Many women who menstruate often seek information about their period blood color and other changes. Now what is complicated is that we can’t determine one standard for different women as our bodies function differently. Some women menstruate for just 2 to 3 days and there are some other who have to bear the period cycle for more than a week! The blood color changes as the menstruation time passes. For instance, the periods might start with light red spotting or watery blood to dark red blood on the first day and it indicates the period blood that body produced recently. A bright red color is therefore common in the initial time of the cycle. Thus we can say that a normal period blood is mild red in color with changes only due to various underlying conditions that might or might not be serious.
Changes in the period blood in terms of color and texture aren’t always related to health problems and shouldn’t be taken too seriously unless it persists or happens frequently with other symptoms such as pain, itchiness and swelling in the genitals. Also if the orange period blood is accompanied by a strange odor then it should be evaluated at the earliest.
Orange period blood is a result of the red blood getting mixed with the cervical fluid which gives it an orange color along with red flecks. It can also be a symptom of other infections, especially if experienced frequently with a foul odor and a watery consistency. Tissue in the period blood can also be a reason of orange period blood especially when there is a miscarriage at a very early stage. The tissue is very different from a blood clot. Shedding of the decidual tissue may also contribute in the discoloration or change in the period blood and usually happens in cases of hormonal imbalance. In some of the cases, the normal bright red period blood mixes with the cervical fluid and changes its appearance to orange color.
What causes changes in the period blood color?
In some cases the period blood can be orange simply because it is naturally lighter than normal red color. Women who bleed less often experience orange or light red colored period blood. It can also indicate increase in the proportion of the menstrual flow which is made up by the shedding of the uterine lining instead of blood which also causes discoloration. Another reason could be a possibility of vaginal infections such as mucus or other vaginal discharge. These however aren’t related directly to the period blood but are definitely causing a change in the color. Some other causes are:
- Miscarriage: This is a major reason though rare at the same time. It can also make one experience passing clots or tissue along with heavy bleeding.
- Uterine Fibroids: Fibroids or non cancerous tumor develops within the uterus and are usually asymptomatic. The only sign is passing of blood clots that is more than normal.
- Hormonal irregularities: The two main hormones Estrogen and progesterone are hormones are responsible for regulating the timely shedding of the uterine lining. Any kind of disturbance in their balance will thicken the uterine lining and it further wouldn’t be able to support heavier bleeding. Hormonal balance can also occur due to changes in the weight, medication and other physiological processes.
- Menopause: A lot of women in menopause experience changes in the period blood whenever they menstruate, which isn’t that often. The period blood lightens with age in both color and thickness and experiencing orange or light red period blood isn’t something unusual in menopause.
Orange period blood can also occur along with some other symptoms such as:
- Easily getting exhausted even after a normal activity
- Frequently feeling a dizziness
- Skin turning pale and feeling weak
- Pale fingernails
- Irregularity in the periods
Irrespective of the causes, the most convenient way is to see a general physician or preferably an OB GYN doctor. With the help of symptom analysis and a physical examination they can estimate the seriousness of the situation and start the treatment accordingly. It is very important to report the other symptoms (if any) like pain in the abdomen, cramps, itching or pain in the genitals or pain while urinating. Knowing these symptoms will help the doctor find a more precise problem.
Changes in the normal period patterns is naturally a cause of worry for most of the women but some of the changes are normal and the best way is to relax and let the expert and its job. Even in the case of the orange period blood, which might occur due to several aspects, some of its aspects are absolutely normal and some can be a reason for medical concern.
How would I know I have orange blood during my period
Stephanie, you would be able to tell. Its visibly orange. It happened to me after I got off birth control that I had been on for seven years. It freaked me out!
I am having issue about my period I can’t make it to the bathroom I’m time and it’s dark dark red with bright blood and having pains in my stomach and when I stand up blood starts pouring and I get it every where should I be concerned or go to the er
I noticed an orange tinge on my period,and it smelled like… rotten, more rotten than fishy? D: Also, just right before and after getting my periods I’m having an abnormal discharge, often gray or white (sometimes kinda yellow) and it also smells rotten!!! I WANT TO DIE!!!! I can have a STD without having sex with more than one men? I think my boyfriend might hav cheated? SOmeone can get a desease by going to public bathrooms? I don’t have sex with more than one man!! My God… I’m so scared, I’ve searched about my symptoms and read about BV and Trich, and they say that these two always come back!!! If I have one of those two, I need to get rid of it, like forever!!! I feel so horrible!!! I feel ashamed of going to an OBGYN or to anyone and they see or smell this, I feel so gross, I feel I’ll be judged!!! I’M SO SCARED!!! I don’t want to have an STD!!! :(((
I had a cone biopsy last month and now I’m 9 days late. I spotted for not even an hour and now I’m spotting orange blood here and there and I’m cramping alot. I called my doctor and they didn’t call me back.
Started spotting orange fluid ,then came severe cramps ,that wouldn’t subside, so severe I bled out in my hot bath I ran to try to relieve my pain, I drained the water which by this time turned the color of fruit punch. Something was terribly wrong, I stood up to get out of the tub , I pushed one time and my baby which I had no idea I was pregnant feel out I was 4months at least that’s what I figured . But the Orange blood I found out was my cervix fluid mixing with my blood from my miscarriage. Come to find out the misscarriige tore half my cervix off when my baby came out. I was 14 yrs old when this happened to me .i later went on to have 2 healthy girls but I had to have a cerclage which are stitches on what was left of my cervix to hold my baby in or I would have lost them as well. I wanted to share my story. As I was having my miscarriage the baby was big enough that it tore my cervix which causes the ORANGE BLOOD . This is my story thankyou for reading I hope this is educational and helps someone in need. I’ve never told anyone you guys are the first.im now 39 yrs old,my girls are now 20 and 21. Thankful for listening and reading my post .i hope this brings knowledge to someone out there!! God bless!!