All women of childbearing age, that is to say between puberty and menopause, have menstruation: loss of blood that is commonly called menstruation. This perfectly feminine and natural phenomenon is not dirty or impure. Moreover, observing their color can allow you to learn more about your state of health.
The periods or menstruation, are the elimination, at the end of an ovulatory cycle, of the interior wall of the uterus: the endometrium. More precisely, when a woman is not pregnant and therefore there has not been fertilization, the fall of hormones in the blood leads to an evacuation of the lining of the uterus. The contractions allow the endometrium to be expelled in the form of bleeding.
Blood discharge can change color, ranging from the lightest red to the darkest or even almost black. But what does the color of your period reveal? Should we be worried? Should I consult a doctor? Let’s go around the question on these 50 shades of red…
Red: the usual color?
The bright red color is a sign that the flow is going well. Menstrual blood is red when cleared immediately, indicating that all is well .
Sometimes the blood contains clots. If this is your case, don’t panic! Indeed, coagulation slows down the flow .
On the other hand, the loss of blood should not last too long. If your period lasts more than 8 days, consult your gynecologist .
Bordeaux or even brown means oxidation
The blood from your period can also be dark red, even burgundy verging on brown. It is the contact with the surrounding air that causes oxidation and explains why the blood takes on this dark hue.
This color usually appears when periods are light or when the cycle is nearing the end .
If the blood contains clots, it simply means that the endometrium has detached from the uterus a few hours before uterine contractions evacuate it . This phenomenon does not, in itself, have any worrying significance.
On the other hand, if you have dark colored bleeding outside of your period, make an appointment: it may be a fibroid .
Orange: watch out for odors
If there is orange-red blood loss, watch for the odor. If the latter is unusual, it may be a vaginal infection .
However, orange-colored discharge can also simply be from secretions from the cervix mixed with menstrual blood .
Clear, pink or reddish blood: pregnant or not?
If you have light red to pinkish bleeding, it may mean that you are at the start of your period: blood is mixed with regular discharge .
Pink or light red discharge can also mean that you are pregnant. Indeed, when the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining seven days after fertilization, small bleeding may occur. They are caused by the rupture of small blood vessels in the lining of the uterus .
During pregnancy , sometimes appear « anniversary rules » which are in fact small bleeding: nothing serious.
