Menstrual health is a topic that should be carefully considered. Inquiring into menstrual cycles and the characteristics of each cycle is a significant aspect for every woman.
Since the body functions differently for each person, menstruation is not the same for everyone. So, knowing the colors, timing and possible abnormalities are of valuable importance.
Colors during menstruation may vary due to two causes:
Time of exposure of the blood to oxygen.
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Blood retention time in the channel.
Based on this, there may be a reference for color variation according to the days of the menstrual period. It can be seen in the table below:
The colors present in the menstrual flow and not to be alarmed about are: red, black, and brown. But if these colors are not part of the menstrual cycle and instead are replaced by a pinkish or grayish tone, you should go to the doctor for a detailed study.
Characteristics of Menstrual Bleeding
Characteristics of Menstrual Bleeding
Due to the nature of the endometrial tissue, the blood vessels are injured at that level, producing bleeding, where endometrial mucus is simultaneously expelled.
According to studies, the bleeding that is expelled is composed of water, dead endometrial cells, stem cells, hormones, proteins, lipids, and organic contaminants that are often used in personal care products.
For this reason, the use of ecological, chemical- and plastic-free pads is recommended, which are hypoallergenic, breathable, and have a greater absorption capacity.
Among the characteristics, the color may vary due to the time it takes to expel the entire menstrual flow.
Menstruation: shedding of endometrial tissue
Menstruation: shedding of endometrial tissue
Menstruation is a process in which the lining tissue of the uterus is shed. The endometrium consists of several layers of which the most superficial ones are shed, and since it has abundant stem cells, it is in constant change of decomposition and regeneration in each menstrual cycle.
And why does this detachment takes place? Because this tissue houses the ovum and, if it is fertilized, it will also house the embryo. Menstruation occurs when there was no fertilization and the body must expel the endometrial tissue prepared for pregnancy.
Subsequently, the endometrium enters a phase of proliferation where it begins to thicken again due to the intervention of estrogen. Then, it goes through a second phase called secretory, in which the mucosa continues to thicken and begins to have abundant vascularization.
When the woman does not become pregnant, the preparation of the endometrium does not fulfill any function, so the organism affects this tissue. The process takes place when progesterone decreases and the endometrium undergoes desquamation. The result of this process is known as menstruation.