'The colour of your menstrual blood can vary from bright red to dark brown or even black. The colour changes depending on how long the blood takes to leave your body,' says Dr Rosén.
Healthy period blood typically varies from bright red to dark brown or black. Blood or discharge that is orange or grey may indicate an infection. Women who experience bleeding during pregnancy should see a doctor or obstetrician for an evaluation.
Changes in period blood color are normal. Dark red, brown, or black period blood is simply blood that has reacted with oxygen. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have grayish or pink watery discharge, as this can be a sign of an infection or something more serious like cancer.
Dark red or brown period blood
It usually happens at the beginning or the end of your period, when your flow is lighter. Because the longer blood takes to leave the body, the longer it has to oxidize (read: get exposed to oxygen), which makes it dark. “It's not necessarily a bad thing at all,” said Dr. Cummings.
Bright red blood may mean more consistent, steady flow. Darker red blood, or a light flow of brown to black blood, may indicate old blood, or a slower flow, meaning it takes longer for the menses to travel from your uterus out of your vagina. Pink-tinged discharge could mean there is not a large volume of blood.
It's normal to see period blood in pink, red, and brown colors. Consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about color changes in your period blood or if you experience unusual changes in your cycle.
Fresh blood at the beginning of your period is usually bright red. A heavy flow could be darker, especially with clots. Rusty brown blood is older; what you'll typically see toward the end of the week because the air has had a chance to react with it. Pinkish is probably just a light period.
The Takeaway
Remember – dark red, brown, and black period blood has simply oxidized or is older and should not be a cause for concern. If you have any concerns or are experiencing any other symptoms in tandem with your cycle, we recommend playing it safe and contacting your healthcare provider.
Black period blood has been associated with sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. Dark brown or black discharge is occasionally accompanied by other STI symptoms such as: Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Burning while urinating.
A. If you notice on heavy days of your period that blood seems extra-thick, and can sometimes form a jelly-like glob, these are menstrual clots, a mix of blood and tissue released from your uterus during your period. They can vary in size and color, and usually, they are nothing to worry about.
Your period can last between 2 and 7 days, but it will usually last for about 5 days. The bleeding tends to be heaviest in the first 2 days. When your period is at its heaviest, the blood will be red. On lighter days, it may be pink or brown.
The blood clots in your menstrual flow can seem especially slimy and almost jello-like because they combine coagulated blood (blood that is semi-solid, partially clotted), tissue, and blood that has not yet clotted. It is normal for people with periods to have more clots during the first couple of days of their cycle.
Blood that is dark purple or blue in color generally indicates high estrogen levels. In addition to its dark color, purple or blue blood usually also contains clots and lasts longer than a week. If left untreated, high estrogen levels can lead to the development of endometriosis, fibroids, or ovarian cysts.
Women who have very dark menstrual blood may have trouble conceiving and can be at risk for clotting issues that can harm the placenta during pregnancy. If a person has any further symptoms, they should consult a doctor. If a person is experiencing other symptoms, they must speak to a doctor.”
Grey. Grey period blood is usually a sign of an infection, like bacterial vaginosis. 'It may be harder to identify this blood colour, so I would recommend you look out for other signs of infection, such as a foul-smelling vaginal odour, a burning sensation when you pee and itching in and around the vagina.
Blood may look black if it sat in the uterus or vagina for a while. This can happen at the beginning or end of a period or could be related to a blockage. Very dark, heavy bleeding that looks gritty or has a lot of clumps could be a sign of a miscarriage or another condition (3).
Oxygenated (arterial) blood is bright red, while dexoygenated (venous) blood is dark reddish-purple.
Darkened blood color is often observed in critically ill patients generally because of decreased oxygen saturation, but little is known about the other factors responsible for the color intensity. In addition, quantitative blood color examination has not been performed yet.
This is typically due to the presence of iron in the blood and is not usually a cause for concern. However, it should not persist much longer after the period ends. Rotten - This type of smell is often due to a foreign body, such as a tampon, left in the vagina for too long.
Heavy bleeding is not normal and may need treatment if: You have to change your tampon or pad more than once every 1 to 2 hours. Your period lasts more than 7 days. You or a family member have a problem with blood clotting.
Longer cycles are an indicator that ovulation is not occurring or at least not in a regular manner which can make conception difficult. What Causes Long Menstrual Cycles? Longer cycles are caused by a lack of regular ovulation. During a normal cycle, it is the fall of progesterone that brings upon bleeding.
Because a healthy period is one that lasts for four to seven days, is bright red, with no cramping, acne or mood swings. Period.