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When your period does occur, it usually brings with it a whole host of not-so-fun things, including cramps, bloating, fatigue, and cravings.
But there is a silver lining to what is often the worst time of the month; Your period can actually give you some very important insights into your health.
For example, irregular periods can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal imbalances, or thyroid problems, while not having a period at all could make you reach for a pregnancy test.
Another part of your period that can tell you something about your overall health is the color of your blood.
It’s normal for menstrual blood to change from day to day during your period, but it’s still important to watch for any unusual changes.
Here’s everything you need to know about what the color of your period blood says about your health.
Bright red period blood Red blood is normal at the start of a period (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Read more Related articles Read more Related articles
While bright red blood can be scary to see, there is nothing to worry about.
Bright red blood is fresh blood only, indicating a steady flow.
Normally, at the beginning of your period, you will get bright red blood during the days when you have your heaviest flow, because the blood is new.
Brown blood Brown blood is common but can also be an early sign of pregnancy (Image: Getty Images)
Brown blood is fairly common to see during your period and is usually just a sign of old blood that has lost its red color due to oxidization.
Brown blood may appear at the beginning of your period because there may be blood left over from your last period. It also commonly occurs towards the end of your period.
Women who have an IUD are more likely to have brown blood during their period because they shed less of the uterine lining each month, so it lasts much longer.
Brown blood can also be an early sign of pregnancy. So if you notice any other signs of pregnancy, you should take a test or see your doctor.
Black menstrual blood Black menstrual blood may resemble coffee grounds (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
You might be concerned about seeing black blood on your period, but there’s no need to panic.
Black blood, like brown blood, is just old blood that has taken some time to leave the womb.
Sometimes black blood can be a sign of a vaginal blockage. Other symptoms of this are:
Difficulty urinating Fever Itching or swelling around the vagina Foul-smelling discharge
You should speak to your doctor if you think you may have a vaginal blockage.
pink blood
Pink blood can appear at the beginning or end of your period when you may have lighter blood flow.
The lighter shade of blood usually occurs because your blood has mixed with your cervical fluid.
Pink blood is normal, but if you notice it at different times in your cycle, it can be an indication of low estrogen levels.
Other signs of low estrogen include:
hot flashes weight loss insomnia mood swings
If you think you may be suffering from low estrogen levels, you should see your doctor.
Orange period blood Orange blood can sometimes be a sign of infection (Picture: Getty)
Like pink blood, orange blood can occur during your period when the blood mixes with your cervical fluid.
However, orange blood can also be a sign of an infection such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.
If you have orange blood, you should look for other signs of these infections.
Orange blood doesn’t always mean you have an infection, but it might be a good idea to check with your doctor just in case.
Gray discharge Bacterial vaginosis may sound scary, but it’s very common and easy to treat (Picture: Getty)
Gray discharge can often be a sign of bacterial vaginosis, a condition that occurs due to an imbalance between the beneficial and harmful bacteria in your vagina.
Another symptom of bacterial vaginosis is discharge that smells like fish.
Bacterial vaginosis is usually treated with antibiotics. If you have symptoms, you should see your doctor or gynecologist.
blood clot
Blood clots can be a normal part of your period and are not usually a cause for concern.
Blood clots are usually just small parts of the lining of the womb and are a normal part of your cycle.
However, large blood clots could be an indicator that something is wrong.
If you notice clots larger than one inch in diameter, you should see a doctor.
Women with very heavy periods can get large blood clots, and these can be a sign of hypothyroidism, uterine fibroids, symptomatic anemia, or menorrhagia.
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