Menstrual blood is your monthly health check
Because you can draw certain conclusions from the colour of menstrual blood, especially if you are bothered by menstrual cramps. Menstrual days are not supposed to be painful, yet many women cannot continue their daily activities without heavy painkillers. It seems like nothing can be done about it? Should women generation after generation just keep ‘swallowing’ this? I want to share with you what causes menstrual complaints, what different colours of bleeding are possible and what your hormonal balance has to do with it. Read on quickly to find out how to deal with different discomforts. Check what your menstrual blood has to say!
What does menstrual blood say about your hormonal cycle?
The menstrual cycle is basically a recurring pattern of the hormones oestrogen (estradiol), testosterone and progesterone. In the 4 phases into which you can divide the cycle, different hormones are active each time. These hormones determine not only your cycle course but also your health from head to toe, including what your menstrual blood looks like. After your period, you may experience different emotions compared to before your period, very recognisable? When these hormones do not follow each other adequately you speak of a hormonal imbalance and complaints can arise. Spotting, intermittent bleeding, PMS, PCOS, menstrual pains, heavy bleeding during menstruation are well-known complaints, but don't forget what this does to you psychologically!
Because every complaint has a cause, we will get to the bottom of it. Keep reading because you will find information you haven't heard before!
If you know the cause, you are one step closer to the solution.
Menstrual pain
Primary dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pains) is probably due to disruption in the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway. This pathway is supposed to inhibit inflammation and prevent bleeding in your body. When the COX enzyme does not work optimally, increased prostanoid production occurs, especially the prostaglandins (PGs). These PGs cause stronger contraction of the uterus which is a muscle wall, restricting the blood flow of the uterine muscle. This leads to the production of anaerobic metabolites that stimulate pain receptors. Hence, inflammatory and analgesic medications reduce bleeding and pain symptoms. You can compare this to acidification in your leg muscles after intense exercise. Painful when getting up from your bed or chair for a few days. Your body needs to repair the leg muscles, fix the damage to the muscle cells. What helps is warm supple muscles, which you achieve with exercise, muscles that are more circulatory and relaxed give less pain.
Magnesiumbisglycinaat with taurine
Magnesium bisglycinate is the mineral for menstrual pain. The reason we have added magnesium bisglycinate with taurine in our Prementrual Support package.
Tip: Use more magnesium than the recommended daily dose the days before and during the first menstrual days.
Fifty shades of red
Most of us don't pay much attention to the colour when we bleed yet it is interesting to take a look at it. Menstrual blood is half blood. The rest is vaginal secretions, cervical mucus, tissue and, of course, the remains of the ovulation egg.
Dark or bright red colour
This is the colour you want to see during your period. Bright, without too many clots. More the colour of cranberry juice.
Pale pink menstrual blood
Often occurs during or after strict dieting or when your natural cycle is not yet well established, for example in the first few months after stopping the contraceptive pill or another form of birth control. In itself, not something to worry about because your body needs a few months to make enough of the natural estrogen. Women who have short periods (3 or fewer days) have low estrogen production. Suppose you always bleed for 5 days and now suddenly only 2 days then due to low oestrogen production you may also suffer from vaginal dryness, painful sex, low libido, joint pains, problems focusing, anxiety, concentration, sleeping and night sweats. All the various situations and complaints you can discuss with us, we assist you as cycle and hormone experts. Involve your measurements pattern what you record with your Daysy or LadyComp because there is a lot to be gleaned from that which is the step in the right direction for you personally.
Very dark red, towards purple menstrual blood
When menstrual blood is this dark in colour and when it contains clots, it may be a sign that you are bothered by more or too much oestrogen in relation to the hormone progesterone. In this case, the uterus builds up an extra thick layer of mucous membrane, making the menstrual fluid look darker. Ladies also experience longer and more intense periods in most cases because your uterus has to work extra to shed this thicker layer. The imbalance between oestrogen and progesterone in this case is often caused by too low progesterone production. The solution lies in boosting progesterone production so that a better balance is restored.
Spotting - Brown colour
Blood turns brown (towards black) when it oxidises, when oxygen is added. We also call this spotting ‘old blood’ as a few drops, watery or spots when wiping or on the panty liner. 1 to 2 days before the flow continues, your period starts. In this case, you still release some blood from the previous period when the hormone progesterone drops. Suppose you have 3 or more days of spotting before your period then you know that producing more of your own progesterone is the solution. In fact, your progesterone drops too fast which can be the case with endometriosis, a fibroid in the uterus or low thyroid function. Always good to discuss with your GP.
Spotting is not yet menstruation
Old blood is not yet menstruation, which is why you do not confirm spotting as a menstrual day on your Daysy or LadyComp. A new cycle starts on the first day of your period when the flow of clear to dark red blood continues and you need to change pads, tampons or cups several times.
