It’s also possible to become anemic or have low blood pressure after losing too much blood.
The Different Period Blood Colours and What They Mean
We’re going to talk about something that isn’t always easy to discuss but is important nonetheless: period blood. There are many different types of period blood out there, and it can be overwhelming to know what each one means.
If you are squeamish or would rather not see your period blood, you can opt for period pants with a black gusset or washable pads with grey or black top layers – as well as not seeing your uterine lining, you will also be saving money and the environment!
We’ve created this guide to help you understand the different colours and consistencies you may see during your menstrual cycle.
What do different colours of period blood mean?
Here’s our guide to what different colours of period blood mean:
Black Blood:
If you notice black period blood, don’t be alarmed, this colour is simply a sign that the blood is older and has taken longer to leave your body. It’s normal to see black discharge at the beginning or end of your period.
Brown or Dark Red Blood:
Brown or dark red period blood is also normal, as it is simply blood that has had time to oxidise. This brown blood can appear at any point during your period and is nothing to worry about.
Bright Red Blood:
Bright red period blood is what most people expect to see. This colour is a sign that the menstrual blood is fresh and flowing quickly. You can expect to see bright red blood at the start of your period and when it is heaviest. Uterine fibroids can cause heavy periods and this would show as fresh red blood.
Pink Blood:
If you notice pink period blood, it’s likely just a small amount of blood mixed with cervical mucus. This can occur with lighter period or when you’re nearing the end of your cycle.
If you have done a positive pregnancy test and have some bleeding that is brown or pink, whilst it is important to get checked out, don’t panic as it could be implantation bleeding.
Orange, Grey or Green Discharge:
These would be out of the ordinary, it could be a sign of infection or an underlying issue. We recommend speaking to Doctor if you experience any of these colours.They may be accompanied by a foul smell, irregular periods, or could be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection.
I was genuinely sceptical of these pants until I braved wearing them during a very heavy flow. The results were amazing. The blood and moisture dried very quickly and the pants themselves are just so comfortable.
Incredibly easy to wash and use again and again. I will be buying another couple of pairs and I will be encouraging my friends to do the same! Megan trustpilot Feb ’20
What do different consistencies of period blood mean?
Hormone levels – especially estrogen levels – can affect your period blood colour and consistency. Here’s what different consistencies of period blood mean:
Clots:
It’s normal to see small blood clots during your period, but large clots could be a sign of a larger issue. If you notice clots that are larger than a 10 pence piece, speak to your GP.
Washable knickers and reusable pads deal with clots really well, they absorb the fluid and any residue can be wiped away when you next go to the toilet.
Watery or Thin:
Watery or thin period blood is nothing to worry about. This can occur during a light period or at the beginning or end of your cycle.
Jelly:
If you notice a jelly-like consistency to your period blood, it could be a sign of cervical mucus mixing with blood. This is nothing to worry about and can happen at any point during your cycle.
Stringy:
Stringy period blood is also normal and can happen when your period is light or when you are nearly finished your period. This consistency is nothing to worry about.
“I bought these period pants from cheeky wipes as it’s my first time trying them and they were the cheapest I could find.
I wanted to try an environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and my menstrual cup. I used them the main day of my period and whilst blood being collected outside of my body took a little bit of getting used to the cheeky wipes did a great job.
They are super comfortable and I felt protected all day.” Mrs Deborah Hill June ’22 trustpilot
We hope this guide has helped you better understand the different colours and types of period blood. Remember, it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your menstrual cycle and speak to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
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You can browse all our blogs here.
As always, if you’re unsure of what you need to make the switch to reusable sanitary products and period pads, please do drop the team a line or use the online chat function. The team all use the products themselves and just LOVE to chat pee poo and periods, all day long, nothing is TMI and we all love to overshare based on our own experiences.
About the Author: Kirstin Scriven is part of the Customer Experience team at Cheeky Wipes, which since 2008 has been selling the original reusable wipes kit. She is mum to 3 and loves the forest, the sea and the hills!
Along with the rest of our crack team, she spends most days talking about poo, pee and periods and loves a chance to overshare. The business was recognised with a Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2021, celebrating their hard work over the last 13 years.
