What do different poop colors indicate. How can diet affect stool color. When should you be concerned about changes in stool color. What health issues can cause abnormal stool colors.

The Spectrum of Stool Colors: What’s Normal and What’s Not

The color of your stool can provide valuable insights into your digestive health and overall well-being. While variations in poop color are often harmless and diet-related, certain hues may signal underlying health issues. Understanding the meaning behind different stool colors can help you identify potential problems and determine when to seek medical attention.

What determines the color of your stool?

The primary factor influencing stool color is bile, a yellowish-green fluid produced by the liver to aid in fat digestion. As bile pigments travel through the digestive system, they undergo chemical changes, resulting in the typical brown color of healthy stool. However, various factors can alter this process, leading to a range of stool colors.

Brown Poop: The Hallmark of Healthy Digestion

Brown is the most common and typically healthy color for stool. It indicates that your digestive system is functioning normally, breaking down food and absorbing nutrients efficiently. The brown hue is a result of bile pigments being properly processed as they move through your intestines.

Is darker brown stool a cause for concern?

Generally, darker brown stool is not a cause for alarm. It may simply be the result of eating foods rich in iron or consuming certain medications. However, if your stool appears very dark or black, it could indicate bleeding in the upper digestive tract and warrant medical attention.

Green Poop: From Diet to Digestive Speed

Green stool is often harmless and can be attributed to various factors. In many cases, it’s simply a result of consuming green foods or supplements. However, it can also indicate that food is moving through your digestive system too quickly, preventing bile from breaking down completely.

What foods can cause green stool?

• Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale)
• Green food coloring in drinks or desserts
• Iron supplements

If you experience persistent green diarrhea without any obvious dietary cause, it may be worth consulting a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying digestive issues.

Yellow Poop: Potential Signs of Malabsorption

While yellow stool can be normal for some individuals, particularly infants, it may also indicate problems with fat digestion or absorption. Greasy, foul-smelling yellow stool could suggest that your body is not processing fats effectively.

Can celiac disease cause yellow stool?

Yes, celiac disease, an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten consumption, can lead to yellow, fatty stools. If you suspect celiac disease, it’s crucial to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Avoiding gluten-containing foods may help alleviate symptoms and normalize stool color.

White or Clay-Colored Stool: A Potential Red Flag

Pale or clay-colored stool is often a cause for concern, as it may indicate a lack of bile in the digestive system. This could be due to various factors affecting bile production or flow, including liver disease, gallbladder issues, or blockages in the bile ducts.

What medical conditions can cause pale stool?

1. Hepatitis
2. Gallstones
3. Tumors obstructing bile ducts
4. Biliary atresia (a congenital condition)

If you notice persistent pale or clay-colored stools, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly to identify and address the underlying cause.

Black Stool: When to Worry and When Not to

Black stool can range from harmless to potentially serious, depending on its cause. While certain foods and medications can result in dark stools, true black, tarry stool (melena) may indicate bleeding in the upper digestive tract.

What foods and medications can cause black stool?

• Black licorice
• Blueberries
• Iron supplements
• Bismuth subsalicylate (found in Pepto-Bismol and similar medications)

If you haven’t consumed any of these items and notice persistently black stools, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider to rule out internal bleeding or other serious conditions.

Red or Reddish Stool: Dietary Influence or Digestive Bleeding?

The sight of red in your stool can be alarming, but it’s not always a cause for immediate concern. In many cases, red or reddish stool is the result of consuming red-colored foods or beverages. However, it can also indicate bleeding in the lower digestive tract.

Which foods can cause red stool?

• Beets
• Tomato soup
• Red gelatin desserts
• Red-colored drinks

If you haven’t consumed any red foods and notice blood in your stool, it’s important to seek medical attention. This could be a sign of various conditions, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or more serious issues like inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer.

Orange Poop: Digestion and Diet Influences

Orange-colored stool is often related to diet or the speed of digestion. Consuming foods high in beta-carotene, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, can result in orange-tinted stool. Additionally, certain medications or supplements may contribute to this color change.

Can digestive issues cause orange stool?

In some cases, orange stool may indicate that food is moving through the digestive system too quickly, preventing bile from fully breaking down. This can occur with certain digestive conditions or after consuming large amounts of fat. If orange stools persist or are accompanied by other symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Stool Color Changes

While many stool color changes are harmless and temporary, certain situations warrant medical attention. It’s important to be aware of these scenarios to address potential health issues promptly.

What stool color changes require immediate medical attention?

