During your menstrual cycle, you might notice changes in the color of your period blood and wonder if there is cause for concern. The truth of the matter is that there are different reasons and causes for this – many of which are entirely normal. So, let’s examine different shades of dark period blood and what they commonly mean.
Different Dark Blood Colors and Their Meanings
Blood is typically a bright shade of red. As blood is exposed to oxygen, the shade of red it appears as will darken. Menstrual blood will oxidize while it is in the uterus, so the longer blood sits in your uterus, the darker it can appear once it is expelled. The following section explains how and why each shade of period blood appears the way it does.
Black blood
Black blood is most likely to be encountered at the start of your period. This is often old blood that is taking extra time to leave the uterus – likely leftover from your last period. Since it has had an extended amount of time to oxidize, this blood has the appearance of looking black.
Brown blood
Brown blood is also most likely to be seen during the beginning of your menstrual cycle, as well as at the end. This has to do with your flow and how it often is slower at the beginning and the end of your cycle. Because your flow is slower, blood has had more time to sit in your uterus and oxidize, allowing it to darken in appearance to a shade of brown.
Dark red blood
Dark red blood has had some time to oxidize, but not as much as the black and brown blood you may experience near the start and end of your period. This shade of blood is most likely to occur after sleeping or lying down for a while. This blood has been in the uterus for some time but not long enough to oxidize. So it is a dark shade of red rather than brown or black blood.
Other Reasons for Dark Blood
There are some reasons you may experience dark blood that are unrelated to your regular cycle. Below are some of those reasons.
Pregnancy
Sometimes, brown blood or spotting can be an early sign of pregnancy. This is usually old blood leaving the body and not a cause for concern.
Lochia
Lochia is post-partum bleeding. After pregnancy, you may experience Lochia, which is the body expelling excess blood and tissue that has been sitting in the uterus.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the period of time before a person reaches menopause. There are changes to your cycle during perimenopause, including brown spotting in between your periods.
When to See Your Doctor
Sometimes, having dark period blood is cause for concern. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms in addition to having dark period blood, you may consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor:
- Heavier than normal bleeding
- Blood has a foul odor
- Blood clots are bigger than the size of a quarter
- Your cycle is longer than usual
- You are experiencing an abnormal amount of pain
Takeaway
While changes in menstrual blood and having dark period blood may feel like there is cause for alarm, it is most likely just an indicator of how long blood has been sitting in your uterus. The longer blood has to oxidize, the darker it will appear once expelled.
The most important things to pay attention to are changes in flow volume, cycle length, and pain. If your flow is suddenly much heavier than usual, your cycle becomes irregular, you are bleeding between your periods, you haven’t been getting your period, or you begin to experience an unusual amount of pain during your cycle, you should consider seeing your doctor for an exam.
Maxim always recommends consulting a medical expert to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your menstrual cycle.