It is about a week or two until my period is due, but bright orange discharge that smells quite bad has started coming out. is this my period or something else? what should i do?

Get evaluated: Any vaginal discharge that "smells bad" needs evaluation. You may have an infection. Correct treatment depends on what type of infection, and will require an office visit.

Possibly vaginitis: Bad vaginal discharge smell accompanied by discolored discharge likely suggest vaginitis, or inflammation of vagina. It may be sexually transmitted. I advise you to see you primary care doctor or gynecologist for evaluation.