• Persistent black, tarry stools (not explained by diet or medication)
• Bright red blood in the stool
• Persistent white or clay-colored stools
• Yellow, greasy, and foul-smelling stools (especially if accompanied by weight loss)

If you experience any of these changes or have concerns about your stool color, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider. They can help determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate diagnostic tests or treatments if necessary.

The Role of Diet in Stool Color Variations

Diet plays a significant role in determining stool color. Many foods and beverages can temporarily alter the appearance of your stool without necessarily indicating a health problem. Understanding these dietary influences can help you better interpret changes in your stool color.

How do different foods affect stool color?

• Green vegetables: Can lead to green stools
• Beets and red-colored foods: May cause reddish stools
• Blueberries and black licorice: Can result in dark or black stools
• Foods high in beta-carotene: May lead to orange-tinted stools

By considering your recent diet when noticing changes in stool color, you can often identify harmless causes and avoid unnecessary worry. However, if color changes persist or are accompanied by other symptoms, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional.

The Impact of Medications and Supplements on Stool Color

Various medications and supplements can affect stool color, sometimes in ways that might be mistaken for more serious issues. Being aware of these effects can help you better understand changes in your stool appearance and determine when to seek medical advice.

Which common medications can alter stool color?

• Iron supplements: Can cause dark green or black stools
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol): May lead to black or dark stools
• Antibiotics: Can sometimes cause green stools
• Antidiarrheal medications: May result in lighter-colored stools

If you’re taking any medications or supplements and notice changes in your stool color, consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. They can provide information on whether the change is an expected side effect or if it requires further investigation.

Stool Color in Infants and Young Children

Stool color can be particularly variable in infants and young children, often causing concern for parents. Understanding what’s normal and what’s not in this age group is crucial for monitoring a child’s health.

What’s normal for infant stool color?

Newborns typically have black, tarry stools (meconium) in the first few days of life. As they begin feeding, stool color can range from yellow to green in breastfed babies, while formula-fed infants may have slightly firmer, tan-colored stools. As solid foods are introduced, stool color will become more varied and similar to adult stools.

When should parents be concerned about their child’s stool color?

• White, pale, or clay-colored stools
• Red or bloody stools not explained by diet
• Black stools (after the newborn period)

If you notice any of these colors or have concerns about your child’s stool, consult your pediatrician. They can help determine if further evaluation is necessary and provide guidance on maintaining your child’s digestive health.

The Connection Between Stool Color and Digestive Health

While stool color alone doesn’t provide a complete picture of digestive health, it can offer valuable clues about the functioning of your gastrointestinal system. Understanding this connection can help you be more proactive about your overall health.

How does stool color reflect digestive health?

• Brown stools indicate normal digestion and bile production
• Green stools may suggest rapid transit through the intestines
• Pale stools could indicate issues with bile production or flow
• Black or red stools might signal bleeding in the digestive tract

By paying attention to your stool color and consistency, along with any accompanying symptoms, you can gain insights into your digestive health. This awareness can help you identify potential issues early and seek appropriate medical care when needed.

Lifestyle Factors Influencing Stool Color and Consistency

Beyond diet and medical conditions, various lifestyle factors can impact stool color and consistency. Understanding these influences can help you maintain optimal digestive health and recognize when changes might be cause for concern.

How do hydration and exercise affect stool?

Proper hydration is crucial for maintaining healthy bowel movements. Dehydration can lead to harder, darker stools and constipation. Regular exercise promotes healthy digestion by stimulating intestinal muscles and increasing blood flow to the digestive system. This can contribute to more regular bowel movements and potentially affect stool consistency.

Can stress impact stool color and consistency?

Stress can have a significant effect on digestive health. It may lead to changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation, which can in turn affect stool color and consistency. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, and adequate sleep can help maintain regular bowel function.

The Importance of Regular Bowel Health Monitoring

Regularly monitoring your bowel habits, including stool color and consistency, can provide valuable insights into your overall health. This practice can help you identify potential issues early and maintain optimal digestive function.

How often should you check your stool color?

While it’s not necessary to scrutinize every bowel movement, it’s a good idea to be generally aware of your stool’s appearance. Pay attention to any persistent changes in color, consistency, or frequency. If you notice any concerning changes that last for more than a few days or are accompanied by other symptoms, consult your healthcare provider.

What other factors should you consider when monitoring bowel health?

