The Interpretation of Menstrual Blood Hues: A Breakdown
Yo, let's talk periods, y'all! Ever noticed your flow ain't always red? Well, Dr. Swapna Kollikonda, MD, spills the tea on why period blood changes color.
Period Colors Explained:
"The color of period blood varies based on how long the blood lingers in your uterus and vag," explains Dr. Kollikonda. "The longer it hangs out, the darker it gets since it reacts with oxygen in your bod and turns darker."
Here's the rundown:
- Pink periods: When the flow begins, it might mix with fresh, bright red blood that gets diluted, forming a pinkish hue.
- Bright red periods: As the uterus contracts and sheds blood rapidly, it keeps its vibrant red color 'cause it ain't got time to oxidize.
- Dark red periods: With a moderate flow, the uterus takes a while to shed the lining, causing the blood to darken as it sits.
- ** Dark red + clots:** If the uterus doesn't contract properly and sheds blood quickly, it could cause clots, which are usually a deep red color.
- Brown periods: As periods wrap up, you might experience a lighter blood color that mixes with vaginal discharge, resulting in a brownish hue.
When to Worry:
"Gynes usually ain't concerned about different colors of period blood," says Dr. Kollikonda. "But if you're spotting between periods, post-menopausal, or got a heavy or lighter flow, or experience large clots, severe cramping, irregular periods, prolonged bleeding, or frequent/infrequent periods, it's time to consult a doc."
Diagnosing Period Problems:
To rule out issues, your doc might chat about meds you're on, investigating potential drug interactions with birth control pills. Next up, a transvaginal ultrasound, where they stick an ultrasound probe in your vag to create images to diagnose endometrial growths, fibroids, or adenomyosis. These conditions can impact period flow and cause clots or irregular bleeding.
Pro tips:
- If you're freakin' about your flow, it's cool to reach out to your provider for reassurance most likely, ya'll will hear it's normal.
- Lighter or darker blood colors, spotting between periods, unusual discharge patterns, or persistent, severe symptoms demand medical attention to check for conditions like endometriosis, cervical dysplasia, or hormonal imbalances.
- Dr. Kollikonda explains that variations in period blood colors might be due to the duration the blood lingers in the body, with pink periods indicating fresh blood getting diluted and brown periods resulting from a mix with vaginal discharge towards the end of a period.
- It's essential to consult a doctor if experiencing post-menopausal spotting, a heavy or lighter flow, large clots, severe cramping, irregular periods, prolonged bleeding, or frequent/infrequent periods, as these symptoms could indicate underlying health problems such as endometrial growths, fibroids, or hormonal imbalances.
