The Colour of Your Menstrual Blood and What it Says About Your Health

Having your period not only means you're not pregnant, but it also says a lot about your hormones and your health. In this article, we'll tell you all about the different colors of menstrual blood.

A healthy cycle? Look at the color of your blood.

Menstrual blood consists of shed blood and tissue from your uterine lining. Its composition depends on your hormones and any medical conditions or infections, so the color can vary from person to person and from cycle to cycle. What does the color of your menstrual blood reveal about your health?

Red menstrual blood

Do you have bright red menstrual blood, similar to normal bleeding from a wound? Wonderful! This indicates a healthy cycle. Your uterus builds a healthy layer of uterine lining every month and sheds it completely and on time.

Dark red or brown menstrual blood

Dark red or brown menstrual blood is likely old, oxidized blood that often occurs at the beginning or end of a period. The color of this blood is dark because it has been in your body for a while.

If you only experience brown blood throughout your period, there might be something wrong. It's best to discuss this with your doctor. Women with irregular periods due to PCOS, for example, may experience dark menstrual blood more often.

Breastfeeding women may also experience irregular brown bleeding because their periods aren't always regular. Postpartum bleeding (lochia) can also be dark red.

Purple menstrual blood (like frozen blueberries)

If your period blood is purple, like frozen blueberries, it could indicate excess estrogen. Higher estrogen than progesterone levels can cause various menstrual problems. Consult a doctor if your period blood is purple.

Light pink menstrual blood

A short period with light pink bleeding can indicate that your body is producing little estrogen and is having trouble ovulating. There are several causes for low estrogen levels. Perhaps you're not getting enough vitamins or nutrients, for example, due to a strict diet or intense exercise.

Light pink menstrual blood can also indicate an iron deficiency (iron is responsible for the red color of blood). It can also signal the onset of perimenopause .

Spotting or bleeding during ovulation may also be light pink in color because it involves a small amount of blood mixed with fluid and mucus.

Spotting or intermenstrual bleeding is unexpected bleeding between two menstrual cycles. There are many reasons for intermenstrual bleeding, such as hormonal imbalance or the use of certain contraceptive methods. It can also be a sign of early pregnancy. If you experience regular bleeding between your periods, we recommend consulting a doctor.

Light bleeding around ovulation usually lasts for a short time. You may also feel some twinges. This can be due to hormonal fluctuations around ovulation, caused by a sudden drop in estrogen levels.

Your menstrual blood is orange or gray

These colors may indicate a problem or infection. If you have orange or gray menstrual blood, it's advisable to contact a doctor.

The smell of your menstrual blood

Your menstrual blood can smell like iron because it's made of blood. Outside your vagina, the blood comes into contact with bacteria, oxygen, sweat, and mucus. That's why it can sometimes smell a bit unpleasant, especially if you haven't changed your menstrual product for a while or if it's warm.

(Did you know, by the way, that cup users are almost odorless because the blood doesn't come into contact with the air? Blood only starts to smell when it comes into contact with air.)

Older, darker blood can also smell slightly different. Does your menstrual blood smell really strong or foul? Then see a doctor, as strong-smelling blood can indicate an infection.

And what about the color of your discharge?

Your cervical mucus, also known as cervical mucus or simply discharge, protects your uterus from invaders, but it also provides a lot of information about your cycle and health.

The color and consistency of your mucus indicate your cycle phase. Green discharge can indicate an STD or infection. We recommend consulting a doctor.

During your period

During your period, your estrogen and progesterone levels are lower. This means less discharge. So, during your period, you'll have little to no discharge. Even if there is discharge, it's probably not visible due to the blood loss. With a menstrual cup or disc, it can sometimes be a bit easier to distinguish.

After your period

Shortly after your period, you'll have little to no cervical mucus. Your vagina may also feel dry. As your estrogen levels rise, the amount of cervical mucus increases. This mucus can be thick, sticky, milky, creamy, or white. When it dries, you might see a grainy residue on your underwear.

Around and during your ovulation

During ovulation, there's a noticeable difference in your vaginal discharge. Your vagina may feel more moist, and you might see a stretchy, clear mucus on toilet paper or in your underwear. It looks a bit like raw egg white or aloe vera mucus. It's abundant and can even leak out of your vagina.

Before your period

After ovulation, estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise. This causes the amount of mucus to decrease. It's no longer stretchy but rather thick, sticky, white, yellowish, or grainy. Some days, you might have none at all.

Read more about your cervical mucus here.

The smell of your discharge

Your discharge should be odorless, or have a faint odor that can sometimes smell slightly salty or sweeter depending on where you are in your cycle. If your discharge smells strong or very fishy, ​​contact a doctor.

How else can you recognize a healthy cycle?

The frequency, duration, and intensity of a period vary from woman to woman and from cycle to cycle. If your cycle doesn't match others, that's okay; as long as it suits your body.

If you know what's normal and healthy for you, you'll notice changes more quickly. The widespread belief that a cycle always lasts 28 days and that ovulation occurs exactly in the middle is false. In fact, only a minority of women have such a cycle.

How do you recognize a normal cycle?

1. You menstruate regularly

A normal cycle lasts between 22 and 40 days. If your cycle is shorter or longer, it's irregular, and it might be wise to contact your doctor.

2. You don't bleed too much or for too long

"Heavy bleeding" means you need to change a tampon, cup, or sanitary towel every one or two hours, or that your period lasts longer than a week. Normal blood loss is between 25 and 40 milliliters, with a maximum of 80 milliliters.

3. Your periods are irregular or very frequent

If your cycle lasts longer than 40 days, or if its length varies by seven to nine days each month, you may have irregular periods.

Irregular periods, or cycles that are too short or too long, can have several causes, such as being overweight, losing weight, stress, hormonal imbalances, or conditions like PCOS. If you're concerned, it's wise to consult your doctor.

Note: Breastfeeding can also cause irregular or absent periods, as your body produces hormones that suppress ovulation. Generally, this isn't a cause for concern. On average, your cycle returns after 11 to 16 months of exclusive breastfeeding.

4. Your rules don't hinder you in your daily activities

Some cramps aren't a problem, but if you can't function normally for a few days each month, something might be wrong. A period shouldn't be so painful. If you experience this, consult a doctor.

Just a moment, menstrual blood as a facial mask?

You might have heard of it before: influencers on TikTok were talking about menstruation masks or moon masks for a while. Yes, a face mask made of menstrual blood.

The influencers believed it would be good for your skin. They cited a study showing that menstrual blood can be a source of stem cells that can repair skin damage.

But in these studies, the blood isn't simply smeared on your face, but processed, according to Nieuwscheckers . A face mask made of menstrual blood could actually be harmful, for example, if you have a yeast infection or if the blood is mixed with bacteria.

So whether you have a healthy cycle or not, we don't recommend smearing your period blood on your face.

Conclusion

Menstrual blood is a mixture of blood and tissue. It has a different consistency than the blood that flows through your veins. When it comes out of the vagina, menstrual blood can be pink, red, brown, purple, or even another color. It's important to understand what's normal for you. If you're concerned about changes in your period, contact your healthcare provider or talk to us directly —you're not alone.