Menstrual blood is blackish brown, should you worry?

Even though it's called menstrual blood, it's not always bright red. Menstrual blood can come in a variety of colors - from dark brown to dark red to light pink. This is because menstrual blood is different from the fresh blood that comes out of your finger when you cut a paper or scratch your knee from a trip over. Despite the name blood, menstrual blood is basically the tissue of the uterine wall and egg cells that shed because they are not fertilized.

But why can menstrual blood color be different, and what does each color mean?

The meaning of the various colors of menstrual blood

Your period can tell you a lot about your health. Because in addition to being a sign that you are pregnant or not, the color of your menstrual blood can provide valuable clues about the health of your body's hormones. Your hormones are the "protocol officers" that keep all of your body's systems functioning properly.

Keep in mind, what is considered a "normal" menstrual color for each person may be different from one another. But there are some discolorations you need to be aware of. Below are five common menstrual blood colors and their meanings.

Light pink or pale red, watery

If your menstrual blood is pink or has a pale red tinge, this is a sign that your body has low estrogen levels - especially if it's accompanied by less volume on days the bloodstream is usually heaviest. Low estrogen levels can be caused by too much exercise or nutritional deficiencies. It can also be a signal of severe anemia. Low estrogen levels can increase the risk of osteoporosis if left untreated.

The pink color of menstrual blood also indicates that your body is not producing enough red blood cells or that your blood does not contain enough iron. Though this is very important for your fertility. Blood is the main source of oxygen and nutrients for every organ in the body. If you don't have enough red blood cells, your body's systems suffer - including your reproductive system.

Other causes of pink menstrual blood color include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or perimenopause, which is when your ovaries start producing less estrogen in response to menopause (generally occurring about four to five years before menopause).

Cherry red

If you find a bright red color on your pads - think soda red or cherry red - this is the "normal" color of menstrual blood and is especially healthy in the middle of your menstrual week.

The bright red color indicates that the uterine lining has recently shed, coming out very quickly without having had much time to "age" in transit. Then once near the end of the cycle, the color of menstrual blood will generally darken, indicating that menstrual blood flow has slowed down. On the other hand, some women with a long duration of bleeding experience a slower process of shedding the uterine wall, so the color is consistently bright from start to finish.

Dark red

Menstrual blood which is saturated dark red in texture and slightly clotted is what is called "normal" menstrual blood, generally the cycle always starts and ends on time.

But even if a blood clot is normal, a clot that is as large as a coin or even larger can indicate a serious hormonal balance problem - especially when accompanied by painful PMS. This blood color can indicate that you have low levels of progesterone and high estrogen.

Uterine fibroids are another possibility. Fibroids are generally benign growths, but they can be painful. So if you suspect this is the mastermind of heavy, lumpy menstrual flow, ask your doctor for an ultrasound. In the meantime, you can try cutting back on milk, soy, and sugar to see if there is a difference in your cycle patterns.

Dark blackish brown

Menstrual blood color that is dark red-brown is usually an indicator of excess estrogen levels, which causes the lining of the walls to develop very thick; so that your menstrual blood will appear in a larger volume and have a thick color. In general, this is normal, unless accompanied by PMS symptoms.

On the other hand, the color of menstrual blood which is dark red to dark brown to almost black can indicate "dark" blood. Some women shed the lining of the uterus at a steady rate, so that the entire "ration" of blood that has to be removed can be used up at one time. As for others, their uterine wall shedding is slow and not always able to shed the entire lining until it is completely clean. The remaining uterine wall will age over time and shed with the next menstruation, showing a dark brown color. This is also normal and nothing to worry about.

In extreme cases, blood can get trapped and clot in the body, turning jet black. This blockage of menstrual blood will be accompanied by pain and large blood clots. This condition is common in women who have a history of severe fibroids and endometriosis.

Gray

Menstrual blood that is bright red in color but accompanied by clots of gray mucus indicates that you have a venereal disease or sexually transmitted disease. Menstruation that is gray in color can also indicate that you have had a miscarriage. Immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.