Women's health is a very fragile mechanism that must be constantly taken care of. Today we want to talk a little more about such a common phenomenon as menstruation. What else can I say about this, you will raise your hands. So many books and articles, so much information that only the lazy did not even bother to find out everything that interests him. However, there is one point that is poorly lit. Scarlet blood with menstruation - is this the norm or pathology? Do not know? Then let's deal with you.
What is menstrual blood
If we consider this fluid from the point of view of physiology, then this is not exactly blood, but a slightly different liquid. During vascular damage, mucus and tissue particles enter it, so normally it is much darker than arterial blood. Ideally, such discharge has a brick hue, near the end of menstruation, the color should become completely dark. Mixing blood and endometrial particles gives this effect. But the scarlet shade of discharge indicates that at least the process of stopping bleeding is disturbed.
What should be the color
In fact, it varies depending on the day of the cycle and the state of health of the woman. In any case, red blood during menstruation on the first as well as on the second day is the absolute norm. This means that your body works like a watch. Most often, such blood has the smell of iron. You can easily imagine it, the same you feel when you injure your finger.
However, already on the third day it is necessary to pay close attention to this symptom. Scarlet blood with menstruation on the third day indicates the existing problems, although it is too early to make a diagnosis. There can be many reasons for this, so if nothing else bothers you, you can wait another month and just watch. However, if you additionally experience discomfort or pain, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Is it worth suspecting something was wrong
If the discharge is plentiful, then you can wait with conclusions. If red blood during menstruation is combined with scanty secretions, then this may indicate a serious malfunction. This may be normal for a teenage girl whose cycle is only being established. A similar picture may be in women older than 50 years, before menopause. If we are talking about a woman of reproductive age, then we definitely need to undergo an examination.
Background
Menstruation in red blood can go for a number of reasons. It is impossible to ignore such a symptom, because it can indicate a serious pathology.
- The very first reason is a pathological pregnancy. If you have at least the slightest suspicion that you may be pregnant, then run to the doctor.
- Analyze how you protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy. Improperly selected hormonal contraceptives and the intrauterine device can also disrupt the cycle.
- If there is a gynecological operation in the history, then this may well be its consequence.
- Scarlet blood during menstruation can be a consequence of polyps in the uterus.
- Various infectious diseases are another possible cause.
- Oncology is another disease that helps to recognize red blood at the end of menstruation.
Most common causes
As follows from all of the above, bright menstruation is observed when the processes of stopping blood are disrupted. That is, we can assume that there are two main reasons for this phenomenon. This is primarily a pathology of the circulatory system, which is easily diagnosed by laboratory tests. The second reason is local processes in the uterus.
- Inflammatory processes (we are talking about chronic cases) cause thinning of the inner lining of the uterus. As a result of damage to blood vessels, blood periodically spills out of them, forming short-term bleeding.
- Blood diseases that lead to a decrease in coagulation factors.
- Malignant tumors can grow into the wall of the uterus and cause destruction of the arteries. If a large neoplasm is located inside the uterine cavity, it also manifests itself as bleeding. If there is a suspicion of oncology, the doctor suggests a specific examination.
We draw conclusions for ourselves
That is, the symptom is quite specific and ambiguous. It can indicate a number of pathologies, and is also an individual feature of the body or a consequence of a disease. Therefore, to find out why with menstruation, scarlet blood goes not only on the first day, as expected, you can only consult.
If the cycle is stable
As we have already said, such phenomena can be a variant of the norm for young girls in whom the cycle is just beginning to be established, as well as for women over 50 years of age. All the rest should be alerted by red blood with menstruation. The reasons we described above, but this is not an exhaustive list.
When menstruation is just beginning, the discharge is usually lighter. At this time, menstrual blood is quite liquid. But in the last days, the endometrium manages to oxidize and curl up.
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the process of oxidation and reduction is a must. If your cycle is regular and suddenly the shade of blood changes dramatically, this is a cause for excitement. If the menstruation has been going on for 4 days, and the color is still scarlet, then you need to go to a doctor's consultation.
Uterine bleeding
If red blood went after the menstruation, then this is 100% not a repetition of menstruation, but uterine bleeding. This is an alarming symptom that requires a mandatory medical examination and the appointment of the necessary treatment. In this case, be sure to pay attention to the consistency, smell and duration of secretions. This will help the doctor make the correct diagnosis.
How to distinguish the next menstruation from bleeding? First of all, do not panic, but carefully evaluate the nature of the leaking substance. Uterine bleeding is almost odorless, and the blood is fluid and fluid, without mucus and lumps.
Highlight intensity
If red blood flows in a continuous stream, soaking the pads one by one, then call an ambulance immediately. In just an hour, you can lose so much blood that your head starts spinning. During menstruation, blood comes out in portions, and you lose about 60 ml per day. And if bleeding clearly exceeds this norm, then it's time to sound the alarm.
Obvious signs of bleeding are drowsiness and blanching of the skin. If you cannot lead a normal life, get tired quickly, want to sleep and feel dizzy, then these are clear signs of blood loss.
Dark color of menstrual blood
If the menstrual flow was always light enough, and suddenly changed its color to dark, this is also a reason for excitement. Moreover, this symptom is very ambiguous. It can either be a variant of the norm, or indicate a violation in the operation of the system.
Normally, menstrual flow can range from red or brown to black. However, if for many years you are accustomed to the fact that your discharge is red, and suddenly they turn black, then you should consult a doctor.
What diseases can indicate too dark blood
- This may be a physiological uterine distension after pregnancy. This phenomenon is temporary, gradually the uterus will return to normal.
- This phenomenon can be normal with menopause. At this time, there is a narrowing of the cervical canal.
- Too dark blood can indicate the presence of benign neoplasms in the uterus.
- Endocrine disease and endometriosis can also cause menstrual blood to become too dark.
As is the case with light highlights, dark highlights alone don't say anything. They should be considered in the complex complaints of the client, with an analysis of her well-being and laboratory tests.
To summarize
As you can see, everything is very individual. That for one is a variant of the norm, for another it is a striking symptom of a progressive disease. Therefore, focus primarily on your well-being. If you see that the picture is clearly not like all previous menstruation, then you need to see a doctor and undergo a diagnosis. And if the scarlet blood is supplemented by painful symptoms, dizziness and weakness, fever, then this is an occasion for emergency treatment to the hospital. It will be much better if you just reinsured and underwent an extraordinary examination.