Spotting at the end of your period also does not confirm you as menstrual days. Daysy and LadyComp want at least 3 consecutive menstrual days confirmed.
Blood loss between periods
Spotting around ovulation is quite common. It usually happens while the basal temperature is still at a lower level, or just before the BBT (basal body temperature) rises to a higher level. Spotting around ovulation is caused by delayed production of progesterone after ovulation.
How does intermediate bleeding occur?
This is one of those times when your estrogen concentration is low, which makes sense because progesterone is supposed to take over. There is then just too little hormone present which should take care of maintaining the endometrium and you release a little old blood, spotting. This spotting is often accompanied by mild cramps and should not be confused with a real menstruation, which occurs about 10-16 days after the temperature rise where your BBT drops. Although interim bleeding in principle does not cause any harm, it is advisable to start working on improving your hormonal balance if this spotting occurs regularly, in more cycles. If the interim bleeding is of such a nature that you are concerned, a visit to your GP is recommended.
Low progesterone, earlier decline in progesterone. Get going for better hormonal balance
Bacterial, fungal infections (candida) or sexually transmitted infections (STD) that cause spotting outside menstruation or during or immediately after lovemaking, not due to hormonal imbalance but infection. Did you know that coconut oil takes good care of the vaginal mucosa? Do not use in combination with condoms as a condom can become porous due to cream or grease - not what you want! Do not use vaginal creams or showers and visit your doctor in case of symptoms
Flesh tree, endometriosis also something to get checked out
Endometrial diseases, abnormal bleeding in the form of spotting or bleeding between periods. Visit your GP in case of complaints
Insertion bleeding - implantation spotting
When an egg is successfully fertilised, it nests in the endometrium, causing slight damage to the blood vessels and you may lose a little blood. The implantation bleeding occurs about 9 days after fertilisation and can be an early sign of pregnancy. However, there are also women in whom it does not occur at all or is so minimal that it goes unnoticed.
To distinguish implantation bleeding from menstruation, pay attention to its colour and strength. Insertion bleeding is a few drops or flecks of blood, certainly less than during menstruation, not painful and usually short-lived (a few days). The amount remains constant and does not increase like during a period. Menstruation can also be light red in the beginning, but usually becomes much stronger, darker during the course of menstruation. In addition, the timing of bleeding is also a good indicator of whether or not it is implantation potting, as implantation potting usually occurs earlier (9 days after ovulation) than expected menstruation (10-16 days after ovulation).
How to recognize it your DaysyDay app?
Menstruation, your BBT has dropped.
Spotting, no drop in your BBT yet before expected menstruation (green days).
Spotting as interim bleeding, when your BBT is low. You are not yet expecting your period because you are still around or before your ovulation (red days).
Break-in bleeding, after successful conception on ovulation day. Your BBT has already risen because you are past your ovulation. Your BBT remains stably higher compared to your temperatures before ovulation. Your BBT may even show a slight 2nd rise, this is not always the case. If your period is absent 18 days after ovulation, you can take the urine pregnancy test.
How much blood loss is normal?
Most women menstruate for three to five days, including one or two days of spotting at the end of their period. Per period, you lose in about 50 ml of menstrual fluid on the days you have your period. Less than 25 ml is little and 80 ml is heavy. But how do you know how much blood you lose?
- Thin pads can absorb up to 3 ml
- Medium pads or tampons can absorb up to 5 ml
- Super thick pads or super tampons can absorb up to 10 ml
- The content of menstrual cups varies but is on average 30 ml
Simply, that you don't need to change pads more often than once every two hours spread throughout the day. While you sleep, you lose less blood, so you are less likely or not required to change your sanitary pads at night.
Confirming menstrual days on your Daysy
Daysy wants at least 3 consecutive days of menstruation indicated. If you menstruate for 2 days, you also confirm a third day.
The first day is the day you have active bleeding, the bleeding continues and you need pads, cup or tampon. Do you have a few drops one day? Then that's not a menstrual day yet. Spotting, brown (old blood) is not menstruation. Usually, spotting precedes and/or concludes the menstrual days. You don't confirm the days of spotting on your Daysy or in the app.
What can go wrong with your menstrual cycle - what to look out for?
In principle, your periods should be trouble-free. Still, is there any discomfort (heavy periods, menstrual pains, PMS symptoms), are your periods irregular or do you have no periods at all? Then there is a good reason to start working to improve your cycle. This is because the course of your periods is a clear indication of how your hormonal balance is doing.
A healthy adult woman's menstrual cycle lasts between 21 and 35 days and consists of three main phases:
The follicular phase (duration: 7 to 21 days): this phase starts with your period. Under the influence of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), several follicles (vesicles in which eggs mature) start to grow.
