Content

Almost every woman has noticed thick periods. Sometimes this is the norm, but for some it can signal serious violations occurring in female body. You should also be wary of changes in cycle duration, others unpleasant symptoms on the functioning of the female reproductive system.

Why are thick periods of a dark color normal?

During menstruation, physiological discharge should not be very thick and dark. But there are a number of factors that provoke changes in the nature of the blood released during menstruation. A certain percentage of such discharge is normal, that is, they should not cause concern. In other situations, you need to carefully monitor your body and, without waiting too long, seek advice from a gynecologist.

Low weight

If a woman is underweight, this can easily affect her functioning. menstrual cycle. Adipose tissue produces female hormones from androgens, therefore, with its deficiency there will be a lack of hormones - estrogens. The endometrium, which is rejected during menstruation, is formed little, it develops incompletely. This implies various disorders: From thick, dark-colored periods to infertility.

Hormonal contraception

In case of using oral contraceptives a woman may notice that the volume of menstrual blood has become leaner and the color has changed dark side. There is no need to worry: hormonal pills affect the suppression of the ovulation process, change the thickness of the inner layer of the uterus. It becomes thinner, atrophic processes gradually progress, so during menstruation there will be less blood. The gynecologist should warn about this feature before prescribing COCs. Hormonal contraceptives prescribed to women for the treatment of diseases accompanied by heavy periods.

Ovarian dysfunction

Changes in menstrual color may occur due to various factors emanating from the ovaries:

1. Climax. The functions of the ovaries gradually disappear, so menstruation occurs less frequently and then disappears altogether. Often, instead of menstrual blood during menopause, a few scanty, thick discharge having a dark color.
2. Cycle disorders are combined with symptoms vegetative-vascular dystonia: excessive sweating, anxiety, weakness, palpitations, flushes of heat to the face.
3. Polycystic ovary syndrome.
4. Syndrome early exhaustion ovaries.
5. Resistant ovarian syndrome.

For any ovarian dysfunction accompanied by a decrease in the level female hormones, in addition to other symptoms, dark periods may be observed.

Hormonal imbalance

The menstrual cycle is completely under biological control active substances– hormones. If the production of one hormone is disrupted, all others automatically suffer, and the functioning of the organ is disrupted. For this reason, changes in the nature, color, and thickness of menstruation occur very often with hormonal imbalance.

After childbirth

A few days after delivery, women begin to experience dark-colored discharge. This should not be confused with the arrival of menstruation: such discharge is called lochia. After the baby is born, the uterus contains residual tissue of the placenta, parts of the endometrium that come out naturally through the vagina. This occurs in all postpartum women, so there is no reason to worry. Immediately after childbirth, a woman is helped to cope with bleeding by injecting oxytocin intramuscularly, and also briefly applying cold to the abdominal area. This is necessary so that the uterus contracts faster and gradually returns to its pre-pregnancy size. After a few days, the bleeding becomes less profuse, the color changes to dark, and the consistency becomes thicker. Lochia lasts for about a month, then disappears.

Consequences of an abortion

Post-abortion discharge that lasts approximately 5 to 10 days is normal. They are not menstrual periods. Dark color due to the fact that blood in small quantities, when passing through the vagina, has time to partially coagulate and be exposed to oxygen.

Important! A certain number of women, after curettage, have dark, thick periods, which indicate the development inflammatory process in the uterine cavity.

This disease is initial stage is often asymptomatic, but its diagnosis is early stage can help avoid complications in the form of inflammation spreading to other membranes of the uterus.

Presence of an intrauterine device

The intrauterine device is a means of preventing unwanted pregnancy; it is usually installed at the end of the menstrual cycle. At the initial stage after its placement, the woman may be disturbed dark discharge Brown. You should not immediately run to the gynecologist: these discharges are physiological after the placement of the IUD. Some of them contain progestin hormones, which is why the body reacts with such dark, thick periods to hormones introduced from the outside.

Discharge outside of menstruation

A variant of the norm may be periodic dark discharge between periods in the following situations:

1. If they occur a couple of days before the expected start of menstruation. A little blood is released; when passing through the vagina, it has time to change under the influence of oxygen, and vaginal secretions also have an effect on it.
2. After the end of menstruation, women notice spotting dark traces on laundry for several days for the same reason as before.
3. After losing my virginity.
4. In women taking oral contraceptives.

Thick periods - pathological reasons

Dark-colored, thick periods can be the first symptom of a serious pathology in the female body. The reason for such changes may be: hormonal disbalance, and serious pathologies requiring immediate intervention medical specialists.

