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In the event that there are no underlying health difficulties, most people begin their period (menstruation) around the age of 12 or 13.
The monthly passage of tissue and blood through the vaginal opening is known as menstruation. Its duration, colour, and texture can occasionally be used to determine reproductive health.
7 Causes of Black Period Blood
There are numerous reasons why there would be black period blood. Eight potential reasons for black period blood are listed below:
1. Something could be stuck inside the vagina.
Black period blood may indicate the presence of a tampon or other foreign item in the vagina. Condoms, sex toys, and contraceptive tools like cervical caps, sponges, diaphragms, and rings are some other items that could become ensnared in the vagina.
These have the potential to irritate the vaginal lining over time and cause an infection. Infections can also result in symptoms other than black period blood, such as:
- discomfort or itching in or around the vagina,
- rash, or swelling of the genital area,
- fever,
- difficulty urinating,
- pelvic or abdominal pain,
- or vaginal discharge with a foul odour.
3. It’s retained period blood.
When menstrual blood cannot exit the vaginal canal and fills the vagina, it is referred to as retained menses (hematocolpos). Over time, the vagina gradually becomes darker.
This vaginal obstruction is commonly caused by hymen or vaginal septum congenital abnormalities. Occasionally, surgical complications such as cervical atresia or the absence of a cervix (cervical agenesis) can also result in retained menstruation.
This rare illness, which is typically brought on by congenital defects, is typically detected in adolescence. A severe obstruction may result in no menstruation at all (amenorrhea). In addition to adhesions, lower abdominal discomfort is another sign of hemotocolpos.
4. There’s a possibility of cervical cancer.
Black period blood can occasionally signal cervical cancer, especially when it coexists with irregular bleeding after sex or in between periods. The following are warning signs of advanced cervical cancer:
- Fatigue, longer or heavier periods,
- pain during or after sex,
- bleeding,
- weight loss,
- pelvic pain,
- difficulty peeing,
- having trouble passing stools,
- swelling in the legs, and more.
5. Postpartum lochia has developed.
Lochia is the medical term for regular vaginal bleeding that lasts for six to eight weeks following childbirth. After a few days, it slows down from its initial heavy reddish-colored flow that contains small blood clots.
Early on, blood that is in abundance may become oxidised and turn so dark that it may appear almost black. After some time, the hue gradually becomes yellow or creamy before the flow completely stops.
In the weeks following delivery, lochia should be examined by a doctor if it is bright red, contains plum-sized clots, or has foul-smelling discharge.
6. Miscarriage has occurred.
Within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, miscarriage can occur. Sometimes, dark red spotting—which can be mistaken for black period blood—can be a sign of an early miscarriage.
According to experts, 10% of pregnancies result in miscarriage. There may not be any other signs of a miscarriage, such as painful bleeding or copious bleeding, besides black period blood.
A missed miscarriage is a condition where some people continue to display the typical symptoms of pregnancy.
A missed miscarriage happens when the embryo stops growing but isn’t ejected by the body; it can only be detected by ultrasound.
7. It’s the product of implantation bleeding.
Period blood that is dark brown or black in colour can occasionally be mistaken for implantation bleeding, which denotes early conception or pregnancy.
However, dark blood following implantation haemorrhage is quite uncommon. 10 to 14 days after a fertilised egg attaches itself into the uterine lining, implantation bleeding can sometimes occur.
Only a few days long, the flow is typically mild but might turn black if it exits the vagina too slowly. Along with spotting, other early pregnancy and implantation symptoms include exhaustion and swollen, sensitive breasts.
In some pregnancies, implantation bleeding may not happen. Make careful to see a gynaecologist if you do suffer implantation bleeding or believe you could be pregnant.
8. You have a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Black period blood has been linked to sex-transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea and chlamydia. There are times when dark brown or black discharge is accompanied by additional STI signs like:
- Pelvic pressure or pain,
- unpleasant vaginal discharge,
- burning while urinating,
- bleeding during or after sex,
- itchy vagina,
- spotting between periods,
- pain during sex.
Black Period Blood Treatment Options
Visit a doctor if you have any questions or don’t know what’s causing your dark period blood. Options for treatment depend on what is causing the dark menstrual blood.
- Fever, discomfort, and dark discharge are possible signs if there is a foreign item lodged in the vagina.
- STIs and pelvic inflammatory disease are often treated with antibiotics, therefore it’s crucial to see a doctor have the object removed as soon as possible.
- Complete the full regimen according to the given directions.
- Missed miscarriages may go away on their own, but the majority of patients need to see a doctor right away.
- Prescription medications and a dilation and curettage operation to remove any remaining uterine tissues are available as treatments.
- In cases of retained menses, surgery may be required to address the underlying issues that led to the obstruction in the first place.
- Each patient’s specific regimen of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation is used to treat cervical cancer.
Takeaway
Black period blood is occasionally a regular monthly occurrence or, in rare instances, a sign of a more serious problem.
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you think you may have any of the conditions mentioned above. The main factor determining how to treat black period blood is the original reason.
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FAQ’s
Can you have a black period when pregnant?
Early pregnancy bleeding is frequent, especially right after a missed or delayed period. Approximately 10 to 14 days after conception, when the egg embeds itself in the uterine lining, you can bleed as a result of the implantation process. *The blood may seem dark if it takes a while to leave the vagina.
What does an early miscarriage look like?
The colour of bleeding during a miscarriage can range from pink to bright crimson, or it can be brown and resemble coffee grounds. It can go back and forth between light and heavy states or even halt for a while before restarting. A miscarriage that occurs before eight weeks of pregnancy may resemble a heavy period.
Does black discharge mean pregnancy?
The uterine lining becomes attached to a fertilised egg 10 to 14 days after conception. It does not occur in every pregnancy and is readily confused with menstrual blood. Dark brown or black discharge after implantation denotes the presence of stale blood.
