Black Period Blood Color: What Does It Mean and How Can Be Treated?

Did you know that the color of period blood can relay vital health information?

Black or brown period blood color, for example, can indicate a vaginal infection.

Our body sheds blood and tissue during menstruation from the uterus through our vagina.

The color of your period can vary from bright red blood color to dark brown to black period blood, depending on how old the period blood is.

Blood that stays in the uterus for an extended period becomes oxidized and oxidized blood color tends to appear darker.

Sometimes hormonal changes and hidden health problems also affect the texture and colors of period blood.

Meaning Of Period Blood Colors

Brown Or Dark Red period blood color

Dark red blood or brown blood is a sign of old blood.

It mainly appears at the end or beginning of a period.

Dark red or brown can appear in different shades as it is not as oxidized as black period blood.

Brown Period Blood Color

Brown period blood color can sometimes indicate the start or end of your period. It could also indicate early pregnancy, doctors refer to it as implantation bleeding.

Black Period Blood Color

Black period blood color or black blood clots occurs at the beginning or the end of your menstrual cycle.

Black clots also sometimes indicate a blockage inside a vagina.

Why Does The Color Of Your Period Change?

Menstrual blood can change in texture and color from month to month or during a single period, mostly starting from brown or bright red blood color to dark red color and finally to dark brown or dark black.

Other reasons which cause variations in period blood colors:

• Hormonal changes
• Diet changes
• Sexually transmitted infection
• Bacterial infection
• Lifestyle Changes
• Environment
• Age

In rare cases, pregnancy, vaginal infections, and cervical cancer can also cause irregular bleeding or unusual blood color.

Causes of Black Period Blood Color

1. Beginning or the end of your menstrual cycle

The black period blood color or black clots occurs at the beginning or the end of your period.

Such color is typically a sign of old blood or blood that has been oxidized in the uterus for a long time.

This blood first turns brown, then dark red, and then eventually black as the end of your period approaches.

2. Vaginal blockage

Black blood or black clots also sometimes indicate a blockage inside a woman’s vagina.

Some symptoms of vaginal blockage include:

• Fever or elevated body temperatures
• Difficulty while urinating
• Swelling or itching around the vagina
• Foul-smelling discharge

3. Implantation Bleeding

Brown blood can sometimes indicate early pregnancy. Doctors refer to it as implantation bleeding.

A brown or dark brown blood period during pregnancy may indicate a miscarriage.

In some cases, it also indicates an ectopic pregnancy in which the egg implants itself in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus.

Some of the implantation bleeding symptoms are:

• headache
• bloating and nausea
• light bleeding or spotting
• breast tenderness

Women that experience spotting or vaginal bleeding during their pregnancy must speak to their doctor or obstetrician.

4. Lochia

Dark red, brown, or black period blood that occurs after pregnancy is known as Lochia or postpartum bleeding.

This is not a cause of concern as the body is expelling excessive tissue and blood from the uterus.

In most cases, Lochia begins as bright red period blood and heavy bleeding, which then transitions into dark red blood and then black blood as the period ends.

Over time, this discharge becomes lighter in color and amount.

The duration of this vaginal discharge varies from woman to woman, but it passes within the first few months of delivery.

Some Lochia symptoms

• large clots
• heavy flow
• foul smell
• fever
• pain around the vagina

If you experience very heavy bleeding, visit your doctor or obstetrician, as they could provide medical advice which can help you determine the causes.

Keep in mind that not all women experience Lochia after birth.

Some also experience irregular periods due to fluctuating hormones.

5. PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

STD/STI or Sexually Transmitted Infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause unusual discharge or bleeding.

Black period blood means that old blood is leaving the vaginal canal or uterus.

Heavy vaginal discharge in black color along with a foul odor could be a symptom of pelvic inflammatory disease.

Other symptoms of PID

• Pain while urinating
• Spotting between menstruation
• Pressure or pain in the pelvic area
• Itchy vagina
• Bleeding after or during sex

Sexually Transmitted Diseases do not go away on their own.

Without any antibiotics, they spread from the vagina, then to your reproductive organs.

This in turn causes PIDs.

Symptoms of PID and STD are similar, but one may experience fever with chills or without.

If not treated properly, PID can cause complications such as infertility or chronic pelvic pain.

6. Retained Menses

Hematocolpos or retained menses happens when blood is blocked from leaving the vagina.

Due to that, period blood may become black as it is retained.

This blockage can be caused by anything due to a congenital issue with the vaginal septum, hymen, or in rare cases the absence of the cervix.

Some women do not experience any symptoms.

On the other hand, women will find that these symptoms occur in place of an expected menstrual cycle.

In case there is too much blockage, women can develop a complete lack of menstruation.

Retained Menses Causes

• Cervical cancer
• Objects in the vagina
• Missed miscarriage

When to see a doctor?

In most cases, black period blood can be a part of menstruation and not require any special treatment.

But if it gets accompanied by other complications such as pain, fever, and smelly odor, it is important to visit a doctor.

Treatments

Treatment for black blood period clots mainly depends on the cause.

• Retained menses can require surgery to cure any underlying problems causing a blockage that lead to black period blood.
• Treatment for cervical cancer involves radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of all three.
• STIs and PIDs can be managed by antibiotics. Follow all instructions from your doctor, practice safe sex, and take measures to prevent reinfection.
• Missed miscarriages usually resolve on their own. In case not, then your doctor will suggest a D&C procedure. Any excessive tissue will be removed.
• In case you are experiencing fever, black period blood, and pain due to objects in the vagina, your doctor will remove them for you.

Conclusion

The consistency, flow, and color of a person’s period can provide helpful information about their health.

One must remember everybody’s period is different.

Our blood, flow, and consistency can change from month to month. Thus, it is crucial to learn what is normal and what isn’t.

Healthy period blood is primarily bright red, dark brown, or black, depending on your flow.

Women who experience black period blood or any blood and abnormal discharge during pregnancy must visit an obstetrician or doctor for evaluation as it might indicate ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

FAQ

What does black period blood color indicate?

Black period blood color can indicate several things.

It may signify old blood that has been in the uterus for an extended period, potentially occurring at the beginning or end of your menstrual cycle.

In some cases, black blood clots could also suggest a vaginal blockage or other underlying health issues.

What causes the color of period blood to change?

Period blood color can change due to various factors, including hormonal fluctuations, changes in diet, lifestyle, environment, and age.

These changes can lead to variations in the texture and color of menstrual blood.

Are there any potential health concerns associated with black period blood?

While black period blood can be a normal occurrence, it’s essential to pay attention to accompanying symptoms.

If you experience pain, fever, foul odor, or other unusual symptoms alongside black period blood, it’s recommended to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying health issues.

How is black period blood treated?

Treatment for black period blood depends on the underlying cause.

If it’s due to retained menses, surgical intervention might be necessary to address any blockages.

In cases of cervical cancer, treatment options may include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination.

For STIs and PIDs, antibiotics are commonly used to manage the condition.