Neoplasms in the uterus

With uterine formations of both benign and malignant nature, most patients experience pathological discharge from the vagina. Menstruation becomes more abundant, as the growth of the tumor stretches the mucous layer of the uterus, the vessels do not have time to grow behind it. Between periods, thick, dark, spotting discharge is possible. The cycle is most often disrupted, and uterine bleeding continues for more than a week.

Polyposis of the uterine endometrium

Polyps interfere with the physiological contraction of the muscular wall of the uterus during menstruation. They may cause the discharge of thick blood during the intermenstrual period, which has a dark, brown color.

Discharge similar to menstruation, but only dark in color, is observed after removal of a uterine polyp. They are not menstruation; they are considered the norm to last up to 10 days, and are a consequence of a polyp elimination procedure. Dark and thick discharge after surgical removal of a polyp indicates the proper functioning of the woman’s blood coagulation system.

Endometriosis as a cause of heavy periods

Endometriosis is a pathology characterized by abnormal growth of the endometrium outside the uterine cavity. In this case, menstruation lasts longer: the inner layer separates for quite a long time. The discharge acquires dark shades due to damage to the endometrial vessels and the effect of oxygen on the blood.

Important! Endometriosis can be suspected by an increase in the duration of menstruation.

Ectopic pregnancy

The discharge that occurs during an ectopic pregnancy cannot be called menstruation. Rather, they arise due to a violation of the integrity of the tissue as a result of the attachment of the egg to where it should not normally be. They differ from menstruation in their thickness and darker shade. Experts call this implantation bleeding.

Congenital uterine pathologies

Pathologies of the uterus that exist from the birth of a girl can have a direct impact on the course of menstruation. Anomalies include abnormalities in the shape of the uterus (saddle-shaped, one-horned, two-horned), duplication, hypoplasia, and agenesis. The last option assumes that there will be no menstruation at all: there is simply no endometrium that should be rejected.

What to do if your periods are very thick

The most the best option in this case, the woman will contact a gynecologist. The doctor is able to collect the necessary medical history, conduct a gynecological examination, and adequately assess the situation.

Attention! No need to wait long time in the hope that the symptoms will disappear on their own.

In order to prevent the development severe complications in the body, you must adhere to several rules:

• don't neglect preventive examinations a gynecologist (1-2 times a year);
• Hormone imbalance can cause severe stress, so it is important to avoid them whenever possible;
• maintain intimate hygiene;
• monitor your weight, because excessive thinness or speed dial weight gain provokes hormonal imbalance;
• Do not take without a doctor's prescription hormonal drugs for contraception and treatment of other diseases;
• have one permanent sexual partner, in another case - be sure to use barrier methods contraception.

Conclusion

There are a variety of reasons that can affect the nature of a woman’s discharge and cause thick periods. It can be physiological conditions body, serious violations of its functions. In any case, for your own peace of mind, you should see a gynecologist, because pathology can be detected on early stages and completely eliminate it.

Thick, dark-colored periods may be normal or indicate the development of a disease. What is important is the presence of clots and mucus, the smell of the discharge, whether there is abdominal pain, whether there was a delay or not.

If the density and color of the discharge changes, it is necessary to be examined to exclude the following conditions:

• Violation hormonal levels.
• Inflammatory processes.
• Tumors.
• Endometrial diseases.
• Polyps in the uterus.
• Ectopic pregnancy.

Other factors also influence the nature of menstruation:

• blood diseases;
• taking medications, including oral contraception;
• installed intrauterine device;
• physical and emotional fatigue, stress.

Normally, menstrual flow in the first days is thicker than at the end.

Hormonal imbalance

Changes in the natural balance occur for various reasons:

• taking medications;
• surgical interventions;
• diseases of the reproductive and reproductive systems;
• endocrine pathologies.

Hormonal imbalance changes correct ratio sex hormones - estrogen and progesterone. This affects the cycle and character menstrual flow. They become denser and contain pieces of mucus and clots.

Hormonal imbalance causes associated symptoms:

• pain syndrome in the lower abdomen;
• copious or, conversely, scanty discharge;
• dizziness;
• frequent fatigue, mood swings.

If they are present, it is necessary to undergo examination. You will need not only the help of a gynecologist, but also a consultation with an endocrinologist. It is necessary to exclude pathologies of functioning endocrine gland, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, ovaries.

Inflammatory processes

Adnexitis, endometritis, salpingoophoritis and other diseases disrupt the functioning of all pelvic organs. The regula become darker and may contain mucus and pus.

Critical days are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, right, left, general weakness, malaise and increased body temperature. Menstruation takes on an unpleasant odor.