• Frequency of bowel movements
• Stool consistency (e.g., loose, hard, watery)
• Presence of mucus or undigested food
• Associated symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, bloating, nausea)

By maintaining awareness of these factors, you can better understand your digestive health and communicate any concerns effectively with your healthcare provider.

Maintaining Healthy Digestion: Tips for Optimal Stool Health

While some factors affecting stool color are beyond our control, there are several steps you can take to promote healthy digestion and maintain normal stool appearance.

What dietary habits promote healthy digestion?

• Consume a balanced diet rich in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Limit intake of processed foods, excessive fats, and artificial additives
• Consider incorporating probiotic-rich foods or supplements to support gut health

How can lifestyle changes improve digestive health?

In addition to dietary habits, certain lifestyle changes can positively impact your digestive health:

• Engage in regular physical activity to stimulate bowel function
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, or yoga
• Establish a regular toileting routine to promote consistent bowel movements
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, which can negatively affect digestive health

By implementing these dietary and lifestyle practices, you can support healthy digestion and potentially reduce the likelihood of experiencing unusual stool colors or consistencies.

What Do Different Poop Colors Mean?

Written by Hope Cristol

• What Do Different Stool Colors Mean?
• Normal Poop Color
• Green Poop
• Yellow Poop
• White, Pale, or Clay-Colored Poop
• Black Poop
• Red or Reddish Poop
• Orange Poop
• When to Get Help for Poop Color Changes
• More

Different stool colors can mean different things, mostly depending on what you’ve eaten.

You’d probably notice if your poop is a different hue than normal. But what does it mean if it’s green? What about red, yellow, white, or black? Or orange?

Most of the time, minor changes in the color of your waste are due to diet. After all, we don’t eat the same thing at every meal, every day. But sometimes a color change can signal a minor health issue. In rare cases, it means something serious is wrong in your digestive system.

If the color you see before you flush worries you, call your doctor.

Poop is normally brown. The color is the result of what you eat and how much bile is in your stool.

Bile is a fluid your liver makes to digest fats. It starts out as a yellowish green color. But as the pigments that give bile its color travel through your digestive system, they go through chemical changes and turn brown.

Your poop can sometimes have a slightly greenish hue, or even be a more vivid green. Most of the time, green or greenish poop is normal.

Is your diet causing green poop?

Think back on what you’ve been eating. These foods and supplements can cause your poop to be green:

• Green veggies, like spinach or kale
• Green food coloring, such as in drink mixes or ice pops
• Iron supplements

Other causes of green poop

If you have green diarrhea, the color of your food may not be to blame. It’s likely that your meal moved through your gut too quickly, so the fat-digesting bile didn’t have time to turn brown.

There may be times when your poop looks more yellow than brown.

This shade is also normal for many people. It’s common for babies, especially those who breastfeed. But if you have yellow poop that looks greasy and smells very bad, it may have too much fat. That could be a sign your body isn’t digesting food properly.

Is your diet causing yellow poop?

Indirectly, your diet could cause yellow poop. If you have celiac disease, your body can’t handle a protein called gluten, which is in wheat, barley, and rye. If you have the condition and eat foods that have gluten, like many breads, pastas, and cookies, your intestines won’t work as they should. So, if you’re eating those foods, and your poop is yellow, it may be time to see a doctor.

Other causes of yellow poop

There may be other causes of yellow poop that’s greasy and smelly. If it happens to you often, tell your doctor.

Sometimes, poop may not have much color at all.

Is your diet causing pale poop?

If your poop is pale, it’s not likely directly due to a food. But medicines for diarrhea like bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) can sometimes cause pale or clay-colored poop. So can barium, a chalky liquid you drink before you get X-rays of the upper part of your digestive tract.

Other causes of pale poop

A more serious cause is a lack of bile in your stool. (Remember, bile gives poop its brown color.) Your body makes bile in the liver, stores it in the gallbladder, and releases it into your small intestine to help digest your food. If there’s not enough of it to give your poop its typical brown color, it could be a sign of a problem along the way.

Liver disease, such as hepatitis, can keep bile from getting into your body waste. So can a blockage in the tubes (called ducts) that carry bile. This can happen because of:

• Gallstones
• A tumor
• A condition you’re born with called biliary atresia

Babies’ poop is black for the first few days after they’re born. Otherwise, it may be because you ate something very dark-colored or took a medicine or supplement that causes black poop. But this color can be a sign of a more serious problem: bleeding in the upper part of your digestive tract.

Is your diet causing black poop?

