Every month, women will experience a menstrual cycle. Should not ignore the menstrual cycle that is being lived. Recognize the meaning of the color of your period blood that occurs every month in order to minimize the disturbances that may be experienced.
Have you ever noticed the blood that comes out during your period and felt something strange? For example, the color of the blood that comes out is different from usual. Normally, the blood that comes out during menstruation is red. Be alert if there is a change in the color of your menstrual blood. It could be a sign of a health problem.
In fact, women’s health conditions, especially those related to reproduction and vital organs, can be identified through the color of menstrual blood. Different colors of blood that come out, can have different meanings. But don’t worry, changes in blood color during menstruation are not always bad. To be more clear, see the explanation of the meaning of the color of your menstrual blood below!
Know the Color Of Your Period Blood Mean
Changes in the color of period blood can be an alarm to be more alert. The following is the meaning of menstrual blood color that you need to know:
1. Pink
Menstrual blood that comes out can be pink, usually appears at the beginning of menstruation and near the end of the cycle. One condition that can be characterized by pink menstrual blood is low levels of estrogen in the body. Pink blood that comes out may also be lochia, which is puerperal blood that generally comes out for some time after a woman gives birth.
2. Dark Red
Menstrual blood may come out with a dark red color. Dark red blood can also mean that the woman is still bleeding puerperal aka lochia. In addition, dark menstrual blood can also be a sign that the menstrual cycle is about to end.
3. Lighting Red
At the beginning of the discharge, menstrual blood will generally be bright red. But over time, the color of the blood will fade and become darker. Be careful if this bright red color persists and occurs in excess. This condition is said to be a sign of an infection such as gonorrhea, to symptoms of fibroids. Red blood discharge can also be an early sign of pregnancy.
4. Blood Chocolate
If the level of progesterone in the uterus is low, the menstrual blood will be brown in color. This is because blood takes longer to leave the body. Brown menstrual blood can also be a sign that the menstrual cycle is coming to an end.
5. Orange
Red color tends to orange in menstrual blood should also be watched out for. This condition can be a sign that a bacterial infection or sexually transmitted infection has occurred. Immediately do an examination at the hospital if you experience this condition.
6. Grey
If you have menstrual blood that is grayish-black in color, then talk to your doctor immediately because you could have a uterine infection. Gray menstrual blood can be a sign of an infection which is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, pain, and itching around the vagina.
7. Black Blood
Don’t panic if your menstrual blood suddenly turns black. Similar to brown blood, black menstrual blood can also be a sign that the menstrual cycle is about to end. Black menstrual blood is old blood aka menstrual blood that is left, maybe from the previous month.
Find out more about what the color of your period blood means and what conditions it might cause by visiting a doctor.
The Dangers of Not Cleaning Menstruation Clean
May 28 is observe World Menstrual Hygiene Day. This moment often uses as an effort to raise awareness to women about the importance of keeping the genital area clean during menstruation.
Not only about the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of the feminine area, but in fact, World Menstrual Hygiene Day is also carried out as a form of building awareness to the public that menstruation is a normal biological routine.
Menstruation is part of a woman’s hormonal changes that accept by society and should not consider taboo to discuss with men. Well, in the context of this World Menstrual Hygiene Day, it’s good as women we check again, how the routine of maintaining cleanliness during menstruation. Do you think it’s correct yet?
1. Change Pads Every Four Hours
The ideal time to change a sanitary napkin is every four hours. If this range is not done, the genital area may become damp, blisters in the groin, and cause an unpleasant odor to the genitals.
2. Clean Menstrual Cup Properly
For those of you who have started implementing an environmentally friendly lifestyle by using menstrual cups instead of sanitary napkins, never neglect to clean properly. Especially if you routinely use it in your private area, you must be really observant in cleaning it. If necessary, soak in hot water so that the bacteria and germs attach completely lost.
3. Keep Miss V Clean
It is important to keep the vaginal area clean, especially during the menstrual period. Menstrual blood comes out intensely, so you need to keep the intimate area clean without disturbing the flow of blood. Use warm water and liquid soap to wash the genital area.
4. Don’t Pile Pads
Some women who experience heavy flow, tend to use two pads at once to control the flow and prevent penetration. However, this is a bad idea because it can cause infection in the vaginal area. It would be better if you change it regularly instead of piling pads.
5. Wear Comfortable and Clean Underwear
While changing pads is very important, it’s also important to wear something comfortable these days. Make sure you wear comfortable underwear that allows your skin to breathe and minimizes infection.
Menstrual Hygiene Practices
Do not underestimate the cleanliness of the feminine area while menstruating. Some of the following health issues you can get when you are not clean to take care of your genitals during your period.
- Urinary Tract Infection
Using sanitary napkins for more than four hours can lead to the growth of Candida Albicans, Staphylococcus Aureus, and E.Coli bacteria whose proliferation can trigger urinary tract infections. Cleaning the female area properly while menstruating can avoid these infections by 97 percent. - Allergies and Itching
When you don’t change your pads periodically, it can really cause irritation to the genital skin and groin area. Fungal growth will also aggravate allergic conditions and itching so that it can get a rash. - Cervical Cancer
Not only transmission due to sexual intercourse, but in fact, not maintaining the cleanliness of the feminine area can also spread the Human Papilloma Virus. So, use sanitary napkins that are comfortable, unscented, and as organic as possible, don’t forget to keep your hands clean when changing pads.
If you want to know more about how to maintain menstrual hygiene, you can ask your doctor directly. Doctors who are experts in their fields will try to provide the best solution for you.