There are many variations in the rate of red days of the calendar – for women this period can go completely differently. But in any case, you need to pay attention to some changes. For example, on the color of menstruation – from it you can often determine the possible deviation. Here are 6 flowers that can tell you a lot about your health.
Various aspects of critical days can provide a ton of information about your health. Last year, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology published a report in which menstruation is suggested to be used as vital indicators, such as pressure, pulse and temperature. The cycle not only makes the girl understand whether she is pregnant or not, but also helps to identify hormonal problems in the body. And hormones, as you know, are responsible not only for the reproductive system, but also for the work of almost everything – from the brain to the bones. Pay attention not only to the length of the cycle, but also to the color of your periods – they can tell you a lot about your health condition, and in the case of an uncharacteristic color, warn you that you need to urgently make an appointment with a gynecologist. These are the colors that may alert you.
Pinkish tint
It may indicate a low level of the hormone estrogen. Functional medicine specialist Margaret Romero from New York notes that the picture is especially alarming if the amount of discharge is less than usual, and in addition you are an avid runner.
Studies have shown that intense exercise can lower estrogen levels. Sometimes this affects the menstrual cycle, until its complete disappearance, that is, amenorrhea. For professional athletes, for example, the absence of menstruation and ovulation is a common occurrence.
Some of us may rejoice at the prospect of getting rid of such an unpleasant and often painful period. But alas, everything is not so rosy. A low level of estrogen increases the risk of developing osteoporosis if nothing is done with this violation. So turn to a gynecologist if you notice unusual pallor and a small amount of blood during your period against the background of preparing for a marathon or increasing the intensity of your workouts.
Margaret Romero says the other culprits for pinkish and scanty discharge may be malnutrition, polycystic ovary syndrome, or premenopause. During this period, 4-5 years before menopause, the ovaries produce less estrogen.
Watery look
Professor Alyssa Dwack of Mount Sinai School of Medicine says that watery periods can be a sign of an insufficient amount of nutrients that you get from food. As if diluted with water, secretions can also sometimes speak of anemia. The chance of its presence is especially high if the period of menstruation is shorter and blood is less. If this repeats several cycles in a row, do not delay and take a blood test. He will determine which components of the food you get less.
Sometimes iron deficiency in the body can be the result of excessively heavy periods. A Finnish study of 236 women with a severe menstrual period found that 27% of those observed suffered from iron deficiency and 60% had anemia. So check your iron level if your pads or tampons get wet in less than an hour. An alarming bell, if at night you get up several times to change hygiene products, and still constantly feel tired these days.
Dark brown color
This shade of blood, as well as the appearance of endometrial clots, can be quite normal. “We cannot always pinpoint the causes of this phenomenon, but often the blood just stagnates and then slowly and gradually comes out,” says Alyssa Dwack. “Blood is saturated with oxygen, which is why it looks dark brown, and sometimes even almost black.”
Separation of dead endometrium in all women occurs at different speeds and intensities. Here we are all as unique as snowflakes always differing from each other. Doctors concluded that dark blood at the beginning of menstruation is not a cause for concern.
Jam-like highlight with large lumps
This type of menstruation often indicates a low level of progesterone and a high level of estrogen. Alyssa Dwack explains that a certain number of lumps is quite normal, but especially large clots are often a sign of hormonal problems. Margaret Romero advises to reduce the consumption of dairy products, soy and sugar and see if the situation changes for the better.
It is possible that the cause of such discharge may be uterine fibroids. This is a benign type of tumor, but it can be quite painful. If you feel pain with the type of discharge described, ask your doctor for an ultrasound scan.
A mixture of gray and red colors
Such a mix often acts as a symptom of infections, including sexually transmitted infections. Alyssa Dwack notices that in this case you may also encounter a very pungent and unpleasant odor. If an infection is detected in the tests, the gynecologist will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Sometimes women find pieces of tissue that look like a liver among the secretions. This often indicates a pregnancy or a miscarriage. If you notice such at home, immediately consult a doctor.
Bright red highlight
They often say that you have healthy and regular periods. The concept of “normal” for each organism is different, but such a color usually frightens women in vain. You can exhale!