The colour of your period blood is telling you something, today in this post we are going to understand what each period blood colour means from bright red to brown to black and the myths surrounding the period blood colours.
I am sure most of the people with vagina have noticed that at the beginning of their period they'll notice very light bleeding maybe a spot of blood and the colour of this blood could be pink or brown and this is telling them guess who's here, the period.
As the flow increases you notice that the blood is red and three to four days later the flow starts reducing and you notice the blood becomes brown and there are big chunks of cloths. Towards the end the blood is very heavy and it starts becoming black in colour.
So from this you can pick that the blood is not always red in colour. Let's discuss the different colours of your period blood and what they mean.
1. Pink Period Blood
Let's start with colour pink. It is common to notice pink blood towards the beginning of your period. Pink period blood is usually associated with light flow. This means that the flow is so light and that the blood has mixed up with cervical mucus and vaginal fluid and has been diluted. Pink period blood could also be caused by low oestrogen levels.
When the levels of oestrogen are low your periods become lighter and hence the blood is more diluted. So actually low oestrogen levels do not necessarily make the blood pink they just make the blood light hence the blood is more diluted and hence it is pink.
2. Brown Period Blood
What about brown colour? Towards the end of your period the blood flow has reduced so the blood is taking much more time to move from the uterus to the vagina and to the outside. This blood mixes with oxygen changing its colour from red to brown.
Have you noticed that when you're on your periods and you're just lying down and then you stand upright you will feel like the blood is pouring especially in the first days when the flow is so heavy? This is because when you lie down blood is not flowing and so it pulls or collects inside the vagina and while it is inside the vagina it gets oxidised hence the brown colour.
3. Black Period Blood
What about black colour? Sometimes you may notice black period blood. Towards the end of your period and the blood flow has reduced a lot you may notice black clots or blackish blood. This is old blood.
By old I am not saying blood from your last cycle. I mean blood that has taken time to be expelled from the uterus and has been oxidised to black. Most of the time this blood comes in form of clot because it has changed its form from liquid state to jelly-like or it can be the lining of the uterus that is being shed and it is coming out in these huge chunks of clots.
When you try to squeeze the blood, you will actually notice that on the inside it is actually not black but it is dark red. Sometimes the blood is actually red but by the time you go to change your pad it has already been oxidised and you see it black in colour.
Black period blood could also indicate blockage of the vagina. This could be caused maybe by a tissue or a vaginal septum blocking the vaginal opening and hence reducing blood flow. Hence now the blood flow collects inside the vagina but this is accompanied by significant signs such as pain and swelling.
4. Red Period Blood
What about red colour? When do you notice red period blood colour? During the first days of your period blood is just flowing so the blood flow is steady. It is not collecting inside the uterus or the vagina and hence is not getting mixed up with oxygen so it is bright red in colour.
Common Myths Associated With Period Blood Colours
But what are some of the common myths that people have out there about period blood colour? One very common myth is that every time you see red blood you are on your period and that is completely normal.
Imagine no? Red blood does not necessarily mean that you are on your period. There are other causes of red vaginal bleeding such as bleeding due to bruising during sexual intercourse, known as postcoital bleeding, spotting in between menses, maybe due to ovulation or a contraceptive, ectopic pregnancy or uterine polyps.
Another myth is that when you see pink blood you are pregnant. While pink blood could indicate implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall, something we call implantation bleeding, it could indicate other things such as spotting, light flow, the beginning of your period or use of a contraceptive.
Another myth is that period blood should only be red. Nope, the colour depends on the flow and how long the blood has been in the uterus.
Another myth is that clots are abnormal. Actually, small clots in the menstrual blood should not be a cause for alarm or a cause for concern but if they are very large and accompanied by heavy bleeding then you should see your doctor.
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