Our periods are known as our fifth vital sign. They tell us so much about what is going on inside our bodies and can be an indicator of health issues we might not be aware of. Your cycle length can change if you’re stressed, you might experience more pain if you have an undiagnosed condition like endometriosis and the colour of the blood we see is also a great indicator of what’s happening inside of us.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s cycle and period are different, so you should try and get to know what is usual or unusual for you. However, here is a brief overview of what your period blood colour could mean for your health - and when you might want to see medical advice.
Bright Red Period Blood
What it probably means
Bright red blood is the colour we associate with our periods. You will usually see it at the start of your period or during your heaviest days. This is because it is the fresh lining of your uterus shedding and hasn’t had a chance to darken before leaving your body (more on that in a minute!). Bright red blood is a sign of a pretty healthy flow so there is no cause or concern here - we love to see it!
What it could mean
Whilst this colour of blood is normal during your period, if you are seeing it in between your periods it could be a sign of infection. Certain STIs can cause bleeding in between periods, so if you think you could have been exposed to an STI - or have tested negative for STIs but are still experiencing bleeding - go and speak to your doctor.
Dark red or brown period blood
What it probably means
Dark blood is basically old blood, You might notice this right at the start of your period, s it could be blood left over from your last cycle, or right at the end of your current period. This is nothing to worry about and usually occurs when your flow is slower.
What it could mean
There is a chance that dark red blood could be connected to PCOS. With PCOS if you experience irregular cycles, you might have a build-up of older blood that is staying in your uterus between periods. If you notice dark blood regularly and also experience other symptoms associated with PCOS - like acne or excessive hair growth - have a chat with your GP.
There’s also a tiny chance the darker blood could indicate pregnancy. Some people experience spotting around 2 weeks after fertilisation when the egg implants onto the walls of your uterus. This can be a pretty confusing time as implantation often occurs around the time you would expect to see your period, so the blood coupled with other symptoms of impanation, like light cramping and swollen breasts, can have you feeling pretty unsure about what is going on. If in doubt, it’s always worth taking a pregnancy test.
Black Period Blood
What it probably means
Black period blood is more common than you may think, and it’s not as concerning as it sounds. Similarly to dark red or brown period blood, black blood is usually just old blood that was left behind from your previous period.
What it could mean
There is a chance that black blood could be a sign of vaginal blockage - although this is pretty rare. A vaginal blockage is caused by an object - like a condom or tampon - becoming stuck in the vaginal canal. However, if you are experiencing a blockage, black blood likely won't be the only sign. You will probably have a fever, discharge that doesn’t smell right and could also have burning or irritation when going to the toilet. If you experience any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your doctor ASAP.
Pink Period Blood
What it probably means
Pink period b; blood could mean a couple of things - and it’s not that your Uterus is jumping on the Barbie-core trend. If you find pink blood around the time your period is due, it’s probably just some light spotting. This is also quite common for women on hormonal contraception, as you could be having a ‘withdrawal bleed’ rather than a real period. However, if you notice pink blood around the midpoint of your cycle, it could be a sign of ovulation. Around 5% of women experience this and it’s nothing to worry about, it’s probably just some old blood mixing with the increased cervical mucus in your vagina and cervical mucus during your fertile window.
What it could mean
Some conditions have mid-cycle spotting as one of their signs. Fibroids, infections and in some cases, cervical cancer, have all got ‘spotting’ on their symptoms list. But don’t panic. If you are only getting light pink spotting the chances that you have any major health concerns are low, However, if spotting is accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, pain during sex or extreme weight loss, we recommend speaking to your GP. T
Grey Period Blood
What it probably means
While all these other colours can generally be explained as some form of period blood, grey is harder to explain. If you are finding greyish blood or discharge at any point during your cycle, go and speak to a doctor. It could be a sign of infections - such as bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is when the bad bacteria in your vagina get overgrown and starts to overtake the good bacteria. Keep a look out for other symptoms like pain during sex or when you pee, or a fever. If you have BV, don’t panic - it can usually be treated with a simple course of antibiotics!