How To Read Your Menstrual Blood

Do you know how to “read” your menstrual blood? 

This might sound like witchy magic (and it is), but it’s also science— and a powerful way to be in your power when it comes to understanding your menstrual health.

Our menstrual blood is an indicator of so much: our circulation, our hormones, our nourishment, and our overall health.

And on a spirit level, our blood is also sacred messenger, a direct portal to our mother lines, to Mother Earth, and our deepest knowing. 

In our physical health, here’s just *some* of what the color of your blood can tell you about what’s going on: 

🩸 BRIGHT RED

Optimally, our blood flows easily and is somewhere on the spectrum of bright to crimson red. As we are shedding not only blood but also endometrial lining, it’s normal to see some tissue in pea-sized clots or stringy-like pieces in our blood as well.

🩸PALE/ PINK

if your blood is pale, pink or you don’t get a full flow, this can indicate low levels of red blood cells or iron. Anemia, as well as digestive issues and poor absorption of nutrients can impact this.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, pale or watery blood consistency usually comes from a deficiency in Spleen Qi. 

The Spleen’s job is to turn nutrients from food into qi and blood, and when weak or overburdened, the spleen can struggle to produce enough blood for a full period. Deep rest and nourishment is key here! I often think about warming, nutrient dense foods, and focusing on mineral replenishment through things like bone broths, organ meats, and root veggies.

🩸DARK/ PURPLE

Hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance, liver Qi stagnation, and nutrient imbalances can contribute to purple or dark blood that is often accompanied by larger clots, PMS or breast tenderness. 

This is helpful information that it may be useful to tend to the liver and the gut in its processing of estrogen. Some of my favorite allies are:

-milk thistle and dandelion, especially in the luteal phase

-eating carbohydrates and protein every 3-4 hours (our livers need protein to function and carbs to detoxify!)

-eating raw carrot salad as a supportive way to bind and remove estrogen 

-Limiting over-exposure to xenoestrogens (in our plastics, cleaning products, makeup etc) as well as phytostrogens (relying heavily on soy, legumes, and other plant-based estrogens)

-moving our lymphatic system, which supports our internal detoxification process

🩸BROWN/BLACK

Brown, even black blood especially at the beginning or end of your cycle can be a sign of old blood that has been oxidized, which turns it darker. This can sometimes be an indication for greater circulation to the womb space to support the uterus in expelling old blood. 

The lining of the womb is folded and wavy, and especially when circulation and uterine tone is lacking, blood can get stuck here and not be fully expelled during menstruation.

When we see this during our bleed, this can be blood leftover from the previous cycle! This is one of my favorite indications for womb steaming — the practice of sitting or squatting over steamy water, typically infused with herbs, to bring back oxygenation and circulation to the pelvic bowl. 

🩸GRAY OR ORANGE

Gray discharge mixed in with blood can be a sign of infection. Orange spotting can sometimes be just a lighter bleed day mixed with cervical fluid, but can also be a sign of heat and an indication of an infection as well. These can be pieces of information that clue us in to get curious about our microbiome, vaginal health, and explore if there may be an underlying infection present.

Note: Keep in mind that the longer the blood has been sitting, whether in a cup or on a pad, it will have more time to oxidize and will likely appear a different color! Changing products more frequently or letting yourself free bleed makes it easier to read. 😉

This is just the beginning when it comes to learning from the wisdom of our blood!

If you’re curious to work with womb steaming as one way to support your blood flow and build a relationship with your pelvic bowl, download my free Sovereign Guide to Womb Steaming here!

And if you’re ready to dive deeper, apply to join me in The Womb Room.