Black period blood can happen for a variety of reasons. Many women will experience this at some point in their life, and in most cases, it’s not a cause for concern.
In fact, if you’re near the end of your period, it’s likely normal.
Table of Contents
- So, Why Is My Period Blood Black?
- 1. End of Cycle Blood
- 2. Blot Clots
- 3. Pregnancy
So, Why Is My Period Blood Black?
Blood stays red when it exits the body because the blood is fresh. When you’re bleeding black blood, this indicates that the blood is older and has not exited the body quickly.
Ultimately, the blood begins to dry and turns a dark red, brown, or even a black color.
The most common reasons for black menstrual blood are:
1. End of Cycle Blood
During your menstrual cycle, blood will lay dormant in the body and not be expelled fast enough. This happens to a lot of women until the end of their cycle where all of the blood is eventually expelled.
If the blood remained in the body for a long time, it may appear dark brown or black in color.
Remember, this should only be occurring at the end of your cycle and not at the beginning. Black menstrual blood at the beginning of your cycle is possibly caused by clotting, and will require a visit to the doctor.
2. Blot Clots
Blood clots naturally when a woman is menstruating. Normally found in a bright red color and described as a jelly texture, this blood shouldn’t be black.
If you do pass clots that are black, this is a cause for concern and may indicate a further internal issue. If you experience black blood clots, it’s important to schedule a visit with your local doctor.
3. Pregnancy
A few women will get their period the first month that they’re pregnant. While not a common occurrence, menstruation will not last long and is usually more of a spotting than a heavy flow.
Brown discharge is common during pregnancy and can be confused for blood.
In some cases, this discharge will be a very dark brown or black in color, which is normal. If you already confirmed that you’re pregnant and you have menstrual bleeding, it may be caused by a miscarriage.
Not all black blood during pregnancy results in a miscarriage, but it does warrant a thorough checkup from the doctor to ensure that you and your baby are in good health.
There is also a chance that your black period blood is caused by an infection or STD. Uterus infections can cause blackening as well as many STDs.
Women that have sex during their cycle also experience black bleeding because the blood was pushed back into the vagina and can become trapped as a result.
Black blood is not a cause of concern or worry unless it’s frequent and recurring. If you experience slight black bleeding, it’s likely that it won’t occur again.
An issue arises if there is either a lot of black blood present or if it occurs when menstruation first begins and not towards the end of the cycle.