“The primary reason that period blood could be brown is because it's old blood,” said Dr. Cummings. It usually happens at the beginning or the end of your period, when your flow is lighter. Because the longer blood takes to leave the body, the longer it has to oxidize (read: get exposed to oxygen), which makes it dark.
Brown period blood is usually normal, but there are a few cases that may require evaluation by your physician. You can stop wondering why is my menstrual blood brown with these things in mind: Brown blood can indicate the beginning or end of your period.
Black blood can appear at the beginning or end of a person's period. The color is typically a sign of old blood or blood that has taken longer to leave the uterus and has had time to oxidize, first turning brown or dark red and then eventually becoming black.
Day 1 of your cycle is the first day of your period, meaning the first day of full flow (spotting doesn't count). During this time, the uterus sheds its lining from the previous cycle. Between days 1 – 5 of your cycle, new follicles (sacs of fluid containing eggs) begin to develop within your ovaries.
To track your period on a calendar, mark the first day your bleeding starts on a calendar with an "X." Put an X on each of the following days that you have bleeding. Count the first "X" as day 1. Keep counting the days until you have your next period. There are also apps that can help you track your period.
Yes! This is normal. Sometimes months your uterus has less tissue to clear than others - when this happens, you'll experience brown discharge instead of a full period. It is typically nothing to worry about, but if you find this happening month over month, talk to your doctor.
Blood produced during your period often is darker than the blood that appears when you're spotting. Another good indicator the bleeding may be due to spotting, is if you don't have any other menstrual symptoms, like breast tenderness or cramping.
Spotting is light bleeding that can occur between periods. It usually appears as a small amount of blood when wiping or on underwear. Possible causes include birth control, pregnancy, menopause, and more.
No period. Brown discharge or light spotting that never turns into a normal period flow could be implantation bleeding, which is an early sign of pregnancy. Typically, implantation bleeding happens between 10 and 14 days after conception. It can resemble a very light period, or may be more pinkish-brown in color.
You may see dark red blood upon waking during your period or after you've been lying down for a while. The deep color may merely mean that the blood has been in the uterus for a while but hasn't oxidized yet. Dark red blood is associated with the end of your period.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes, which can happen with thyroid problems or menopause, can cause small amounts of dark period blood. This change is also very common when switching birth control or when recently post-partum women start weaning from breastfeeding.
Several factors — such as diet, exercise, birth control pills, and health conditions — can cause a light period. What is most important is that a person listens to their body. If someone is concerned about the duration of their menstrual blood flow, they should talk with a doctor for clarification and reassurance.
Spotting is light bleeding that can occur between periods. It usually appears as a small amount of blood when wiping or on underwear. Possible causes include birth control, pregnancy, menopause, and more.
Light flow that starts a period may turn brown if it is exposed to oxygen during this journey. This can mix with vaginal discharge and appear as light brown discharge for 1-2 days before full period flow begins.
On occasion, you can get a brownish vaginal discharge in the middle of the menstrual cycle, or during the time of ovulation. This tends to be more common in teens who have just begun menstruating, in women who are taking a birth control, and in women who are peri-menopausal.
The brown and red spots that come before the period are subject to further discussion: If it is followed directly by the bleeding, then it is part of your period, so it is not permissible to pray and fast at that time. If it is separate from the bleeding, then it is not part of your period.
Mark your first day on the day you see this color change and the last day according to this same description. For example: day one (light pink spotting), days two through five (red bleeding), day six (light brown discharge), day seven (clear-whitish discharge). Mark days one through six on the calendar as period days.
If you notice it only when wiping or can easily absorb any light bleeding with a pantyliner (or even just underwear), it's spotting. If you need a pad or tampon to absorb bleeding between periods, it generally wouldn't be considered spotting.
Your period can be lighter than normal due to natural reasons, such as stress or perimenopause. It can also be lighter because of the birth control you are using, particularly if you are taking hormonal birth control pills or using a hormonal IUD.
Totally normal, and no reason to worry. Brown discharge during your period: again, this is usually very normal. Sometimes your uterus has more tissue to clear out than other months, and it can often look brown instead of red.
That's because menstrual bleeding isn't always as obvious as you'd expect it to be. Sure, it can start out with a steady flow that continues for several days, making it clear that your period has definitely begun. But, other times, you could get light bleeding that pauses for a few hours before starting again.
High stress levels are associated with: Painful periods. Presence of premenstrual symptoms like nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, and weight changes. Irregular menstrual cycles, with longer or shorter cycles than normal.
A light period is a period that lasts less than two days, and there is very little blood during this time. Light periods do not usually mean that you are less fertile, but it can make it more difficult for you to get pregnant.