What Your Period Colour and Flow Can Tell You About Your Hormones

April 21, 2025

Your period is more than just a monthly event; it’s a window into your hormonal and systemic health. From the colour and consistency of your blood to the heaviness (or lightness) of your flow, your period is giving you valuable information about what’s going on internally.

In this post, I'll break down what different period colours and flow patterns might mean, how to read them, and when it's time to dig deeper. No shame, no fluff: just grounded, useful knowledge.

First, What Counts as a "Normal" Period?

A typical healthy period:

Lasts 3 to 7 days
Has a total blood loss of about 30 to 50ml (about 2 to 3 tablespoons)
Starts off heavier and gradually lightens
Is accompanied by some uterine cramping but not debilitating pain

But here’s the thing: "normal" is a range, and learning your personal baseline is key. Once you know what’s typical for you, it becomes much easier to spot shifts that signal hormonal or systemic changes.

What the Colour of Your Period Can Mean

Bright Red

Usually seen in the middle of your flow
Indicates strong, steady circulation and a healthy uterine lining
If it’s bright red from start to finish and you’re also bleeding heavily, it could point to excess heat or inflammation in the system

Dark Red or Burgundy

Common at the start or end of a period
Indicates older blood, slightly slower circulation
Can be normal, but if flow feels sluggish and you're dealing with clotting or bloating, it might suggest blood stasis or liver congestion

Brown or Rusty

Old blood that took longer to leave the uterus
If it’s just at the beginning or end of your period, it’s likely fine
If it’s your main flow colour, it may signal low progesterone, weak uterine tone, or sluggish elimination

Pink or Light Red

Can happen with light flow or spotting
Often linked to low oestrogen, nutrient deficiencies, or overexercising
Can also show up in early perimenopause

Very Pale or Watery

May point to blood deficiency, poor circulation, or even anaemia
Often shows up in people who are underweight, depleted, or dealing with chronic stress

What the Flow Can Tell You

Light Flow

Can be normal if it’s always been that way
If it's new or paired with other symptoms (fatigue, anxiety, cold hands/feet), it may suggest low oestrogen
May happen post-birth control, with thyroid issues, or in early perimenopause

Heavy Flow

Losing more than 80ml per period or soaking a pad/tampon every 1–2 hours
Often a sign of oestrogen dominance, fibroids, or low progesterone
Can also be worsened by liver stagnation or inflammation

Flooding or Sudden Gushes

Indicates loss of uterine tone, poor blood vessel integrity, or hormone crashes
Often tied to postpartum depletion, progesterone withdrawal, or fibroids

Spotting Between Periods

Can be a side effect of hormonal shifts, ovulation, or low progesterone
Persistent spotting may signal a thyroid imbalance, endometrial inflammation, or pill-related withdrawal bleeds

Clotting: Should You Worry?

Small clots (10 pence coin-sized or smaller) can be normal, especially on heavier days
Larger clots or lots of them may indicate blood stagnation, poor uterine tone, or excessive oestrogen
If clots come with intense cramping or fatigue, it’s worth digging deeper

Putting It All Together: Patterns Matter

It’s not about one period. It’s about the patterns you see over time.

If you’re seeing chronic brown bleeding, huge clots, or cycles that leave you wiped out every month, your period is asking for support. That could look like:

Liver and lymphatic herbs for hormone clearance
Iron and mineral replenishment
Nervous system tonics to support better uterine tone and circulation
Hormonal tracking to spot luteal phase or ovulation issues

When to Seek Support

Reach out to a herbalist if:

Your period is changing suddenly or dramatically
You’re passing large clots or bleeding through your collection method regularly
Your period is gone, irregular, or extremely painful
You’re dealing with heavy flow plus fatigue, mood swings, or weight changes

Your period is not supposed to be a punishment. It’s a vital sign and it deserves your attention.

Final Thoughts

Period blood might not be a regular dinner table topic, but it holds so much wisdom. The colour, the flow, the clots or lack thereof; they all give insight into your hormonal landscape, nutrient status, and cycle rhythm.

Start tracking your flow just like you would your mood or energy. Jot down what you notice. Over time, you’ll start to recognise what’s normal for you and what’s shifting and that awareness is what puts you in the driver’s seat.