Menstrual Blood – What Your Menses Can Tell You About Your Health

23 Sep 2019

You may have noticed that the colour and/or consistency of your period blood changes every so often.  You probably didn’t think much of it, but did you know that your menstrual blood can tell you vital information about your health and fertility?  In fact, the menstrual cycle itself is now becoming known by some as ‘the fifth vital sign’.

What is a ‘period’?

Every month, if the released egg goes unfertilized by sperm (pregnancy does not occur), the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is shed and the tissue and blood exit the body through the vagina – this is menstrual blood.

What to look for:

Colour – the colour of fresh menstrual blood; don’t go by the colour of blood that has been sitting in pad or tampon

Consistency – how thin or thick the blood is

Duration – how long your period lasts

Frequency – the time between periods

The Colours:

Bright red (cranberry red)– Congratulations!  This is the colour of a healthy menses.  You are showing signs of healthy iron levels, healthy hormones and adequate nutrients.  Keep it up!

Pink – This may be a sign of low estrogen levels and/or low iron levels.

Brown or rusty red – This is oxidized blood or ‘old blood’ that failed to leave the uterus during your last period.  This may be a sign of low progesterone levels.

Black –  This is heavily oxidized blood that has failed to leave the uterus during numerous periods.  This is likely a sign of low progesterone levels.  This may also be a sign of something more serious, like a blockage – if you have severe pain and/or a fever, see your doctor right away.

Purple/blue – This may be an indicator of too much estrogen in the body.  This can either be because of too much estrogen itself, or a relative estrogen dominance due to low progesterone.

Gray – This may be a symptom of Bacterial Vaginosis – see your doctor.

The Consistency:

Just right – not too thick, but not watery.  Congratulations!  This is the consistency of a healthy menses.  You are showing signs of adequate water intake, healthy hormones and adequate nutrients.  Keep it up!

Thick, with large clots – This may be an indicator of an underlying condition such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, Hypothyroidism, Menopause or Adenomyosis.

Watery – Watery periods are usually also light pink.  These two factors may be the body’s way of telling you that your iron, nutrient and/or estrogen levels may be too low.

Not enough blood to be able to tell – Another sign that nutrients and hormone levels may be low or imbalanced.

The Duration:

4-7 days: Congratulations!  This is the duration of a healthy menses.  You are showing signs of healthy iron levels, adequate water intake, healthy hormones and adequate nutrients.  Keep it up!

3 days or less: A short period may indicate low estrogen levels.

Longer than a week: An extra long period may indicate high estrogen levels or relative estrogen dominance due to low progesterone.

Never the same: This may be a sign of hormonal imbalance that needs to be addressed with your practitioner.

The Frequency:

28-32 days:  Congratulations!  This is the frequency of a healthy menses.  You are showing signs of healthy hormones.  Keep it up!

Fewer than 28 days:  This is an indicator of ‘less than ideal’ follicular and luteal phase durations.  This is due to a hormonal imbalance that needs to be addressed with your practitioner.

Longer than 32 days: This is an indicator of ‘less than ideal’ follicular and luteal phase durations.  This is due to a hormonal imbalance that needs to be addressed with your practitioner.

Never the same:  This may be a sign of hormonal imbalance that needs to be addressed with your practitioner.

BONUS:  Cervical Mucus (aka ‘cervical fluid’) Check!

Cervical fluid is released during ovulation and it also has types!  Cervical fluid can be observed by examining one’s underwear or by checking bath tissue after using the washroom.

Type 1 – lowest fertility: no fluid is seen or felt.

Type 2 – low fertility: cannot see any fluid, but feels slightly damp.

Type 3 – intermediate fertility: can see that the fluid is thick, sticky, yellowish in colour and/or creamy like lotion.  You can feel dampness.

Type 4 – optimal fertility: you can see that the fluid is clear, stretchy, watery, elastic-like; resembling raw egg white.  You feel very wet and slippery.

Absent – ovulation is not optimal or is absent all together.  Work with one of our practitioners to establish a healthy cycle and achieve beautiful cervical mucus.

What to do if things aren’t ideal:

If you’re finding that your period is trying to tell you something, try talking to one of our Naturopathic Doctors.  Dr. Harmonie Eleveld, ND and Dr. Kim Vance, ND, both focus their practices on women’s health and would be thrilled to help you find your ‘perfect period’.  Take the next step, book online today.

Photo by Josefin on Unsplash