Pathologies of the uterus

In some cases, women have structural features of the organ:

• uterine displacement;
• the presence of internal partitions;
• bend;
• wrong shape.

All this prevents the free flow of blood, causing it to stagnate in the uterine cavity. The blood coagulates, becomes dark, even black, and contains large clots.

Characteristic symptoms:

• severe abdominal pain.

Treatment in these cases is only surgical.

Tumors

The cycle is affected by malignant and benign formations. Possible polyps in the uterine cavity.

Their growth to large sizes completely changes the functioning reproductive system.

Endometrial diseases

These pathologies arise against the background hormonal imbalance. Adenomyosis, hyperplasia - proliferation inner fabric uterus - endometrium - in the organ itself or outside it.

Promote dark menstrual flow, mucus elements. They are combined with severe pain. At the end of menstruation, brown, brown daub for a few more days.

Ectopic pregnancy

The woman most often does not know about the situation. The location of the embryo contributes to the rejection of the endometrium and the appearance of menstruation.

The color and consistency of menstruation may differ from normal.

After childbirth

The body of young mothers is gradually returning to normal. are coming bloody issues, first abundant, then smearing.

Possible black color, heterogeneous structure, mucus.

Blood diseases

Often the reason is too rapid clotting. The blood does not have time to get out and begins to coagulate in the uterine cavity, forming large pieces.

Can influence the nature of menstruation Iron-deficiency anemia or other pathologies of the circulatory system.

Video about dangerous secretions

Other factors

The following factors can change the structure of monthly discharge - excessively thick, dark, containing clots:

• Artificial termination of pregnancy. Abortion is stressful for the body, which needs time to recover. There is a sharp hormonal surge, which causes menstruation to change.
• Reception medicines. Some of them affect blood clotting, causing thick, dark brown, black periods.
• Application birth control pills. Their task is to prevent unwanted pregnancy. It is based on hormones that change the functioning of the reproductive system. This affects menstruation.
• Intrauterine device. It has the disadvantage of heavy menstruation with clots and chunks.
• Stress, vitamin deficiency, exhaustion of the body.

Thick and dark periods are not always an indicator of pathology. Sometimes a woman needs to rest, normalize her routine, establish proper nutrition and this will have a beneficial effect on the cycle and menstruation.

For supporting reproductive health You should listen to these tips:

• Maintaining hygiene during menstruation. Gaskets should be changed at least once every 4 hours.
• If you do not have a regular sexual partner, use condoms.
• Balance your diet. The daily menu should include everything useful material, vegetables and fruits.
• To refuse from bad habits.
• Try to avoid stressful situations.

If thick, dark-colored discharge bothers you over several cycles, you should contact the clinic. The examination will identify diseases if they are present. Next, you will need to undergo treatment prescribed by the doctor.

The menstrual cycle is normal phenomenon for women who do not have health problems or abnormalities in the functioning of the genital organs. Menstruation does not occur during a woman's pregnancy and lactation.

Features of the menstrual cycle

Every month a woman experiences vaginal discharge during normal functioning of healthy genital organs. This is a systematic phenomenon that must meet certain criteria:

• The menstrual cycle lasts from 19 to 45 days, the most common period of the menstrual cycle is distinguished, it ranges from 28 to 31 days;
• Menstruation is a cyclical phenomenon that should occur with a certain regularity, without constant failures and delays;
• The duration of menstruation should not exceed 8 days, but be at least 2 days;
• Menstrual blood has a much darker color than that that circulates in human vessels and veins;
• There should be no painful or uncomfortable sensations;
• The normal menstrual cycle is biphasic;
• Blood loss during menstruation should be in the range of 50-150 ml;
• The blood released during menstruation does not clot.

A delay in menstruation usually indicates the presence of pregnancy or some kind of disorder in the woman’s body. Problems with the health of the genital organs may be indicated by such a phenomenon as heavy periods.

Causes of heavy periods

During menstruation, the consistency of the discharge should not be too dark and thick; this may indicate various abnormalities and diseases.

The reason may be:

• Inflammatory processes in the uterus;
• Hormonal disorders in the body;
• Taking medications medicinal purposes which may affect the functioning of the genital organs;
• Abortion;
• Ectopic pregnancy;
• Tumors of the genital organs various stages development;
• Short term pregnancy;
• Hormonal failure of the adrenal glands;
• Diseases associated with blood clotting can affect the consistency of menstrual flow;
• Endometrial polyposis;
• Taking hormonal contraceptives;
• Abrupt cessation of systematic use of contraceptives;
• Avitaminosis;
• Poisoning or receiving a dose of radiation;
• Constant stress;
• Pituitary gland;
• Exhaustion of the body;
• Disease of internal organs;
• Hormonal imbalance of the thyroid gland;
• Heredity.

