What Does Your Period Blood Colour Mean?

There are a variety of factors that affect the color of menstrual blood, including hormonal activity, the age of the blood, and infection. 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 a reason to see your doctor.

Black
This color is related to brown blood, which is old blood. Black blood is usually blood that’s taking some extra time to leave the uterus.

Brown
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.
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 leftover from your last period.

Dark Red
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.
You may also see this color blood toward the end of your normal menstrual period as your flow slows.

Bright Red
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.

Pink
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.

Orange
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.

Gray
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