Foods and supplements that turn poop black include:

• Black licorice
• Blueberries
• Iron supplements

Medicines that have bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) can also cause very dark stools.

Other causes of black poop

Poop that looks like tar is often a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract. Some causes include:

• Bleeding from stomach ulcers
• Bleeding sores in your esophagus from acid reflux
• Bleeding from noncancerous tumors in the upper GI tract
• Cancer

If you don’t think black poop came from what you ate, you need to talk to your doctor.

If you see red or reddish poop in the toilet, don’t be alarmed right away. First ask yourself if you’ve had red foods lately.

Is your diet causing red or reddish poop?

Several foods can change the color of your stool to a pink or reddish color:

• Beets
• Tomato soup
• Gelatin dessert
• Red drinks

Other causes of red or reddish poop

If you don’t think your diet is the cause, the red you see may be blood. And if it’s bright red, the blood likely comes from the lower part of your digestive tract. Common causes include:

• Noncancerous tumors
• Cancer
• Inflammation in the colon, called colitis
• Growths called polyps in your colon
• Conditions caused by small sacs in the wall of the colon, called diverticular disease
• Hemorrhoids

Call your doctor if you see red that’s probably not from food you ate.

Poop can often come out the color of the food that went in, especially if you have diarrhea. If your poop has an orange hue, it’s most likely due to some orange foods.

Is your diet causing orange poop?

Foods that have beta-carotene can turn your poop orange, such as:

• Carrots
• Winter squash
• Pumpkin
• Sweet potatoes

Foods with orange coloring, such as sodas, candy, or gelatin dessert, can also give your poop an orange color.

Also, antibiotics and antacids that have aluminum hydroxide in them can make your stool orange.

Other causes of orange poop

Rarely, poop can be orange if you have a problem with your liver that causes it to make less bile than normal, or a blockage that keeps bile from leaving the liver and entering your system. But usually, if this is the case, your poop will be pale or clay-colored.

Most of the time, poop that’s a different color from what you’re used to isn’t something to worry about. It’s rare for it to be a sign of a serious condition in your digestive system. But if it’s white, bright red, or black, and you don’t think it’s from something you ate, call your doctor.

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What Do Different Poop Colors Mean?

Written by Hope Cristol

• What Do Different Stool Colors Mean?
• Normal Poop Color
• Green Poop
• Yellow Poop
• White, Pale, or Clay-Colored Poop
• Black Poop
• Red or Reddish Poop
• Orange Poop
• When to Get Help for Poop Color Changes
• More

Different stool colors can mean different things, mostly depending on what you’ve eaten.

You’d probably notice if your poop is a different hue than normal. But what does it mean if it’s green? What about red, yellow, white, or black? Or orange?

Most of the time, minor changes in the color of your waste are due to diet. After all, we don’t eat the same thing at every meal, every day. But sometimes a color change can signal a minor health issue. In rare cases, it means something serious is wrong in your digestive system.

If the color you see before you flush worries you, call your doctor.

Poop is normally brown. The color is the result of what you eat and how much bile is in your stool.

Bile is a fluid your liver makes to digest fats. It starts out as a yellowish green color. But as the pigments that give bile its color travel through your digestive system, they go through chemical changes and turn brown.

Your poop can sometimes have a slightly greenish hue, or even be a more vivid green. Most of the time, green or greenish poop is normal.

Is your diet causing green poop?

Think back on what you’ve been eating. These foods and supplements can cause your poop to be green:

• Green veggies, like spinach or kale
• Green food coloring, such as in drink mixes or ice pops
• Iron supplements

Other causes of green poop

If you have green diarrhea, the color of your food may not be to blame. It’s likely that your meal moved through your gut too quickly, so the fat-digesting bile didn’t have time to turn brown.

There may be times when your poop looks more yellow than brown.

This shade is also normal for many people. It’s common for babies, especially those who breastfeed. But if you have yellow poop that looks greasy and smells very bad, it may have too much fat. That could be a sign your body isn’t digesting food properly.

Is your diet causing yellow poop?

Indirectly, your diet could cause yellow poop. If you have celiac disease, your body can’t handle a protein called gluten, which is in wheat, barley, and rye. If you have the condition and eat foods that have gluten, like many breads, pastas, and cookies, your intestines won’t work as they should. So, if you’re eating those foods, and your poop is yellow, it may be time to see a doctor.

Other causes of yellow poop

There may be other causes of yellow poop that’s greasy and smelly. If it happens to you often, tell your doctor.

Sometimes, poop may not have much color at all.

