What Does Your Period Say About Your Health?

By: Athena Alexander 

The most important thing to understand before analyzing your period is that there is no such thing as a normal period. Everyone experiences a period differently. There are so many factors that affect periods that cannot be changed, such as genetics, weight, or medical issues. When trying to understand how your period reflects your health, it is more important to remember to only compare your period to your past periods. 

The average length of a period is 3-7 days and can include symptoms such as headaches, bloating, cramping, breast tenderness, food cravings, mood swings, and fatigue. During this time, the color of blood, texture, and flow frequently change as well. Some people experience longer or shorter periods, with all of these symptoms or none of them! After a few years of having a period, you can define what a “normal” period means to them.  

After understanding what a regular period means to you, effects such as changes in color, flow, and symptoms could reflet an underlying issue. 

Different Colors of Blood 

• Black 

Black does not necessarily mean something bad is happening. This could be old blood that is taking a little time to leave the uterus. If this is something that is not normal to see, it could be a sign of a miscarriage if not on your period. 

• Brown 

Brown discharge or blood may also be old blood that has had time to oxidize. It is most common o occur at the beginning or end of a period. It is also normal to see in the lochia bleeding during the 4-6 weeks after giving birth to a child. Spotting during a pregnancy that is brown may be a sign of a missed miscarriage where the child is lost but has not passed through the uterus. 

• Bright Red 

During a period, this is a sign of fresh flowing blood! If you are not on your period, experiencing bright red blood may be a sign of infection. 

• Pink  

Pink blood can appear at the beginning or end of a period, mostly when spotting. However, more consistent instances of pink blood may reflect low levels of estrogen. Pink blood also occurs during the aftermath of a miscarriage. 

• Orange 

Similar to pink blood, orange blood can happen during the spotting of the beginning or end of a period. If you continue to see orange blood, this may be a sign of an STI. 

• Gray 

Gray blood is not a normal color to see. If you see gray blood or discharge, this is a sign of an infection. 

If any of these colors are not normal during your period, the best idea is to see a doctor and receive a professional diagnosis. 

Abnormal Flows 

Everyone has a different definition of how heavy, frequent, and long-lasting their flow is. Many people experience spotting at the beginning or end of their period, bleeding after intercourse, menopausal bleeding, and heavy or light bleeding. Again, the best way to know what is abnormal is to understand what is normal for you. 

However, if you are not used to experiencing consistent spotting, random heavier or lighter flows, or bleeding in-between period cycles, this may be a sign of something else within the body. Some of the more common reasons for abnormal periods are blood clotting, uterine abnormalities, infection, miscarriage, pregnancy, or other medical conditions that affect your hormonal or body levels, such as diabetes, cirrhosis, or thyroid disorder. 

If abnormal bleeding is not consistent, it may just be a result of stress or high levels of physical activity. If you feel that something may be off, it is always best to go to a doctor to get an expert opinion. 

Creating the Best Environment Possible for Your Period 

To keep your sensitive anatomy happy, it is best to purchase non-toxic period products. The vaginal area is very sensitive and changes in period color, flow, and duration may be a result of the use of unhealthy period products. 

UltuCup is a sustainable, reusable, and safe product to use during your period. UltuCup is made with medical-grade silicone and is free from BPA, latex, and plastic. The safe materials used to make this cup also help keep your pH balanced. When evaluating your period, UltuCup is the best way to collect and measure your flow! This makes understanding your period flow, duration, and color easier and accurate. Start using our product today to begin creating the most desirable period environment possible!