Ovulation: ovulation (duration: 1 day)
The luteal phase (duration: 10 to 16 days): if fertilisation has occurred, during this phase the egg cell moves to your uterus to implant. If fertilisation has not occurred, the build-up of the uterine wall stops and it is shed: you have your period and your cycle starts again.
No periods or irregular periods
Every body and every cycle can be different. So you may not get your period exactly on the same day every month (only 15% of women have a 28-day cycle time after time). A difference of 1, 2 or 3 days is still a ‘normal cycle’.
Between 21 and 35 days is a regular cycle. Teenagers up to 40 days!
Of course, if your period is off, it could mean you are pregnant. But it could also be that your cycle is longer this month because your ovulation was later. Because then your period also shifts up.
Why ovulation is later or not coming?
Just stopped contraception
Stress physically or mentally
Change of rhythm (holidays, more hours time difference)
Been sick, had a fever or are taking medication like antibiotics
Shortage of nutrients like good fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, eating disorder.
Exercising too much, working out vigorously
PCOS symptoms
Thyroid dysfunction
Suppose you have had a cycle longer than 35 days for the 3rd time or do not menstruate at all, contact our orthomolecular therapists/fertility experts. During a Zoom call, we go through your measurements and give advice on what you can do to improve your cycle and thus your hormonal balance. Please also read our blog, where we share a lot of information on how to approach PCOS and irregular cycles.
Early menstruation
A short menstrual cycle, shorter than 24 days is often a result of the effects of much and prolonged stress. The stress hormone cortisol suppresses your progesterone production. Your period comes earlier because progesterone can no longer prevent the endometrium from releasing. If the cycle is shorter, you have a cycle without ovulation, a long follicular phase or a short luteal phase. Possible causes of early menstruation are: anovulatory cycles (no ovulation), low progesterone levels, PCOS, peri-menopause (pre-menopausal phase), stress, travelling, too full a schedule or you have just stopped contraception and your body is struggling to pick it all up again. Even in these situations, it is wise to monitor your cycle and you can do so with Fertility Tracker Daysy. This gives you insight into your cycle and you can discuss with the professionals at Daysy Netherlands what the best steps are towards better hormonal balance.
Heavy blood loss
If you lose more than 80 ml of blood or bleed for more than 7 days, we speak of heavy bleeding. Possible causes could be anovulatory cycle, the hormone oestrogen is less effective, low progesterone level, peri-menopause, PCOS, fibroids and endometriosis. Even in this case, it is advisable to schedule a 1-to-1 zoom call with our experts and work towards better hormonal balance.
Little blood loss
A light period does not mean something is wrong. It may be completely normal for you to have, say, 25 ml of blood loss in total. That amounts to five normal tampons. If you measure with Cycle Tracker Daysy and you see that you have ovulation then your cycle is going completely fine.
Are you losing less than 25ml of blood? Then check if you have ovulations in your cycles because even if you don't ovulate you can still menstruate. In that case, the amount of blood is usually small. Incidentally, you don't have much use for ovulation tests then. Suppose the cause of your light periods is the absence of ovulation, then it is wise to restore your hormonal balance. How to do this? BLOG
First aid for menstrual cramps
Many women suffer from menstrual cramps. One to two days of mild cramps is annoying but acceptable in that sense. However, if the cramps are so severe that you cannot function normally, are dependent on painkillers, then there is probably more to it.
Too much prostaglandin, your uterus contracts too violently to shed endometrium as a result. See my info earlier in this blog.
Magnesium deficiency, which increases the tendency for painful cramps.
Stress, which is known to affect many processes in the body.
Nutrition and lifestyle tips!
Improve your fatty acid intake and regulate your prostaglandin production naturally. Avoid foods containing the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid: pork, sunflower oil, margarine, low-fat margarine, cooking products, soybean oil, groundnut oil and corn oil. Instead, eat more omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish, flaxseed oil) and take a good omega-3 supplement like our algae oil.
Get enough magnesium by eating magnesium-rich foods like bananas, nuts, broccoli, whole grain bread and take a magnesium supplement found in the Premenstrual Support and Cyclus+ package.
Ginger (tea) has anti-inflammatory, warming analgesic properties.
Warmth relaxes your uterus. Soothe menstrual cramps by taking a warm bath or holding a warm jug to the lower abdomen.
Research has shown that yoga can provide relief from menstrual cramps.
Reduce your sugar intake, as sugar promotes the production of prostaglandins. Eat lots of fresh, unprocessed produce and stay away from (refined) sugars. How often do you notice that you crave sweets more precisely during your period days?
Let us know how your periods are going, have these tips helped?
Share your experiences below thereby helping other women. Share this blog with all your girlfriends who you know are having trouble with their periods or may find the step too big to rely on their own natural cycle again.
A woman functions better during a healthy menstrual cycle. True or false?
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