Is your diet causing pale poop?

If your poop is pale, it’s not likely directly due to a food. But medicines for diarrhea like bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) can sometimes cause pale or clay-colored poop. So can barium, a chalky liquid you drink before you get X-rays of the upper part of your digestive tract.

Other causes of pale poop

A more serious cause is a lack of bile in your stool. (Remember, bile gives poop its brown color.) Your body makes bile in the liver, stores it in the gallbladder, and releases it into your small intestine to help digest your food. If there’s not enough of it to give your poop its typical brown color, it could be a sign of a problem along the way.

Liver disease, such as hepatitis, can keep bile from getting into your body waste. So can a blockage in the tubes (called ducts) that carry bile. This can happen because of:

• Gallstones
• A tumor
• A condition you’re born with called biliary atresia

Babies’ poop is black for the first few days after they’re born. Otherwise, it may be because you ate something very dark-colored or took a medicine or supplement that causes black poop. But this color can be a sign of a more serious problem: bleeding in the upper part of your digestive tract.

Is your diet causing black poop?

Foods and supplements that turn poop black include:

• Black licorice
• Blueberries
• Iron supplements

Medicines that have bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) can also cause very dark stools.

Other causes of black poop

Poop that looks like tar is often a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract. Some causes include:

• Bleeding from stomach ulcers
• Bleeding sores in your esophagus from acid reflux
• Bleeding from noncancerous tumors in the upper GI tract
• Cancer

If you don’t think black poop came from what you ate, you need to talk to your doctor.

If you see red or reddish poop in the toilet, don’t be alarmed right away. First ask yourself if you’ve had red foods lately.

Is your diet causing red or reddish poop?

Several foods can change the color of your stool to a pink or reddish color:

• Beets
• Tomato soup
• Gelatin dessert
• Red drinks

Other causes of red or reddish poop

If you don’t think your diet is the cause, the red you see may be blood. And if it’s bright red, the blood likely comes from the lower part of your digestive tract. Common causes include:

• Noncancerous tumors
• Cancer
• Inflammation in the colon, called colitis
• Growths called polyps in your colon
• Conditions caused by small sacs in the wall of the colon, called diverticular disease
• Hemorrhoids

Call your doctor if you see red that’s probably not from food you ate.

Poop can often come out the color of the food that went in, especially if you have diarrhea. If your poop has an orange hue, it’s most likely due to some orange foods.

Is your diet causing orange poop?

Foods that have beta-carotene can turn your poop orange, such as:

• Carrots
• Winter squash
• Pumpkin
• Sweet potatoes

Foods with orange coloring, such as sodas, candy, or gelatin dessert, can also give your poop an orange color.

Also, antibiotics and antacids that have aluminum hydroxide in them can make your stool orange.

Other causes of orange poop

Rarely, poop can be orange if you have a problem with your liver that causes it to make less bile than normal, or a blockage that keeps bile from leaving the liver and entering your system. But usually, if this is the case, your poop will be pale or clay-colored.

Most of the time, poop that’s a different color from what you’re used to isn’t something to worry about. It’s rare for it to be a sign of a serious condition in your digestive system. But if it’s white, bright red, or black, and you don’t think it’s from something you ate, call your doctor.

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What does dark stool mean?

• Main page

• beauty

• Health

Contents

• Cal. normal color
• Why does feces turn black?

A person who monitors the state of his body often pays attention to the color of urine and feces. It is these secretions that can become indicators of the changes taking place in it. For example, sometimes the question may arise: what does dark-colored feces mean? Let’s try to find an answer to it.

Cal. Normal color

Discoloration of stool can occur for various reasons. In humans, feces that are yellowish-brown to dark brown are considered normal. One of the most common reasons for its darkening is certain foods, as well as the level of bile content. For example, as a result of a violation of the outflow of bile, stool becomes light in color.

Why does stool turn black?

The appearance of black stool, as a rule, causes anxiety in a person and a desire to know the reason for such changes. There are a number of reasons why stool color may change.

• Eating “colored” foods that cause staining of feces (and such changes can be observed within 3 days). These products include:

prunes

beets

red grapes

black pudding.

If you have consumed any of the above on the eve of the appearance of black feces, you must exclude them from the diet for 4-5 days. If after that the feces remain black, then the reason lies elsewhere.

• This type of change may occur with certain medications. These are iron-containing agents (Sorbifer, Ferrum Lek, Aktiferrin, Maltofer and others), taking activated black carbon and bismuth preparations.