A qualified doctor can determine the exact cause of changes in the consistency of menstruation after studying tests and performing an ultrasound scan on certain days menstrual cycle.

Termination of pregnancy can have a strong impact not only on consistency, but also on the menstrual cycle itself. This occurs due to severe hormonal imbalance in the body during pregnancy, and after scraping the tissue, the walls of the uterus may be damaged, and the inner layer of cells will come out along with the blood.

Blood clots may appear during menstruation, or thick blood usually means too much blood loss. This phenomenon can occur if a woman loses more than 90 ml of blood; about 80 ml is considered normal, but loss of up to 150 ml of blood is allowed.

A common cause is infectious diseases, but they lead not only to changes in the consistency of menstruation, but also to painful sensations during their passage. This reason is determined immediately during testing and is treated by taking the necessary medications.

Serious diseases such as tumors or ectopic pregnancy. They violate normal work genital organs, which leads to coagulation of menstrual blood, clots and thick vaginal discharge.

Menstruation disorders

Disturbances in the functioning of a woman's genital organs, other diseases and the general condition of the body have an impact on the nature of the menstrual cycle. Deviations from normal and usual menstruation can be different:

• Menorrhagia is heavy discharge from a woman’s genitals, which exceeds the norm for blood loss during menstruation, and occurs periodically;
• Polymenorrhea - bleeding, between which the interval is less than 21 days, the menstrual cycle is of too short duration;
• Dysfunctional uterine bleeding– this is blood loss without damage to the woman’s genital organs, that is, pathological uterine bleeding;
• Metrorrhagia is bleeding that occurs without certain time intervals and is not cyclical;
• Postmenopausal bleeding is blood loss that occurs a year or more after the onset of menopause;
• Intermenstrual bleeding is the loss of blood that occurs between periods, and the amount of discharge may vary.

Methods for treating menstruation disorders

Deviations from the norm, deterioration physical condition and other disorders during the menstrual cycle, manifesting themselves systematically, can lead to a woman’s infertility. It is important to know the cause of deviations and correct treatment. Doctor holding necessary procedures, can tell why the menstrual cycle is disrupted and prescribe necessary treatment to restore it. In case of deviations, treatment is carried out using the following method:

• Taking hemostatic drugs;
• Aminocaproic acid is taken in case of heavy bleeding, as it can reduce it;
• Compensation for blood loss may also become necessary in case of large losses; I rarely replace it with blood, most often through plasma infusion;
• In women aged 40 years and older, with heavy bleeding may be necessary surgical intervention- a last resort measure.

Deviations of menstruation from the norm can vary, and treatment also changes. There are a great many reasons for irregularities in the menstrual cycle, its disruption in time, or the appearance of discomfort. That is why they can only be determined after going through the necessary procedures.

A change in the consistency of menstrual flow is a symptom that is alarming and forces you to seek help. medical care. After all, normally, periods become thick and dark only in last days menstruation, while discharge of a similar nature throughout the entire cycle indicates the onset and progression of a pathological process.

Today we will talk about possible reasons the appearance of thick discharge during menstruation, and discuss ways to solve this problem.

Causes of heavy periods

Every woman's menstrual cycle has its own characteristics. Duration, volume of blood loss, color and consistency - all this is purely individual. But, one way or another, there are certain standards, and each of the parameters should not go beyond their limits.

Most healthy women in the first days of menstruation there are red copious discharge, then the blood becomes thick and dark in color. There should be a reason to be wary initially thick blood during menstruation from the first to the last day. However, there is no need to panic - very often the reasons for what is happening are the most harmless, although more serious problems with health it is impossible. So, very thick discharge during menstruation may be a symptom of one of the following diseases:

Menstruation accompanies all women reproductive age with breaks for childbearing and breastfeeding. The presence of menstruation indicates that the woman is healthy and ready to conceive. But pathologies do not always manifest themselves, especially in the initial stages.

Often one of the manifestations of diseases of the reproductive system is a change in the consistency and color of menstrual blood. Thick, dark periods can signal both hormonal changes and serious illnesses reproductive system.

White discharge before menstruation

Very thick and dark blood masses during menstruation are characterized by the appearance of white discharge several days before their onset. This white discharge can be either watery or thick in consistency. Normally, the color of vaginal discharge varies from clear to milky white. They are odorless and may differ in structure. Such white discharge is not intense and does not cause discomfort to the woman.

