Skip to main content
Close Close

Congratulations
You're on the list.

Make sure to check your spam folder so that our emails are always delivered into your inbox.
xo, Kourt
Give your inbox
and your life

the Poosh it needs.
By clicking SIGN UP, you agree to receive emails from Poosh and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Free Shipping on All Domestic Orders.
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KMK
Poosh
  • Poosh Your Wellness
  • instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
  • Shop
  • search
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Wellness
  • soul
Why You Should Write Your Fears Down First Thing in the Morning
Why You Should Write Your Fears Down First Thing in the Morning
The Best Position (for Most Women) to Have Internal Orgasms
The Best Position (for Most Women) to Have Internal Orgasms
Tough-Love Dating Advice
Tough-Love Dating Advice
What to Eat and Avoid: The Acne Edition
What to Eat and Avoid: The Acne Edition
Do You Have An Anxious Attachment Style?
Do You Have An Anxious Attachment Style?
How to Activate The Pelvic Floor To Optimize Your Workouts
How to Activate The Pelvic Floor To Optimize Your Workouts
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
Self-Growth Hack: Small Ways to Hold Yourself Accountable
Self-Growth Hack: Small Ways to Hold Yourself Accountable
Summer Dresses You Can Wear Into Fall 
Summer Dresses You Can Wear Into Fall 
The Poosh 30-Day Mask Challenge 
The Poosh 30-Day Mask Challenge 
The Surprising Benefits of Buccal Facial Massage
The Surprising Benefits of Buccal Facial Massage
Under $50: How to Organize Your Pantry Like a Kardashian
Under $50: How to Organize Your Pantry Like a Kardashian
Chestne Hacks Everyone Should Know
Chestne Hacks Everyone Should Know
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
Inside Kendall Jenner’s Stunning Bathroom
Inside Kendall Jenner’s Stunning Bathroom
Strawberry Oat Milk Iced Coffee Recipe
Strawberry Oat Milk Iced Coffee Recipe
How to Make Pineapple + Banana Vegan Whip
How to Make Pineapple + Banana Vegan Whip
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Baked Oats
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Baked Oats
The Easiest Cucumber Salad for Summer
The Easiest Cucumber Salad for Summer
2-Ingredient Oat Tortillas Recipe
2-Ingredient Oat Tortillas Recipe
  • family
  • kourtney
Why Kourtney Drinks Beet Juice Every Morning Before Her Workout 
Why Kourtney Drinks Beet Juice Every Morning Before Her Workout 
Kourt’s Matcha Protein Bites
Kourt’s Matcha Protein Bites
The Kravis Guide to Eating Vegan in LA
The Kravis Guide to Eating Vegan in LA
Kourt’s No-Makeup Glow Routine
Kourt’s No-Makeup Glow Routine
Penelope’s 10th Birthday Details
Penelope’s 10th Birthday Details
The Most Helpful Things Kourt Has Learned Since Having COVID Again
The Most Helpful Things Kourt Has Learned Since Having COVID Again
What are you looking for?

Menu

  • Shop
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • Sexual Wellness
    • soul
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • KMK
    • family
    • kourtney
  • LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • Poosh Your Wellness
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
health

What Your Different PERIOD BLOOD COLORS MEAN

By Poosh
share on pinterest share on facebook share on twitter Share on Flipboard share by email
 Photo credit @ali_tate_cutler
@ali_tate_cutler

Our menstrual cycle culminates in our monthly bleed, but we realize it’s not just blood. Our entire cycle, from follicular (post-bleed) to ovulatory to luteal to menstrual, is a hormonal journey within our body to shed our uterine lining, preparing us for a new month of possibility … or not. So what’s with the various mystery shades, and what do they mean? Heather Bartos, MD, host of The ME Spot podcast, is here to tell us that it’s totally normal and we’re not dying. 

“Blood can change in color and texture from month to month or even during a single period,” Dr. Bartos explains.

“Hormonal changes, as well as a person’s diet, lifestyle, age, and environment, can all cause variations in period blood. These can all be normal! Period blood can vary from bright red to dark brown according to changes in flow. Infections (ahem, looking at you, COVID), pregnancy, and, in rare cases, cervical cancer can cause unusual blood color or irregular bleeding.”

Super dark red

“Dark, nearly black blood can appear at the beginning or end of a period, usually because it’s old blood that has taken longer to leave the uterus and has had time to oxidize (lazy blood),” Dr. Bartos shares. 

Brown or dark red

“Brownish dark red, or as I like to call it ‘burgundy’ (sounds more French, mais oui?). More old blood. Like black blood, brown or dark red is a sign of old blood, and it may appear at the beginning or end of a period.” 

OK, so different levels of age and oxidation affect the color, we get that. However, there can be a caveat. Not to frighten anyone, but being aware of our cycles and choices throughout our cycles keeps up proactive, as Dr. Bartos also tells us that “brown blood, or spotting, can sometimes also be an early sign of pregnancy that we doctors refer to as implantation bleeding.”

Bright red

“Fresh as a daisy! Bright red blood indicates fresh blood and a steady flow. A period may start with bright red bleeding and darken toward the end of the period. Some may find that their blood stays bright red throughout their period.”  

Pink

“Think scant blood or diluted blood. Pink blood or spotting can occur when period blood mixes with cervical fluid.” This can occur before, during, or after sex, or if there is any kind of pH imbalance causing excess discharge. Dr. Bartos also shares that using any hormonal birth control can lower estrogen levels in the body, which can lead to a lighter flow with a pinkish hue during periods. 

Orange

“Blood that mixes with cervical fluid can also appear orange. Orange blood or discharge often indicates an infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. People with orange blood should check for other tell-tale symptoms, such as vaginal itching, discomfort, and foul-smelling discharge.”

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the interviewee only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.

Up next, be the first to know our weekly content and sign up for our Poosh newsletter.

You may also like...

Go to article Glucose: 5 Simple Hacks to Curb Cravings
health

Glucose: 5 Simple Hacks to Curb Cravings

Go to article How Well-Rounded Is Your Life?
health

How Well-Rounded Is Your Life?

Related Articles

Goes to article What to Eat and Avoid: The Acne Edition
beauty

What to Eat and Avoid: The Acne Edition

Goes to article Do Allergies Get Worse as We Age?
health

Do Allergies Get Worse as We Age?

Goes to article Why Kourtney Drinks Beet Juice Every Morning Before Her Workout 
kourtney

Why Kourtney Drinks Beet Juice Every Morning Before Her Workout 

Goes to article The Somatic Benefits of Shaking
health

The Somatic Benefits of Shaking

Goes to article How to Make Your Salad Less Sad
health

How to Make Your Salad Less Sad

Goes to article Your Essential Mineral Cheat Sheet
health

Your Essential Mineral Cheat Sheet

Goes to article Do You Own a Weighted Blanket Yet?
body

Do You Own a Weighted Blanket Yet?

Goes to article Am I Hungry or Just Bored? 
health

Am I Hungry or Just Bored? 

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Reviewed by Accessible360
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved