)
Seeing blood that's not red coming from you or anyone can be alarming. Not only is it unexpected, but it also causes one to think that something very wrong is going on. Sometimes, that is true.
Period blood can be affected by various conditions and body changes which can give it different hues. Even the red hues can vary for different reasons. The good news is that none of these are dangerous.
Let's look at the different colours of period blood that are common and normal.
Red
)
)
)
This is the typical period blood. It shows that your flow is fresh and healthy. The colour may deepen towards the end of your days.
Dark red
Deep/dark red blood often means that the new flow has mingled with old blood. This blood can be seen at the start or end of the menstrual days.
Pink
Pink blood can signify two scenarios. It can means period blood has mixed with cervical mucus. Or it can signal anemia or come as a result of weight loss. You may also see a pink flow if you're on the pill.
)
Orange
Orange blood can be a mix of period blood and cervical mucus or a sign of BV if accompanied by abnormal symptoms such as odour and itching.
Brown
Brown blood is one of the signs of pregnancy if you are not expecting or experiencing your period. If it occurs within the time frame of your period, it can serve as a sign of old blood, especially at the start of the period. It can also appear as the period dwindles.
Black
This can also be a sign of old blood unless there are other symptoms like itching, rash, or burning. Seek medical attention if black period blood is accompanied by symptoms.
Grey
Grey blood is often a sign of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). This vaginal infection is caused by an overgrowth of vagina bacteria and can be accompanied by a fishy odour. Seek medical help if you experience a grey flow.
Other factors to consider
- The colour of the blood easily gets attention but here are other things to take note of:
- Excess bleeding in the form of unusually long days (beyond 8 days of bleeding)
- Blood loss from excessive bleeding (more than 50ml). This is when a period cup helps to determine if blood loss is within a healthy range.
- Changes in the cycle length (a period that comes beyond 35 days after the last)
- Get remedies for cramps, fatigue, bloating, headaches, bowel upset, and nausea.