A great way to be in tune with your reproductive health is to track any changes to your period, including regularity, duration of menstruation, unusual symptoms, heaviness of the flow, and the color and consistency of the discharge.
Any alterations to the color of the period can seem alarming, however, it is important to understand what changes are signaling health problems and what are normal.
Why do we have menstrual bleeding?
The inner layer of the uterus (endometrium) alters due to the variation of hormones throughout the menstrual cycle. When the fertilization of the egg does not occur, and the female hormone levels reduce, this causes the arteries of the endometrium to constrict. It results in hypoxia and tissue breakdown of the lining of the uterus. The blood and the tissue of the lining are eliminated from the uterus through the vagina, thus resulting in menstrual bleeding.
Normal menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle should be somewhat regular. The normal length of the menstrual cycle varies between 21 and 35 days. A period usually lasts up to 7 days. Losing around 30–40 mL of blood is common during the period. The color of the period can vary from light pink spotting to different shades of red or brown. Moreover, the texture can be watery or form some clots, depending on the flow of the menstruation.
The colors of menstrual blood
The color of period blood may vary from the beginning to the end of the period, or even between periods. This usually depends on the flow of the bleeding: the slower the period blood exits the body, the more it oxidizes, and the red color darkens.
Red
Period blood is a combination of blood, the uterine lining, and other vaginal fluids. If the menstrual flow is steady and heavy, the blood passes out of the body fast and doesn’t have time to oxidize. In this case, period blood is bright red. This is common on the heavy flow days of menstruation.
Dark red
Having a dark red period is normal. The period blood gets a darker shade of red after it oxidizes. This usually happens at the start, the end, or on the lighter days of the period, when the flow is slower and takes a longer time to exit the uterus. It can be noticed in the morning, after lying down for a while, because the blood stays inside the uterus for a while.
Brown
Brown-colored period blood indicates a slower flow and is usually normal.Nevertheless, if you notice brown-colored spotting during the menstrual cycle, it can be a sign of other conditions:
Implantation bleeding. Brown-colored spotting can be an early sign of pregnancy. It happens roughly 2 weeks after conception.
Perimenopause. Fluctuation in hormone levels while approaching menopause can cause changes in the frequency, flow, texture, or color of the period.
Endometriosis. It is a condition where a tissue, similar to the uterus lining, grows outside the uterus. Sometimes, the endometrial tissue is unable to shed and can trap blood. This causes light brown spotting.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This condition disrupts the ovulation process, causing the uterine lining to shed improperly. This results in a missed period with brown discharge.
Black
Noticing black period blood can be stressful, however, usually, it is just a dark shade of red, and it means that the period flow is slow, and the blood had time to oxidize.
Nevertheless, it can be a sign of a forgotten object in the vagina (for example, a tampon). In this case, over time it can cause an infection and can be followed by symptoms, such as pelvic pain, fever, unpleasant smell, and change in regular vaginal discharge.
Pink
Pink periods are a result of cervical fluid mixing with the period blood, thus, diluting the discharge. Usually, this happens during the beginning and the end of menstruation because of the light period flow. Here are some other reasons for having pink discharge:
Anemia. This is a condition caused by low hemoglobin levels in the blood. Hemoglobin gives the blood its red color. Therefore, if the blood is lighter color, the period blood can be this way too.
Low estrogen levels. Usually, this happens during perimenopause. Estrogen is responsible for stabilizing the uterine lining. If the estrogen levels are low, it can cause the uterine lining to shed during the menstrual cycle (not necessarily during the period), resulting in pink spotting.
Cervical cancer. Having irregular pink watery discharge can be a sign of cervical cancer. This condition is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as contact bleeding, a strong odor of the discharge, and painful sexual intercourse.
Ovulation. After the egg is released from the ovary, progesterone levels increase. This can induce some spotting in the middle of the menstrual cycle.
Small trauma. Light-colored spotting can be seen after vigorous sexual activity.
Orange
Orange menstrual fluid is a result of cervical fluid mixing with period blood. This color discharge might be an indication of a vaginal infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. Usually, it is followed by symptoms like foul smell, change in vaginal discharge, painful urination or sexual intercourse, vaginal irritation, or itching.
Gray
Having gray-colored period blood is not normal. Often it means that a woman has a vaginal infection, such as bacterial vaginosis. This can include other symptoms like foul vaginal smell, irritation, itching, painful urination, or sexual intercourse. If a woman experiences heavy bleeding accompanied by gray tissue or clots, it might be a sign of having a miscarriage. Other symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen and cramps.
When to see a doctor
Normally, periods differ in color, flow, or texture. However, it is recommended to see a doctor, if you notice:
Irregular menstrual cycle
Heavy menstruation (>7 days, >40 mL per month)
Bleeding accompanied by severe pain
Bleeding after menopause
Bleeding in between the periods
Spotting during pregnancy
Changes in vaginal discharge
Unusual symptoms, including vaginal irritation, itching, foul vaginal odor, and pelvic pain
Color alterations during menstruation are normal. The menstruation color depends on the flow of the period. However, if you notice some unusual changes accompanied by other symptoms, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact a doctor.
Source: Health News
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