Bright Red Blood
This usually indicates the very start of your cycle. Your uterine lining is shedding, and fast – this usually comes with the unpleasant cramps. In very rare cases this could indicate a ruptured ovarian cyst or miscarriage, vary rare cases ladies, so don’t go getting your knickers in a knot.
Dark Red Blood
This means your blood has been around for longer. This colour blood appears at the end of your cycle due to high estrogen levels, thick lining and a slower shedding rate (all completely normal).
Brown or Black Blood
This is most common at the very end of your period (light flow or spotting), it’s been stored up the longest.
Light-Coloured Spotting
If right before your period you notice light red or pink spotting this could indicate low estrogen levels. Hormonal issues can lead to other issues later in life (infrequent periods and dryness to name a few) head to your local GP or a gyno if they persist.
Orange Blood
If there is an orange tinge to your blood check for these signs to see if it’s a problem. A ‘slippery’ texture is normal but anything else – especially a bad smell, could be a sign that your blood has mixed with cervical fluids usually the indicator of an infection or STD. If you see this head to your GP or gyno to get it sorted as soon as possible.
Blood Clotting
This is pretty normal to see in your monthly flow, especially towards the end of your cycle. Throughout your period Protein Fibrin activates the platelets in your blood to clot it. If you notice white fibres in the clots don’t worry this is just one of the completely normal side effects. Do worry if you have an unusually high amount of clotting, this can signify a miscarriage – contact your doc if you are worried.
This usually indicates the very start of your cycle. Your uterine lining is shedding, and fast – this usually comes with the unpleasant cramps. In very rare cases this could indicate a ruptured ovarian cyst or miscarriage, vary rare cases ladies, so don’t go getting your knickers in a knot.
Dark Red Blood
This means your blood has been around for longer. This colour blood appears at the end of your cycle due to high estrogen levels, thick lining and a slower shedding rate (all completely normal).
Brown or Black Blood
This is most common at the very end of your period (light flow or spotting), it’s been stored up the longest.
Light-Coloured Spotting
If right before your period you notice light red or pink spotting this could indicate low estrogen levels. Hormonal issues can lead to other issues later in life (infrequent periods and dryness to name a few) head to your local GP or a gyno if they persist.
Orange Blood
If there is an orange tinge to your blood check for these signs to see if it’s a problem. A ‘slippery’ texture is normal but anything else – especially a bad smell, could be a sign that your blood has mixed with cervical fluids usually the indicator of an infection or STD. If you see this head to your GP or gyno to get it sorted as soon as possible.
Blood Clotting
This is pretty normal to see in your monthly flow, especially towards the end of your cycle. Throughout your period Protein Fibrin activates the platelets in your blood to clot it. If you notice white fibres in the clots don’t worry this is just one of the completely normal side effects. Do worry if you have an unusually high amount of clotting, this can signify a miscarriage – contact your doc if you are worried.
This article originally appeared on Women's Health.