As pathology develops, thick white discharge may appear before menstruation. The intensity, consistency and smell of such discharge may differ from normal discharge. This white discharge may be cheesy, jelly-like, or creamy. If there are streaks of blood in the white discharge, you should consult a doctor.

Normally, cervical mucus discharge is white. It has a dense texture and performs protective function, protecting the uterus from pathogenic microorganisms.

If you experience intense white discharge before your period, this may be a sign of the following diseases:

• Adnexitis. This disease causes inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. White discharge in this situation is nothing more than a manifestation of pathogen activity.
• Polycystic disease. Also accompanied by the appearance of white discharge.
• Candidiasis. White discharge may have a cheesy consistency. Accompanied by the appearance sour smell and itching.
• Ureaplasmosis. White discharge with unpleasant smell. May be yellowish rather than white.
• Cervicitis. Inflammatory process of the cervix. White copious discharge appears.
• Gonorrhea. Purulent streaks may be observed in the white discharge.
• Cervical erosion. This disease is accompanied by the appearance of white streaks in the discharge. Over time, closer to the onset of menstruation, the discharge becomes white with red streaks.
• Hormonal changes in the body. Taking birth control pills or having hormonal treatment may cause white discharge.

Pathological causes of thick menstruation

Normally, during menstruation, the endometrium is shed from the uterus. This is necessary so that the fertilized egg can take root and receive full nutrition in the uterus. After ovulation, the endometrium thickens, accumulates blood, and is then rejected by the uterus. This process is menstruation.

In the first 2-3 days, blood loss is usually very copious, which is why it is recommended to refrain from playing sports during this period. After endometrial detachment, small blood vessels rupture. This explains why the blood can have a fairly bright color, especially on days 2-3. Starting from the 4th day, the intensity of menstruation decreases and over time the bleeding gradually disappears. During this period, the discharge is already very dark and may have a denser structure.

In some cases, there may be a discharge blood clots dark color. They usually appear towards the end of the cycle or the next morning, after sleep. While the woman is sleeping, the blood is in the vagina, and it gradually begins to clot there. Since the blood clotting process is disrupted during this period, it can form peculiar lumps.

But it often happens that the discharge initially differs in consistency. This could be a manifestation normal condition organism and pathology. To better understand why thick discharge appears during menstruation, you need to understand the reasons.

Endometriosis

During development pathological process the division of endometrial cells in the uterus is disrupted. This causes the endometrium to grow into the vagina and fallopian tubes. This condition is accompanied by copious discharge of brightly colored blood.

Very thick periods can last much longer than expected, up to several weeks.

Inflammatory processes of the uterus

In the presence of an inflammatory process, thick periods with clots may be observed. Their presence is caused by impaired blood supply to the uterus.

Abortion

If a woman recently (about 6 months ago) had an abortion, she may also experience thick periods with clots. IN similar situation Damage occurs to the mucous membrane of the uterus, which leads to the formation of so-called pockets in it. They accumulate blood, which eventually coagulates, forming a blood clot.

Myoma

When growing muscle tissue the uterus is observed very heavy menstruation with dark colored discharge. Such menstruation can last several days and be of high intensity. At gynecological examination the doctor identifies thickening of the uterus, characteristic of pregnancy.

Provoking factors

There are several main factors that can trigger the appearance of thick, dark-colored discharge.

These factors are not a pathology, but their long-term exposure can cause irreparable harm to women’s health:

• Taking medications. The use of hormonal drugs, as well as means to normalize body weight, can cause thick, dark-colored periods to appear.
• Rapid weight change. With sudden weight loss or, conversely, weight gain, a change in the color and intensity of blood flow is observed.
• Stress. Prolonged psycho-emotional stress can also provoke changes in menstruation.
• Heavy physical labor . With excess physical activity Muscle hypertonicity may appear, which leads to a change in the structure of discharge during menstruation.
• Tanning craze. Ultraviolet radiation may cause changes in the texture of the uterine lining. This leads to disruption of menstruation and can further provoke endometriosis.
  Important: It has been established that among women who are fond of tanning in solariums, the incidence of fibroids, uterine fibroids and endometriosis is much higher.
• Hypothermia. As body temperature decreases, a narrowing occurs blood vessels. This leads to increased activity of the blood supply, which causes disturbances in the formation of the endometrium. It is worth noting that hypothermia is often one of the causes of painful sensations in the first days of menstruation.

If thick discharge appears during menstruation, this is a reason to consult a doctor. The gynecologist will conduct an examination and prescribe necessary tests and, if necessary, treatment.