How To Understand Your Period Blood

Introduction

Your Period Blood is your monthly report card. It tells you everything you need to know about your body and menstrual cycle. It’s considered normal for your period blood to range from different shades of red to brown. Even in the later stages of life, it’s perfectly normal. For example, period blood may start off with red and turn into shades of brown or vice versa.

In this article we talk about the different shades of period blood, its reason and what it indicates for women.

Why does the period blood changes colour?

The reason your period blood frequently/rarely changes colour is because of oxygen present inside your body. Oxygen when in contact with blood has a property to oxidise it and the resultant chemical reaction changes your period blood colour. The rule of thumb is: the longer blood stays in your uterus, the more colour it will change.

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Changes in colour of period blood

1. Pink Blood: Pink blood is often seen during the start of periods. Red blood usually combines with vaginal discharge to produce a pinkish blood colour. Vaginal discharge is a mechanism via which fluids & cells are discharged by your vagina to keep it healthy, moist & free from infection.
2. Bright Red: This colour of blood is seen during the early days of the period when your uterus is actively discharging blood. The bright colour red indicates that blood has not been in your uterus for a long time.
3. Dark Red: The only difference between bright red & dark red blood is that dark red blood has been in your uterus for longer. It may present itself with clots – which are completely normal: unless the clots are bigger than the size of a rupee coin.
4. Brown or Black Blood: This kind of variation presents itself when blood stays in the uterus for a longer time. Black blood is nothing but dark red or dark brown blood which has been in your uterus for a long time and now appears black.

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When to consult a doctor?

It is established that change in color to red, brown or even pink, is considered normal. However, in case of these situations, consult your doctor at the earliest.

1. You are experiencing severe weakness, tiredness, dizziness or chest pain, difficulty in breathing or muscular pain.
2. Your cramps are lasting more than 7 days.
3. Your menstrual blood contains clots which are greater than the size of a rupee coin.
4. You are bleeding on your days off.
5. You are experiencing Irregular menstrual cycle or menstrual cycle more than 24 and less than 38 days.

What you can do to have better periods

Periods are a time of stress, pain & irritation. Granted, it won’t be the same experience for each & every girl, but in general one can use these products & methods to have a safe & better period.

1. Avoid toxic period products & menstrual cups. Use non-irritable tampons & pads.
2. Give yourself plenty of time to rest. Keep your favorite food or snack with you, by your side as something to munch on.
3. Keep yourself hydrated with water & herbal teas.

Related: Everything you need to know about periods.

About Ioza Learning:

Educating young girls & boys about periods is an absolute necessity in this day & age and in this country. To eliminate period taboo and sensitize boys against the monthly pain of girls, it is absolutely essential to impart this valuable education. We provide parents all over the world with affordable and world-class live hobby classes for their child. In India, Ioza Learning is the largest provider of Live Online Classes with Certificate on Sexual & Menstrual health for ages 8 to 18. Be a part of this powerful education, here

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