If a change in the color of the feces occurs while taking these drugs, then this is not a contraindication. Consultation with your doctor will help dispel all doubts.

• The appearance of dark stools may be a sign of bleeding in the esophagus, stomach ulcers, stomach cancer, etc. Black feces are called “melena”.

It is important to know that the presence of serious internal pathologies can be indicated not only by the dark color of the stool, but also by the appearance of pain in the epigastric region, weakness, nausea, and vomiting.

One more nuance should be noted. The cause of bleeding in people suffering from duodenal ulcers or stomach ulcers may be antiplatelet agents (aspirin, cardiomagnyl) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The drugs themselves do not turn the stool black, but they can cause bleeding that will turn the stool black.

If you have dark stools for several days (it is necessary to exclude the reason for taking colored products), you should consult a doctor and take tests.

Tags:

• cal
• color

What color is menstrual flow in a healthy girl?

What color is menstruation?

It is difficult to give an unambiguous answer to the question of what color menstruation should be. The shade of menstrual blood can be very different. And it’s not just the individual characteristics of each organism. Often the color changes even during one menstruation. The discharge is usually red, brown, or dark brown. Their shade depends on hormonal fluctuations and other factors related to women’s health. Let’s take a closer look at what normal periods can be.

What is the color of the first period?

Many girls who have just entered puberty are interested in what color their period is and how to find out what it is. Menstruation usually begins for the first time between the ages of 9 and 15. ¹ The color of the first menses is normally reddish or brownish. Usually the discharge is not too intense, so you may only notice a few dark spots on your underwear.

What color is the discharge on the first and subsequent days of menstruation?

Normal periods usually last 3-5 days. During this time, the color of menstrual flow can change significantly. Don’t worry! In most cases, this is completely normal.

On the first day. At the onset of menstruation, many girls and adult women develop a characteristic dark, thick discharge in the form of smears. This is due to the fact that the discharge of an unfertilized egg during menstruation does not occur immediately, but gradually. As a rule, dark discharge lasts no more than a day.

In the middle of menses. Usually the color of blood during menstruation is red. The shade can vary from quite bright to dark. Often the color depends on the amount of blood lost. With scanty monthly discharge, it is often dark, with abundant – red or burgundy. They may contain mucus and small clots. Bright scarlet menstrual blood in the first 1-3 days (but not longer!) Is also considered normal.

In the last days of menstruation. By the fourth day of menstruation, the discharge should become darker and thicker. At the end of menstruation, within 3 days, you may notice the appearance of brown smears on the underwear. So the uterus is completely cleared of all “unnecessary”. During this period, you can use panty liners such as Carefree®.

Why does my menstrual flow change color?

The color changes because the discharge is a combination of menstrual blood, vaginal secretions and flaking uterine lining (those are the same clots that you might notice when changing hygiene products). On different days of menstruation, their composition and consistency are not the same. As you already know, on the very first and last days, the color of normal periods is dark, the rest of the time it is red or brownish. The reason for the change in the color of menstrual flow can be hormonal fluctuations, oral contraceptives, stress, hypothermia, pregnancy, various diseases.

When should a change in the color of your period alert you?

The color of menstrual blood should not change suddenly from cycle to cycle. For example, if you usually have enough red discharge, and now during your period they have become unexpectedly dark, almost black, this is an occasion to at least take a closer look at your well-being. You should be especially alert to a sudden change in the color or consistency of your menstrual flow that coincides with the onset of other symptoms, such as:

• increase or decrease in the duration of the menstrual cycle;
• the appearance of severe pain in the lower abdomen;
• frequent and/or uncomfortable urination;
• itching and burning in the perineum;
• the acquisition of secretions of an unpleasant putrid odor.

Any of the above signs may indicate inflammatory diseases of the female reproductive system, so they should not be ignored. In addition, you should be alerted to “unscheduled” discharge in the middle of the cycle, even if they are similar to your regular periods. It does not matter what color they are – brown or bright scarlet – in this case, you must definitely go to the doctor. ²

If you feel that the color of your menstrual blood has suddenly changed and you are worried about it, you should consult a gynecologist. The doctor will listen to your complaints, conduct an examination and, if necessary, prescribe an additional examination.

Literature

1. Nikitina I.L., Bairamov A.A., Khoduleva Yu.N. and others
   Kisspeptins in the physiology and pathology of sexual development – ​​new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities V.A. Almazov» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, St. Petersburg
   Reviews of clinical pharmacology and drug therapy.