Menstrual cycle is undoubtedly the most inevitable yet the least desirable natural phenomena of female body. Although most of the women are not really aware of its repercussions, any change in the cycle is related to mental as well as physical changes in the body. Drastic changes also make a lot of women panic such as the change in color or consistency and black menstrual blood could be the most alarming of all which could be experienced by women not once but many times in the course of the entire span of their cycle. The blood however isn’t heavy and is more often in the form of stains or spots and can be a bit brownish in color.
Menses means no pregnancy. In a female body, the uterus is lined with the endometrial tissue which becomes thick because of the hormones for pregnancy that’s possible. The lining, rich with blood is shed almost after every 4 weeks if there isn’t any pregnancy and this further may last from a day or two to a week. The normal menstrual cycle may vary from 3 to 5 weeks with the duration of the period lasting up to 5 days where women can lose blood equal to 4 teaspoons to 12 teaspoons of blood in every period.
It is a normal thing for the period blood colors, consistency and textures to change from light red, bright red to brown, dark brown or black and from thin to thick, from spots to stains or heavy blood flow. These changes take place when the blood in the uterus isn’t removed on time.
Why is my period blood black?
- The black blood has been there in the uterus or vagina for a couple of days and releases later. The color changes because it gets oxidized when it is in the uterus or vagina for a while. This is also seen in case of delayed periods. It is not a very serious problem unless it is accompanied by severe pain or cramps. If the periods take longer to end with the black blood there then one must refer to a gynecologist in such conditions.
- During the end of periods the black blood stains are more normal than occurring in the middle because it is due to delayed periods and the accumulated blood is being thrown out of the system.
- The blood gets retained in the vagina because of the hymen that covers the vagina completely and it does not let the blood flow till there is a contraction from the uterus which pushes the blood.
- It is also often experienced by older women because of the narrowing cervix that leads to retained menses that produced black or brown blood.
- It could also occur because of some vaginal infection. Such infections could be due to sexually transmitted diseases or the overgrowth of bacteria in the vaginal area or around it and in such cases the blood is accompanied by foul smell or pain in the pelvic area.
- The blood if untimely can also be an indicator of a miscarriage. That is why expecting mothers have to be more cautious of any such situation.
- Stress and depression are the other important causes as they cause the thinning of the uterus’s inner walls which eventually delays the shedding of the wall and will affect the onset of menstrual cycle.
- Too much medication is also an influence on such changes. Especially in the case of contraceptive pills one will most likely experience the discoloration of discharged blood.
How to deal with such a change?
Although the black blood or any change in the normal blood color in menses isn’t a disease but it could be an indicator of some drastic change in the female body. So in order to cure it is also very important to find out the cause of the problem and then taking further medical action to treat it. However, as already mentioned, one must not panic if such a change in blood color is experienced at the end of the cycle because then it is pretty normal. Also, one assurance is that the change is due to the delay in the menses and blood clots. So it is normal to be alarmed but at the same time it is important to consult the doctor.
It is at the same time important to have a healthy diet with essential minerals and other nutrients. Physical activity should also be done in moderation. Too much alcohol, caffeinated, aerated drinks and smoking must be avoided to maintain a healthy period cycle as it is one of the major sources of panic for women.