Most of us don’t spend a ton of time staring at our period blood. I mean, we’re kinda busy with… life. So, the consistency or texture of your period probably isn’t something you pay attention to. But you should, because there are a few key characteristics of your flow that can clue you into your health!
Period color might be easier to notice than flow consistency, but knowing just a bit about what textures are optimal (and which could be a sign of a period problem) goes a long way. So, next cycle, take a quick peek each day and get familiar with your personal “normal.”
Because the more you understand what’s normal for you, the sooner you’ll be able to tell when something funky is up.
What is a normal period texture?
As usual, “normal” can vary from person to person. Typically, a healthy period will have a thick texture (at least for the first couple days) that resembles, well… blood.
Your normal consistency might even change period to period. What’s most important is knowing what’s not normal, like big clots (more on that soon).
What if my period is thin or watery?
Thin, watery flow is common on light flow days! If you started out your period with a thicker texture, but over the days noticed it turning thinner, that’s likely a healthy period.
But, if your flow is watery or thin through the entire period, you might have a light period (a sign of low estrogen). This is also common during perimenopause!
What if my period is jiggly, slippery or jelly-like?
Your flow becomes more slippery than normal blood when semen or cervical fluid mixes with period blood. Simple as that! But if you didn’t have sex and you’ve never seen this consistency before, keep a note of it and look out for other symptoms.
What if my period has clots?
Some clots are normal. The usual imagery used is a coin: if you have clots the size of a quarter or larger, talk to a doc. Small clots are generally okay, but if you have a TON of clotting going on, ask a doctor.
Large clots are a sign of a heavy period, which is a sign that something else is going on (estrogen dominance, endometriosis, fibroids, etc.).
What if my period is stringy?
A stringy period texture is actually clotting of old blood. Sometimes, not all the uterine lining makes it out during a period, and it’ll appear in a later period as brown blood. Color and consistency are both important to note if you’re confused with your flow!
No matter what your period looks like, it’s crucial that you figure out what YOUR normal is.
Even if you don’t want to track all the details, keep minimal notes of your period: number of days bleeding, how many days between periods, general color and consistency, and any changes from your normal.
It only takes a couple minutes per cycle, and it gives you a valuable look into your health!