Some are completely open about their periods, while others hide the most natural thing in the world behind strange terms like "strawberry week," because periods are still somewhat taboo. Myths surround the colors blood can take on, which don't contribute to open education. We're putting this to bed!
In this article, you'll learn all about the different colors of menstrual blood and what they can tell you about your health. We'll also show you that color changes during your period and different textures are completely normal. You'll get tips on when to seek medical advice and answer the most frequently asked questions on the topic.
What does the color of period blood mean?
Like your other vital signs, such as your breathing or blood pressure, your period blood also says a lot about your overall health. If you look closely and observe the color, consistency, and smell, you can draw conclusions about your hormone levels as well as possible infections or diseases. For example, light blood can indicate low estrogen levels, while dark blood can indicate high estrogen levels.
Interesting to know: Period blood is a good indicator of your health!
Even though you probably don't notice any difference between normal blood, for example, from a cut, and menstrual blood at first glance, there is a difference, and a pretty big one, too. Periods are only about half blood. The other half is made up of the unfertilized egg, uterine lining, tissue, stem cells, vaginal secretions, and nutrients. That's why they can appear lumpy or jelly-like.
All menstrual colors at a glance
Anyone who's never explored the color spectrum of menstruation may be amazed by the variety of variations. Most are completely normal and indicate a healthy body. But not all reds are created equal. Learn more here!
Red
- Normal menstrual blood is bright red.
It is fresh and typical of the strongest days. - The blood has not had much time to react with oxygen and become darker, but the color palette of red tones is still large.
- You can rest assured: everything is fine!
light red
- A light red tone indicates low estrogen levels
- This can be caused by too little sleep, too much alcohol, a strict diet, competitive sports, but also by hormonal contraceptives.
- Sometimes it can also be an indication of pregnancy, as periods do not always stop.
Brown to black
- Very dark brown to black blood is older and flows out of the body more slowly.
- It oxidizes, i.e. reacts with oxygen, and darkens naturally.
- This coloring can often be observed at the beginning and end of the period.
Gray
- If your menstrual blood turns gray, there may be an infection and you should consult your doctor.
- Gray clumps of tissue in the blood can be a sign of miscarriage and also require medical attention.
Pink
- Pink blood may be spotting that occurs in the middle of your cycle outside of your period—it's completely normal.
- It is also known as ovulation bleeding.
- This blood is mixed with cervical mucus and is therefore pink or very light.
- However, pink discharge that is irregular and unrelated to your period could also indicate cervical cancer and should be investigated.
Color changes during the period
It's important to know that blood can change both from period to period and during menstruation. At the beginning and end, it may be dark red to brownish-black, while on the heaviest days, it may be bright red. The natural color spectrum is diverse, and with a few exceptions mentioned above, there's no reason to worry if your bleeding looks a little different. Furthermore, menstruation is a completely individual matter and can vary in color and consistency from woman to woman—but can still be completely normal and healthy.
The influence of different bleeding intensities
The heaviness of a bleeding can also affect its color. With a heavy flow, the often thinner blood passes through the uterus quickly and appears bright red. If it takes longer to leave the body, however, it reacts with oxygen on its way out, turning dark red or brown to black. This indicates older blood. On average, menstruating women lose between 30 and 70 ml of blood during a period.
Good to know: Older blood is darker than fresh blood and is completely normal during menstruation.
In competitive athletes or women on a diet, the amount is sometimes lower, which can be attributed, among other things, to insufficient nutrient intake. Very heavy bleeding of 80 ml or more can occur as a harmless functional disorder in young girls or women going through menopause. To rule out endometriosis or fibroids in cases of persistent heavy bleeding, it is advisable to consult a gynecologist.
How to check the color of your period
How easy it is to check the color of your period blood depends, among other things, on your choice of sanitary products. With regular tampons and pads, it's supposedly quite easy to see how light or dark the blood is. However, it's important to note that wearing these products for a longer period can create a distorted impression, for example, due to dried-on cotton layers. Colorful or even black period underwear is also not ideal for determining at first glance whether your period is normal.
The color is best seen when you use a menstrual cup . Since you see the blood in liquid form and not absorbed by tissue, irritation is avoided. Another advantage: Thanks to the markings on the inside, you can immediately see the amount of blood in the cup and notice any unusual deviations when you empty it at regular intervals. This practical measuring function is also ideal for young girls who have just started their period. The menstrual cup helps them learn what is normal for their individual bleeding.
The consistency of the menstrual blood also plays a major role
If you regularly check your blood color, you may also notice that its texture can change over the course of your period. Or, while talking to your best friend, you may discover that she's noticed a consistency you've never noticed before. As with the color of period blood, various characteristics can be normal.
Aqueous
Menstrual blood is liquid—how thick or thin it is can vary greatly from person to person. A more watery and thin texture is often associated with light bleeding. However, if it is accompanied by a very light pink color, this could indicate excessive stress or the approaching menopause. If a watery period appears gray, you should definitely seek medical advice, as this could be a sign of disease.
Lumpy
If you find small, thick clots in your period blood, that's completely normal. They usually consist of darker, older blood and often occur on heavier days. Caution is advised if the number of blood clots increases significantly and they reach the size of a euro coin or even a golf ball. Their consistency could indicate a miscarriage or a uterine ulcer and should be checked by a doctor.
Fibrous
A fibrous structure, which often makes the blood appear stringy, is also part of the usual consistency spectrum. Like clots, this indicates older blood and can therefore appear brownish-red.
Jelly-like
If the consistency of your menstrual blood resembles very viscous jelly or jelly, it contains a high proportion of uterine lining. This is also no cause for concern.
When is there a health risk?
What's normal and what's not can vary greatly from one menstruating person to another. It's best to listen to your body and know exactly what color and consistency your period blood has. This way, you can react quickly to any unusual changes. If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, we recommend seeking medical advice:
- The bleeding is much heavier than usual, so you have to use several hygiene products at the same time and change them very often.
- During menstruation, the blood suddenly has an unusual color, a consistency never observed before, or smells strange.
- The period stops completely for 3 months or longer.
- The bleeding also occurs outside of your period.
- The cycle is very irregular and varies in length.
- You experience unusually severe pain during your period.
- The bleeding returns after menopause
- Bleeding occurs during pregnancy.
Always seek medical advice
Important note: This article contains only general information and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor.
Normally, blood is red, although all shades from light red to dark red to almost brownish-black are completely normal.
Blood reveals a lot about health and hormone levels. A grayish-red color, for example, can indicate an infection or disease.
During a healthy period, the blood is a bright red, although it may be lighter on heavier days and darker at the beginning and end.
Very light blood can be caused by low estrogen levels, which can be caused by stress, competitive sports or diets, but also by hormonal contraceptives such as the pill.
Yes, there is no need to worry, as brown blood is simply older blood that flows out of the body more slowly.
A very dark menstruation indicates that the blood is flowing slowly, reacting with oxygen and darkening.
Implantation bleeding is usually very light to pink and significantly lighter than a period.
This varies from person to person. The first period can be very light and brownish, but it can also be clearly visible as red blood.
The discharge may appear whitish to yellowish and its consistency is thick.
Postpartum bleeding is initially deep red and quite heavy. It also contains tissue debris. After the first week, the lochia subsides and becomes brownish, finally becoming whitish and stopping completely after about six weeks.
When menstruation returns after pregnancy, it has the typical red hue in its broad spectrum that you already know.
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