Is a period really blood?

Yes, it is REALLY blood! During the second half of your cycle, the lining of your uterus (endometrium) begins to thicken in preparation for a fertilized egg. By then end of the cycle, if this does not happen, the hormones progesterone and estrogen begin to fall and that thickened endometrium begins to slough off. read more

Sure, there’s blood in the mix but that’s not the only component. “Period blood is made up of thickened endometrial cells that slough off if there isn't a pregnancy, actual blood from arteries in the uterus, and sometimes clots,” women’s health expert Jennifer Wider, M.D., tells SELF. read more

Its blood, and if you have a really heavy period for a long time you can get sick and even need a blood transfusion. (happened to me, bled for 3 months straight) Its very important for women to take iron pills and eat red meat to replenish the blood that is lost every month. read more