What Does the Color of Your Period Mean?

Most of us probably don’t give the rosy-toned rainbow in our undies a second thought anymore. After years of having a period, we know what’s up — between blood clots, lumps, weird textures, and... okay, you get it.

However, knowing what’s going on with your body is an essential part of understanding the reproductive health system, and being an active participant in your menstrual cycle is a very simple but enlightening step.

There are a number of things the color and consistency of your menstrual blood could be indicating, and quite a few factors influence the shade, including your personal diet, hormone levels, sexual health, and even stress.

So next time you’re switching out your tampon or changing into a fresh pair of Thinx, take a look. Here’s what some of those period blood colors could mean:

millennial pink period blood

Lighter brigh red blood, as you can probably guess, often appears when your period is first starting or ending. It’s hue is typically due to the dilution of new, red blood with your cervical fluid.

Pink period blood might also be the norm if you’re on a low-estrogen hormonal birth control, which also causes some mid-cycle spotting.

kool-aid or bright red period blood

This tropical-colored stuff represents the new kid on the block. If you only have bright red periods, that is totally normal. It just means that your uterus is shedding at a quicker rate. You go-getter, you!

If you’ve had rough or adventurous sex recently (meow), you may notice some bright red spotting in between periods, which is a sign that your cervix is still recovering.

cranberry or dark red period blood

Dark red period blood is pretty run-of-the-mill — it’s typically an indication that your body is in good health and goin’ with the flow.

However, it might seem obvious, but bleeding like you’re on your period when you’re *not* on your menstrual cycle should definitely be flagged. If you’ve ruled out irregular periods, you should have a chat with your doctor about any out-of-the-ordinary heavy bleeding. Some causes could be infections, fibroids, or even pregnancy, all of which are manageable with a health professional’s help.

wine-colored or brown period blood

You’ve probably noticed that towards the end of your cycle, your blood tends to come out darker. Blood changes color based on how long it is exposed to oxygen, so brown (and even close to black) period blood indicates that your uterine lining is just taking its time. Darker breakthrough bleeding could also be a sign of low progesterone, which means your menstrual period may come sooner than you’re anticipating. Listen to your body’s warnings!

Young people who are still experiencing first and early periods, as well as those approaching menopause, also sometimes experience brown discharge in between periods. It’s usually no cause for concern, but your gynecologist will want to hear if you experience any other symptoms like a fever, pain, or bleeding after sex — those could be signs something else is amiss.

orange period blood

Yeah, this actually happens. I know. WTF. Anyway, if your toilet paper looks like it was swiped across—just imagine the joke I could make about 45 right here—I feel like I don’t have to spell it out for you any further: give your gyno a visit.

A, shall we say, *Trumpian-hue* down there can be an early indicator of a sexually transmitted or bacterial infection, especially if you also notice a different smell. It could also be a combo of blood and cervical fluid. Def best to check what’s going on with a professional, and take care of your sexual health ladies!

grey period blood

I feel like I shouldn’t have to translate this one either — call your doctor!

Combined with other symptoms like a fever, itchiness, or foul odor, your body could be warning you about an infection you need to get taken care of. Grey discharge can also be a sign of miscarriage.

period flow and consistency

Different colors aren't the only thing you should keep an eye out for.

Consistencies of period blood can vary, too. When you’re having a heavier flow, it might be kind of like thick egg whites or jelly—a kind that’s probably not fit for breakfast. When you’re dealing with a quick, light flow, you’re more likely to see thin red wine-esque liquid (that’s probably not fit for happy hour).

The only consistency you should really worry about is if you see anything that looks like body tissue floating around in that bowl. It could be a sign of miscarriage. That’s when you will want to talk to a doctor.

At the end of the day, you know your period flow better than anyone else. Those bright red, deep crimsons, and even inky brown colored bleedings are usually just your uterus doing its thing. But if you start seeing color that looks a bit off (we're looking at you, orange and gray), it might be time for a quick chat with your gyno about your menstrual and reproductive health.

What any interesting hues have you noticed down there? How did you figure out what was going on? Share with us in the comments!

Toni Brannagan is a writer and was the former Copy and Content Manager at Thinx.