Why You Should Look at Your Period Blood (and What It’s Telling You)

We spend a lot of time trying to hide our periods. Tucking away tampons, flushing pads quickly, and wiping away blood without a second glance.

But here’s the thing: your period blood has a lot to tell you about your health, your hormones, and your body’s natural rhythms.

Getting comfortable seeing your period blood is a powerful act of self-care.Let’s break it down: why it matters, and what different colours and textures actually mean.

Why You Should Look at Your Period Blood

Awareness is power: Knowing what’s normal for you helps you notice changes early like spotting signs of imbalance, stress, or something more serious.

Breaking the shame cycle: Period blood isn’t dirty, gross, or something to hide. It’s a sign of your body working exactly as it should.

Tuning into your cycle: The look and feel of your blood can tell you a lot about where you are in your cycle, from ovulation to menstruation and everything in between.

What the Colour of Your Period Blood Means

Bright Red

• Fresh blood usually seen at the start of your period.

• It’s healthy and normal, showing that your uterine lining is shedding properly.

Dark Red or Brown

• Blood that’s taken a little longer to leave the body.

• Very common toward the end of your period totally normal!

Pinkish

• Light bleeding or spotting, often mixed with cervical fluid.

• Can happen early in your period or during ovulation.

• Heads up: Very light or pink periods over time can sometimes signal low estrogen levels worth chatting to your doctor if you notice a big change.

Grey or Off-Colour

• If your blood looks greyish or smells strongly unpleasant, this could signal an infection like bacterial vaginosis.

• Definitely a reason to see your doctor!

  
  

What the Consistency of Your Period Blood Means

Watery

• Lighter periods or spotting often look more watery.

• Can be normal for some, but if it’s very watery and persistent, it’s good to keep an eye on your hormone health.

Clots (small, jelly-like lumps)

• Totally normal in moderation, especially on heavier days.

• Your body forms clots to manage heavier bleeding think of it like natural crowd control!

Thick and heavy

• Heavier flow can sometimes mean thicker blood.

• If clots are larger than a 10p coin (or a quarter) regularly, it’s worth discussing with a healthcare provider, especially if you’re feeling fatigued.

  
  

Final Thoughts: Seeing Is Honouring

Looking at your period blood isn’t weird it’s wise.

It means you’re tuned into your body, your health, and your natural cycles.

We’ve been taught to fear or ignore our blood, but in truth, it’s a beautiful indicator that your body is alive, changing, and communicating with you.

Next time you bleed, don’t rush to hide it. Take a moment, check in with yourself, and remember: your blood is a badge of power, not shame.