Menstrual cycles are an inevitable part of being a woman that the majority can’t avoid, regardless of how much this time of the month is not liked. If one pays close enough attention it may even provide clues as to what is happening in your health and be trying to tell you something. Most don’t give their periods much thought, as it happens every month, wanted or not. Most tend to get used to cramps and tender breasts, but what about seeing something abnormal?
Most physicians will focus on a few key metrics including body weight, heart rate, and blood pressure at a standard check-up. Your menstrual cycle can provide clues of health, and what might be going on inside. Whether experiencing unusually large clots or spotting between cycles these little signs can be the body’s way of trying to draw attention.
Menstrual blood colour and consistency is a good place to start that may provide some insight. Even if you feel normal but notice some changes, it doesn’t hurt to get an informed and professional second opinion. It may be nothing, but it may be something, it’s always best to be safe when it comes to your health.
Colour can change normally depending on where you are in your cycle, menstrual blood colour can differ, what may grace us with its presence on day one will most times not be the same as what is there on day five.
That being said if blood is pinkish instead of red and is accompanied with a lighter than normal flow it could mean that estrogen levels are low. Studies have shown that exercising more than normal to excess can mess around with hormone levels. Poor nutrition can also come into play, as well as perimenopause, it is suggested to speak to a doctor.
Oxidized blood turns brown, sometimes almost black, most times this colour change is nothing to worry about, and is likely to be small pieces of uterine lining and older blood. Every women sheds uterine lining at varying rates, and each cycle can differ slightly, this is actually normal, especially near the start or end of a cycle.
Watery blood can be a sign of being deficient in key nutrients, mainly iron. If at first it is watery and lighter than normal followed by cycles that are becoming increasingly lighter it may be a sign of being anemic. Alternatively heavy cycles can also mean that you need to have iron levels checked. According to the World Health Organization 1.62 billion people worldwide are anemic.
Grayish red blood is hard to miss, and may be accompanied by an unpleasant odor. This can mean that an infection is present, and this should be addressed immediately.
Some clotting is normal and common during a cycle. If clots are the size of a quarter it is possible there may be a significant hormonal imbalance, this is often caused by high levels of estrogen combined with low levels of progesterone; a fibroid may also be the cause especially if there is pain.
Severe and troublesome symptoms such as bloating, mood swings, pain can mean that there is an imbalance, even if it is subtle. Whether you become She-Hulk or break out in acne it will be beneficial to address the triggers. Meditation is said to help treat many of these symptoms, and can be of benefit to all aspects of life.
Sometimes women can experience severe pain that is almost disabling, this may be endometriosis which affects between 6-10 of women, making important that warning signs are not missed.
It’s fairly safe to say that no woman welcomes their monthly menstrual cycle with open arms, but that does not mean potential warning signs should be ignored. If something seems abnormal and is persistent, it may well be, so pay attention to what your body is trying to say.
Let’s not forget that with age the body changes, and so does the cycle, as one approaches menopause nature throws a wrench into the system, and regular cycles can change, just another perk of being female, but that’s another topic.
“ If you listen to your body when it whispers, you won’t have to hear it scream” ~ Pilates
