It is important to keep in mind that menstruation can be an important indicator of our general state of health. A bright red color signifies excellent health, but what about when other colors are present?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, when the period appears dark and with a strong odor, it is “old” bloodthat is, blood that took longer than usual to be transported from the uterus to your pad or tampon.
Usually, that the blood appears dark from time to time, even very dark, is not a warning sign. But if this loud tone becomes commonplace, you should consider seeing a doctor, as it may indicate hormonal disturbances, uterine problems, or sexually transmitted infections.
Surely you are wondering what are the causes of dark blood. Here we tell you.
Possible causes of dark menstruation
It is common for the blood to have a reddish-brown hue and be thicker at the beginning or end of the period, but it is also normal for the first signs of the period to be bright and with a more liquid flow.
Whether at the beginning or end of the cycle, dark blood is older, because the lining of the uterus darkens the longer it takes to leave the body. Blood clots are normal on heavier days and may appear dark red or almost black.
The color of menstrual blood is often misunderstood, and cycle health has not been studied as much as other aspects of health. Here are some of the reasons why your period blood might appear consistently dark.
Very dark red bleeding is common in the first weeks of pregnancy and usually happens when the embryo implants itself in the walls of the uterus.
Certain hormonal disturbances caused by thyroid disease (among others) can cause dark and scanty menstruation.
As women approach the cessation of menstrual functions, bleeding is often light and dark.
Sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, cause rapid degradation of menstrual blood. This causes a dark, almost black hue, which is often accompanied by a foul odor.
It is common to observe a black menstruation shortly after having gone through childbirth. This is because it takes about 45 days for the uterus to return to its normal size, which leads to dark bleeding. Under these circumstances, it is natural.
Menstrual colors
Having dark menstruation is only one of the possibilities, since different shades of bleeding can be noticed during the period. Here we tell you what they are and what they mean:
It is common on the second or third day of the cycle. It is new blood and has not had time to darken as it has not remained “stagnant” for long periods of time.
Any bleeding that occurs outside of your regular period is considered spotting. In these cases, it is common for the color to be pink. Some women experience mid-cycle spotting. This is ovulation bleeding, which mixes with fertile cervical fluid and can be light red or pink.
If you have grayish discharge, talk to your doctor as it may be a sign of an infection or miscarriage.
Nobody knows the characteristics of your cycle and the frequency with which the different shades of menstrual blood appear, so it can only be you who determines how normal or normal the color is.
We reiterate that dark blood, when occasional, is not something that requires medical attentionbut if it happens frequently and doesn’t seem to be the result of normal processes like postpartum recovery or menopause, a visit to a doctor may be necessary.
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Important: It should be clarified that Bioguía does not give medical advice or prescribe the use of techniques as a form of treatment for physical or mental problems without the advice of a doctor, either directly or indirectly. In the case of applying any information on this site for this purpose, Bioguía does not assume responsibility for these acts. The site is intended only to provide information of a general nature to aid in the pursuit of personal growth and development.
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