Period Blood Clots: Should You Be Concerned?
Having a period is normal. And while a menstruation cycle can vary in length, amount and frequency, menstrual blood clots (or sometimes referred to as period clots) can be a scary thing when you see them.
Most blood clots during periods are also normal, but if you experience large blood clots during your period and notice changes in your menstrual cycle, it may be time to talk to a healthcare provider.
Ob/Gyn Salena Zanotti, MD, further discusses period blood clots, what they mean and when you need to be treated.
Are blood clots during your period normal?
You may be wondering: “I’m having jelly-like blood clots during my period, is that normal?”
Most menstrual blood clots are normal. At the beginning and the end of your cycle, they may appear bright red. Because your flow is moving quickly, the blood doesn’t have time to darken. You may also see dark red or maroon clots during the first few days of your period when your flow is the heaviest.
What causes period clots?
During menstruation, the hormones in your body cause the lining of your uterus to begin shedding. During that process, small blood vessels bleed. To prevent your body from losing too much blood, plasma and platelets work together to form blood clots.
“Blood clots will form anytime you have a certain amount of blood that just sits there,” Dr. Zanotti explains. “Blood clots are supposed to happen to some degree, like when you cut yourself. But with period clots, what happens is, if you’re having a good amount of bleeding, it collects inside your uterus and as it sits there, it will make a clot.
“You may feel a clot if you’ve been in bed or been sitting and then you stand up,” she continues. “A clot will either come out then or when you go to the bathroom.”
Your cervix has to dilate in order to pass big blood clots during your period. The pain can be strong. If you have a heavy flow and experience cramping, this is partially why you have pain.
When to be concerned about period blood clots
What if you have a heavy period with clots?
If you have heavy menstrual bleeding, it can be serious. But Dr. Zanotti says it also depends on each situation. Providers will consider the size and frequency.
“You may have really small clots that might be a dime-size or a quarter-size during your period and that’s normal for you,” she says. “It’s problematic if you’re passing golf ball-sized clots and passing them every couple of hours.”
You should also be concerned if you must change your pad or tampon about every hour.
“You may have heavy bleeding if you’re soaking through your pad in an hour and it happens for a couple of hours in a row,” Dr. Zanotti notes. “That’s a significant amount of bleeding.”
It’s also possible to become anemic or have low blood pressure after losing too much blood.
“If heavy bleeding happens once during a cycle and it’s not repetitive, that’s not so concerning,” Dr. Zanotti clarifies. “You have to look at the pattern of how frequently it’s happening and how long it’s actually lasting.”
Could your huge blood clots during your period be caused by something else?
Many conditions can cause someone to have abnormally large blood clots or experience a heavier flow than normal. Some include:
- Thyroid disease.
- Uterine polyps.
- Uterine fibroids.
- A bleeding disorder.
- Cancer in your uterus or cervix.
If you’re pregnant and experience blood clots, contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room. You may be having a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening.
When to see a doctor
Period blood clots are a normal part of your menstrual cycle. But when you notice any changes to the size and amount, it could point to an underlying condition. When speaking to your provider, be prepared with the following information:
- How long your period usually lasts.
- How heavy your usual flow is.
- If you’ve been bleeding between periods.
- If you’ve noticed changes over time.
- If you’ve been experiencing pain.
- If there’s a chance you might be pregnant.
- A list of medications you’re currently on.
- A list of other medical conditions.
Expect your provider to do a pelvic exam. They may also want to do a blood test, a pap test or an ultrasound during your visit.
Treatments of large clots
When it comes to treatment of large clots, after an exam and testing, your provider may prescribe the following based on the results, how severe the clots are and your other symptoms:
- Contraceptives (birth control).
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Tranexamic acid.
- Hormonal therapy.
- Surgery.
Bottom line?
Overall, Dr. Zanotti says if you’re concerned about whether blood clots are normal during your period, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider.
“Sometimes, you may just need reassurance about what you’re dealing with — that it may be OK and there’s nothing wrong,” she says. “It can be very common, and it can be managed. You don’t need to suffer and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”
