Endometriosis menstrual blood: Shade, clots, form, and additional details
Endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterus lining grows outside the uterus, can have a significant impact on a person's menstrual cycle. One of the noticeable changes in period blood for those with endometriosis is its colour.
In individuals with endometriosis, the colour of period blood is often darker, such as dark red, dark purplish red, or brown, compared to the typical bright red seen in healthy periods. This is due to the endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus bleeding irregularly and blood pooling and oxidizing before being expelled, which darkens the blood's appearance.
Endometriosis can cause brown or dark red blood because the blood may take longer to exit the body or come from implantation sites outside the uterus, leading to oxidation and a darker color. Menstrual blood with dark purplish red coloration and large clots is also reported among women with endometriosis, often accompanied by intense cramps and heavier flow.
Heavy bleeding associated with endometriosis may result in a person changing their pad or tampon every 1-2 hours. Endometriosis can also cause irregular periods, with the length of the menstrual cycle varying by 7-9 days each month.
Some people who have endometriosis experience heavy menstrual bleeding, which can often include blood clots. Ovarian cysts, also known as endometriomas or chocolate cysts, can occur in people with endometriosis. If endometriomas rupture, they can leak dark brown, bloody fluid into the pelvis, causing pain, inflammation, and scarring.
Endometriosis tissue bleeds and sheds in the same way as endometrium tissue, but the blood and tissue remain inside a person's abdomen, causing inflammation and scarring. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including painful menstrual cramps, pelvic pain, infertility, pain in the intestines or lower abdomen, heavy periods, spotting or bleeding between periods, pain during sex, cramps after sex, painful bowel movements, painful urination, fatigue, digestive or gastrointestinal symptoms, and even blood in stool.
If a person is experiencing any of these symptoms or is concerned about period pain or irregularity, they should contact a doctor. Diagnosing endometriosis involves a doctor asking about symptoms and medical history, performing a pelvic exam, and doing some imaging tests. Surgery is currently the only way for healthcare professionals to confirm that a person has endometriosis, with the most common surgery used to diagnose endometriosis being a laparoscopy.
While there is currently no cure for endometriosis, there are treatments available to manage symptoms. These include pain relief, hormone therapy, surgical treatment, and alternative therapies. People with endometriosis may find relief from pain relief, hormonal birth control, exercise, taking a warm bath, using a heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen, ensuring they get enough rest, relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga.
It's important to note that endometriosis can reduce a person's chance of becoming pregnant. It also increases the risk of pregnancy loss and ectopic pregnancy. If a person with endometriosis is trying to conceive, they should discuss this with their doctor, who can help explore treatment options.
In conclusion, changes in the colour of period blood can be a sign of endometriosis. If a person notices unusual changes in the colour of their period blood, changes in the odor of their period blood, symptoms of endometriosis, foul-smelling or discolored discharge, or any other symptoms related to endometriosis, they should contact a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
References:
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). Endometriosis. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355665
- NHS. (2021). Endometriosis. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/symptoms/
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). Endometriosis. [online] Available at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/endometriosis
- Endometriosis Foundation of America. (2021). What is Endometriosis? [online] Available at: https://www.endofound.org/endometriosis-basics/what-is-endometriosis/
- Office on Women's Health. (2021). Endometriosis. [online] Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis
In the context of health-and-wellness and women's health, endometriosis - a condition affecting the menstrual cycle - can cause period blood to appear brown or dark red, which may indicate oxidation or irregular bleeding. Moreover, scientists studying endometriosis have linked the condition to symptoms such as heavy and painful periods, infertility, and digestive issues, emphasizing the importance of seeking medical attention for any concerning changes in period blood color or symptoms.
