develop dark brown spotting or bleeding.
What does dark red period blood mean?
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 simply mean that the blood has been sitting in the uterus for a while but hasn’t oxidized to the point of turning brown.
Dark red blood is associated with:
The end of your period
You may also see this color blood toward the end of your normal menstrual period as your flow slows.
Lochia
The bleeding after delivering a baby starts out heavy and may contain clots. It may appear dark red in color for the first three days before changing to different shades and textures. Women who had cesarean sections may only experience this heavy bleeding for the first 24 hours.
What does bright red period blood mean?
Your period may start with bright red bleeding. This means that the blood is fresh and is flowing quickly. Your blood may stay this way your whole period or may darken as your flow slows.
Red blood is associated with:
Infection
Some infections, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, may cause bleeding between periods. If you’re seeing blood before you’re due to start your period, consider contacting your doctor.
Pregnancy
Bleeding during pregnancy of any color may or may not be reason for alarm. Sometimes, however, it’s a sign of miscarriage. Sometimes women have bleeding and go on to deliver healthy babies. Each case is unique. It’s best to check in with your doctor whenever you see blood during pregnancy.
Polyps or fibroids
These noncancerous growths in the uterus may cause heavy flow during your periods or at other times throughout the menstrual cycle. They can be large or small and cause other symptoms like pain and pressure.
What does pink period blood mean?
Your blood may appear pink in color at the beginning or end of your period, especially if you’re spotting. This lighter shade likely indicates that the blood has mixed with your cervical fluid, diluting its hue.
Pink blood is associated with:
Lochia
From day four onward, lochia may be pinkish or brownish in color.
Low estrogen
Sometimes pink menstrual blood may indicate low estrogen levels in the body. Estrogen helps to stabilize the uterine lining. Without this hormone, you may shed the lining at times throughout your cycle — leading to spotting of various colors, including pink. Some causes of low estrogen include being on a hormonal birth control that doesn’t contain estrogen, or perimenopause.
Mid-cycle spotting
You may see this color around ovulation time. Again, when blood from your uterus mixes with clear cervical fluid, it may appear to be light red or pink in color.
Miscarriage
If you’re pregnant, a gush of clear or pink fluid from the vagina may be a sign of miscarriage. Other signs including cramping, passage of tissue, and loss of pregnancy symptoms.
What does orange period blood mean?
When blood mixes with cervical fluid it may also appear orange. As a result, you may see orange discharge for the same reasons you see pink discharge.
Orange blood is associated with:
Implantation spotting
Some women report seeing orange or pink spotting around the time of suspected implantation or 10 to 14 days after conception. Not all women experience implantation spotting, but it can range in color. If you have spotting that doesn’t turn into a period, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test.
Infection
Any abnormally colored or unusual discharge may also be a sign of bacterial infection or sexually transmitted infection (STI).
What does gray period blood mean?
Seeing gray or off-white discharge is a reason to call your doctor.
Gray blood is associated with:
Infection
This hue may indicate that you have an infection brewing, like bacterial vaginosis. Other signs of infection include:
- fever
- pain
- itching
- foul odor
Miscarriage
If you’re pregnant, gray discharge may be a sign of miscarriage. Tissue passing from the vagina may be gray in color as well.
