Period blood color changes

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Period blood color changes

Period blood can change in color over the course of your cycle, and can range from bright red, to pink, to brown, and more.

If you drop trou on your period and see anything but red, don't panic. Period blood isn't always red, and different colors of blood can mean lots of things.

Different blood colors aren't usually a cause for concern. But occasionally, they may be a sign of something that warrants a visit with a healthcare professional.

From bright red to black, and every other color in between, we spill the goods on what each might mean and what (if anything) to do about it.

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What does brown period blood mean?
Brown discharge is usually old blood that's had time to oxidize, which is why the different hue. It can be associated with a few things:

The beginning or end of your period
The flow of blood is slower at the start and end of your period, meaning it takes longer to exit your body. The longer it sits in your body, the more time it has to oxidize, causing it to turn brown. In some cases, brown blood could even be left over from your previous period.

Pregnancy
Brown blood or spotting can be a sign of implantation bleeding, which is an early sign of pregnancy. It usually occurs around 10 to 14 days after conception.

Some other signs and symptoms of implantation are:

mild cramps
swollen breasts
nausea
vomiting
Lochia
Lochia is postpartum bleeding that occurs for the first four to six weeks after giving birth.

This bleeding usually starts out heavy and turns pinkish or brown around day four.

Missed miscarriage
Miscarriage is usually associated with bright red bleeding, but some people experience what's called a missed miscarriage, or sometimes a "missed abortion" or "silent miscarriage".

With a missed miscarriage, the fetus stops developing but doesn't pass out of the uterus for at least 4 weeks. There isn't heavy bleeding, only dark brown spotting or bleeding.

Any bleeding during pregnancy warrants a visit to your healthcare professional.

Perimenopause
Fluctuations in estrogen levels during perimenopause affect the lining of your uterus. This can cause changes to your flow's frequency, texture, and color, including brown period blood or spotting at different times during your cycle.

The brown blood is usually just blood and uterine tissue that's taking its time making its way out of you.

Perimenopause symptoms can range from mild to severe. Along with changes in your period, you can also experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep problems.

FYI, the average age to go through menopause is 51, but perimenopause can start as early as your 30s.

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