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What does it mean when my period is dark brown?

23 Apr, 2023 by Dane Raynor

Ah, periods. The glorious time of the month where your hormones give you whiplash, and all you want to do is shout curse words at everything with a pulse. But what happens when Aunt Flo decides to show up in a dark brown color instead of her usual red? Don’t panic just yet; it might not mean impending doom for your lady bits. Here’s what you need to know about dark brown period blood.

What is Dark Brown Period Blood?

Let’s get scientific – woo! Normal menstrual blood ranges from bright red to a light pinkish-red color because it still has oxygen in it. However, if the blood takes longer than usual to leave your uterus, it oxidizes (loses its oxygen) and turns into that dreaded dark brown hue. Think of it as rust on old metal – except this only happens four times a month (or once every 28 days if your cycle is regular).

Causes Of Dark Brown Menstrual Blood

Old Endometrial Tissues

Underneath the uterus lining lies endometrial tissues responsible for building up before shedding off during menstruation. The body expels these tissues regularly through bright-red bleeding during an individual’s cycle; however,sometimes this does not happen within sufficient time, thus staying there longer than normal causing them donning a darker shade.

Hormonal Imbalances

Estrogen plays an essential role during periods as its production influences period duration as well as flow intensity among other roles such as controlling mood swings and skin sensitivity among others functions.Occasionally,hormone balances are affected leading their reduction hence reducing estrogen levels meaning women experience prolonged cycles coupled with much more significant flows characterized by darker shades.

Polyps or Fibroids

Polyps refer growths within one’s cervix lines while fibroids attach themselves onto oneself’ uterine walls.Some females develop these,body conditions which cause period changes while bleeding abundantly hence causing dark brown blood.

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancies can be life-threatening when unnoticed. Dark brown discharge during pregnancy may also signify unsuccessful implantation or miscarriage.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Often, there’s nothing to worry about if your period arrives in a darker shade once in a while. But if it lasts longer than three days and has an unpleasant smell (like rotting meat), then you need to see your healthcare provider ASAP – especially if it’s accompanied by severe pain.

In some cases, dark brown blood that smells bad can indicate an infection like bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted disease. So get yourself checked out just to rule anything untoward out – we don’t want any nasty surprises up there!

If the same situation happens regularly for extended periods after medical help ist sought,and aside from unusual odors and off-putting appearances; additional symptoms such as unbearable pelvic cramp worsen particularly during menstruation,it means one ought not ignore this sign but seek comprehensive evaluation tests comprising of pap smear,cytology among many others for early diagnosis especially cancer detection.

Other Factors That Affect Menstrual Blood Color

Dark-colored menstrual blood is often seen in women approaching menopause because their bodies reduce the production of estrogen hormones resulting in shorter cycles, lighter flows containing darker shades due to reduced lining sheddings.Moreover,females using contraceptives are more likely to witness darker shades shift despite them experiencing regular duration gaps since changes disrupt natural hormonal balances;

Stress also affects the body’s hormone levels leading abnormal routine cycle variations characterized by varying color shifts,some females who have late discharges experience dark spotting before seeing full-blowned reddish hues in what appears as random ways within any particular month;

What To Do About It ?

Bearings its normalcy should not bother anyone,a change back to normalcy in fruitful future is expected being anyone’s long term approach.Using hormonal contraceptives coupled with other lifestyle modifications might reduce their frequency of occurrence,however, establishing the root cause by seeking medical attention should be a priority.

My Period Blood is Not Brown – Is that Good?

Yes! A regular red color means it’s fresh blood and hasn’t had to wait too long before leaving your body. So breathe easy knowing that you’re experiencing perfectly normal periods.

Conclusion

Periods can be unpredictable as they come; ranging from heavy flows on some days to light ones while others experience brown spotting picking up until they fade away.It’s essential understanding one’s menstrual cycle enough efficiently,such that any slight changes observed may not raise alarms since these happen naturally.More so than focusing on temporary setback of experienced irregularities,it’s important for females recognizing circumstances responsible developing physical constraints and seek medical professional help at earliest convenience possible,few times dark-brown period blood isn’t indicative an impending doom but erring side always beats risking complications arising later.Get yourself checked out now!

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