The Color of Your Menstrual Blood – What Does Your Body Tell You?

We all know that it is not blue :) Most people associate it with shame (and shame can be toxic, which you can read about here ) and the never-ending fear of leakage, which is why many people deliberately give up physical activity on "those days". In many cultures of the world, menstruation is something shameful and menstruating people are excluded from participating in celebrations or religious meetings on bleeding days. In less economically developed countries (such as India), the issue of access to personal protection and hygiene is also problematic, which in turn is a catalyst for social and educational problems.

What does menstrual fluid consist of?

During the menstrual cycle, the endometrium builds additional layers to accommodate and allow implantation of a fertilized egg. If fertilization does not occur, the upper layers of the uterine lining shed, resulting in vaginal bleeding .

Menstrual fluid is not just blood. When the endometrium thickens, it stores nutrients. Menstrual blood is just one element of menstrual fluid – it is also made up of cells from the lining of the uterus and cells from the vaginal epithelium.

How much blood is lost during menstruation?

There is a lot of information on the internet about this topic – not all of it is entirely accurate. That is why we wrote an article about how many milliliters of blood we lose during our period .

We already know that menstrual blood is just a component of menstrual fluid, so it is important what exactly we want to estimate. It is assumed that the norm for one period is 100 ml of menstrual fluid, containing about 30 to 50 ml of blood. However, some menstruating people have more abundant bleeding, while other times the period may be exceptionally scanty. So there is no one universal rule and something that is standard for some people, for others sometimes means an ongoing anomaly or infection in the body - that is why it is worth listening to your body!

The best way to measure your period yourself is to use a menstrual cup . It is much easier to calculate how much menstrual fluid you are actually releasing than, for example, trying to estimate it using pads .

Period Blood Color – What Does It Mean?

The color of menstrual blood is a very important factor in determining the health of menstruating people.

What information does the color of menstrual blood carry?

• Orange - no worries! Blood mixes with cervical mucus, which is why vaginal discharge sometimes has a light orange color. If it appears at the time of the expected period, then there is a possibility of embryo implantation and it may be a symptom of early pregnancy.
• Pink - Blood of this color usually indicates a scanty period, but light-colored blood can also indicate low estrogen levels. The causes of this condition can be various: poor diet, polycystic ovary syndrome , or the onset of menopause . People who lead very active lifestyles may also notice light pink bleeding, as intense physical exercise (and the accompanying loss of body fat) can lower the levels of this hormone in the body.
• Light red - for most people, menstrual blood in the first few days of menstruation is this color because it flows quickly from the birth canal. Light red bleeding is usually a sign that the body is functioning properly.
• Brown - Brown spotting may also appear in the initial phase of bleeding (i.e. in the first days of your period), as well as at its end, because the blood flows slower and accumulates in the genital tract.
• Black - dark brown discharge or black menstrual blood does not necessarily indicate illness or hormonal problems. Often it is simply blood that has been sitting in the uterus for a long time. In addition, bleeding of this color can indicate too high estrogen levels, which should be discussed with a doctor, as it can lead to further health problems.
• Gray - bleeding of this color should be consulted with a doctor as soon as possible. Blood of this color may be a sign of bacterial infection, but in some cases it may also indicate a miscarriage (in this case the intensity of the bleeding is also important).

It is worth remembering that the color of menstrual blood can change during the cycle . These changes are normal and in most cases do not require medical intervention. However, if the color of menstrual blood worries you and your period is different than usual, you may want to consider having tests done and consulting a specialist.

Also see the article " What is the difference between withdrawal bleeding and menstruation? "

Does menstrual blood have an odor?

Proper hygiene during menstruation is extremely important . Thanks to it, any smell of blood during menstruation is imperceptible to our surroundings. It is therefore worth checking not only the color, but also the smell of menstrual blood, because it can also be a signal indicating, for example, an ongoing intimate infection. Menstrual fluid in a healthy body may have a slightly metallic smell of blood, which is completely normal - this is due to the iron contained in its composition. Any other unpleasant smell may indicate an infection or be the result of improper intimate hygiene.

• A rotten smell - this can occur if you wear the same pad or tampon inside your vagina for too long. In such a case, you should remove the product from your body as soon as possible, after washing your intimate area with a gentle liquid.

Safe for both you and the environment - these are the products you will find in the Your KAYA offer. Among them is a liquid whose main ingredients are aloe, allantoin and lactic acid - necessary to maintain the proper vaginal pH. Give it a chance - and it will pay you back with the highest form of tenderness and protection, not only during menstruation.

• Fishy smell - if you notice it during bleeding, it is worth consulting a doctor. This is one of the symptoms of a bacterial vaginal infection (which often appears together with itching or irritation of the intimate areas).
• Salty smell of sweat - is usually associated with improper intimate hygiene. It is worth remembering that the inside of the vaginal canal cleans itself, maintaining the right pH - however, it is mandatory to wash the vulva and the vaginal vestibule every day. Attention, not only during the period! During menstruation, it should be done much more often, but hygiene of intimate areas should be an important point of every bathroom routine of people with a vagina.

You can learn more about this topic from our article: Unpleasant vaginal odor – what can it mean?

When should you consult a doctor?

In addition to the previously mentioned anomalies related to the color and smell of menstrual blood, it is also worth paying attention to its clarity and texture.

• If your menstrual blood is watery and the bleeding itself is heavy, in some cases this may indicate anemia. It is worth observing whether this condition persists during subsequent periods and consulting a doctor to determine any deficiencies. In addition, watery blood is sometimes a symptom of ovarian or fallopian tube cancer.
• Clots in menstrual blood can be a symptom of, among other things, an endometrial polyp, submucosal fibroid or intramural endometrial leiomyoma; in some cases, it can also indicate low progesterone levels and high estrogen levels. These are usually not dangerous changes to health, but if there are a large number of clots in the blood, it is worth having specialist tests performed.
• If your period is mucusy and slippery than usual, there is no need to worry. As we have already established, menstrual fluid also consists of mucus produced in the uterus. Some women produce more cervical mucus, others less - this is not an anomaly or a medical condition.
• In addition, the absence of menstruation or its irregularity, as well as any painful symptoms , are something that is always worth consulting with a gynecologist.

Blood is not as scary as it seems – literally! :) Artists and activists like Natalia Wieretienow, who paints pictures with menstrual blood, want to draw attention to the unjust stigma and taboo surrounding menstrual blood. Remember: listen to what your body is telling you, observe it and draw conclusions. We hope that our little compendium of knowledge about menstrual blood will help you feel more confident and dispel any doubts you may have during your next period.