Why Is My Period Blood Brown? Dark Shades of Blood During Menstruation

How does blood color vary during a period?

The color of your period blood can vary throughout your period, and that’s normal. When blood comes into contact with air, it goes through a natural process called oxidation. Hemoglobin is a blood compound that transports oxygen and contains iron. When this iron is exposed to air and oxygen, it becomes iron oxide (the same compound as rust), which has a darker brown color. This explains why your period blood is dark brown sometimes, and it can even look black in some cases.

You’re more likely to see this brown period blood on the first day and last days of your period, when the flow is lighter, but it’s also normal for it to be bright red at the beginning. Blood tends to be a brighter shade of red during the middle of your period, since the flow is faster, giving the blood less time to oxidize before leaving your uterus. However, you could still see some dark blood clots during heavier flow days.

Seeing a range of red and brown shades during your period is perfectly normal, and unless you experience other troubling period-related symptoms, you probably don’t have anything to worry about.

Here are some warning signs that you may need to visit your doctor:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge (white, yellow, green, grey, foul-smelling, thick, or frothy)
• Intense lower abdominal pain during your period or otherwise
• Periods that are too short (less than 2 days) or too long (more than 7 days)
• Periods that are too heavy (having to change period products every 2 hours or less)
• Periods that are too close together (less than 21 days) or too far apart (more than 35 days)
• Bleeding or spotting outside of your menstrual cycle or after intercourse
• Severe PMS symptoms (nausea, vomiting, headaches, bloating, and mood swings, among others)
• Very irregular and unpredictable cycles

Why is my period blood brown on the first day?

Why is my period blood brown on the first day?

Now you know why period blood is darker sometimes, but why is your period blood brown at the beginning? For lots of folks, the first and last days of their period are usually the lightest, and some people experience spotting for a few days after the end of their period.

Because blood flow during these days is slower and lighter, it takes longer to leave your uterus. This gives the blood plenty of time to oxidize and become brown, instead of the brighter red that is more frequent during the heaviest days of menstruation.

Takeaway

Takeaway

Seeing different shades of red, brown, and even black blood during your period is typically normal and nothing to worry about. Blood contains hemoglobin and iron, a mineral that oxidizes when it comes into contact with air. When this occurs, it causes blood to become darker.

Dark brown period blood is most common at the beginning and end of periods. Want to know when that's likely to be? You can predict when your next period will arrive with our online period calculator. During the first and the last few days of your period, blood flow tends to be slower, which gives the blood more time to oxidize before it leaves the uterus.

However, it’s always a good idea to bring up any concerns about your reproductive health with your health care provider and to schedule regular checkups. Your physician will be able to address any concerns you may have about your periods and sexual health.