Explore strategies for addressing black discharge. Learn about potential causes and effective methods to alleviate this concern.
A normal part of the menstrual cycle is black fluid from the uterus. It isn’t always something to worry about. If it comes with pain, itching, or cramping, it could be a sign of something more serious. Some of the most common reasons for black vaginal flow are infection, bleeding after giving birth, and implantation.
If the vaginal discharge is black, it may be because the blood coming out of the uterus is old and has turned black.
Read on to find out more about what causes black vaginal discharge, how it can be treated, and when a doctor should be called.
Is Black Discharge Normal?
A normal and common part of the menstrual period is black vaginal discharge. You could see this color at any time during your cycle. It is more likely to happen at the start or end of your period, though.
During this time, blood stays in the uterus for longer. Because of this, it turns dark or black as it oxidizes.
If you have pain and cramping along with the black flow, it could be a sign of a deeper problem.
Most women have vaginal discharge at some point. It can change colors to show that your body is sick or going through other changes.
Beginning or End Of Your Period
At the beginning and end of your period, you may have less blood flow. Because of this, it may take longer for the blood in your uterus to leave your body and change from red to dark brown or black. If you see black spots before your period, they could be leftover blood from your last one.
In these cases, your vagina is simply cleaning itself out.
What Are Possible Causes Of Black Discharge?
There are a lot of things that could cause black vaginal flow. Some of these are fertilization, having something stuck in the vagina, and bleeding after giving birth.
After conception, when an egg sticks to the wall of your uterus, this is called “implantation.” This can make you bleed a little bit, like when you have your period, and it might look like black discharge.
If you think you might be pregnant, you should call your doctor to find out for sure.
Retained Object In The Vagina
This can happen if something gets stuck in your vagina or is left there. Among the most common things that can get stuck or be left in the vagina are:
Pessaries include condoms, tampons, menstrual cups, and other things for sexual pleasure.
Most of the time, the object stays in place until you have pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, or vaginal discharge. If you have these signs and think you might have something foreign in your vagina, you should see a doctor. They will check to see if something is stuck and be able to safely take it out.
Lochia, also called “postpartum bleeding,” is the term for vaginal bleeding after giving birth. Most of the time, it lasts about 6 weeks.
Lochia can be bright red, brownish-black, or pinkish-red in color. Also, the amount can be different for each person. If blood clots are coming out of your body after giving birth, talk to your doctor or nurse midwife.
Miscarriage: Black spots and bleeding may be signs of a missed miscarriage, which is when the baby stops growing but isn’t thrown out of the body for at least four weeks. Miscarriages can happen between 10 and 20% of the time during pregnancy. Most of them happen before the baby is 10 weeks old.
With a missed abortion, you might not have any signs. In fact, some people don’t know they’re having a loss until they get an ultrasound.
Others say they aren’t pregnant anymore, have cramps, or feel dizzy, among other things.
Diseases like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and other sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs) can also cause discharge. This fluid is usually green or yellow, but it can also be black. It has a strong smell most of the time.
Most STIs are spread through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. STIs are less likely to happen if you use condoms or other barriers during sexual activity, especially if you have more than one partner.
What Does Black Discharge With No Period Mean?
Some people usually bleed black and don’t have a period. Sometimes, it takes longer for your body to get rid of the menstrual flow. This can lead to black spotting.
In most cases, this is nothing to worry about. But you should see a doctor if it hurts, irritates, or makes you feel bad.
Retained Menses
When the uterus, the cervix, or the vagina stop the flow of menstrual blood, this is called hemocolpos. Because of this, the blood may turn black if it is kept for a long time. The blockage could be caused by a problem with the hymen that was present at birth, a gap in the uterus, or, in rare cases, the lack of a cervix (cervical agenesis).
Some people have no signs at all. Some people find that their symptoms come and go like their monthly cycles.
If the blockage is very bad, you may stop having periods altogether, which is called amenorrhea. Pain, adhesions, and endometriosis are some other problems that can happen.
Is Black Discharge A Sign Of Cancer?
In rare cases, a black discharge from the vagina could be a sign of cervical cancer. This can be a sign of necrosis, which is when the tissue in the cervix dies, or old blood collection. But most of the time, people don’t know they have cancer until it’s in a more advanced state.
When cancer is in its early stages, the vaginal discharge may be watery or red and have a strong smell.
When Should You See A Doctor For Black Discharge?
If you have any of the following symptoms as well as black fluid, you should see a doctor. These signs could be signs of a serious illness or cancer:
When you don’t have your period, you have a black discharge, fever, stomach cramps, and bad-smelling discharge.
After menopause, you may have a black flow or bleed.
What Are Treatments For The Causes Of Black Discharge?
Most of the time, the treatment for black vaginal discharge relies on what’s causing it.
Infection: If you have an infection that is causing the black discharge, your doctor will likely give you medicines.
Retained objects in the vagina: It is best for a doctor to take these things out. Usually, a speculum and tools are used to do this. If a doctor can’t take something out with tools, he or she might have to do surgery.
Miscarriage: If you have a miscarriage, your doctor may suggest D&C, which stands for dilation and curettage. During this operation, an instrument called a curette is used to open the cervix and remove tissue from the uterus. Talk to your doctor if you have a leak that doesn’t seem right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black Discharge A Sign Of Pregnancy?
Yes, a dark discharge can be a sign of pregnancy early on. Most of the time, black discharge is old blood, and light spots can be caused by implantation. If you have black fluid and think you might be pregnant, you should talk to your doctor.
What Do Different Period Colors Mean?
From one period to the next, the color of your period blood can change. But most of the time, it’s a bright red or dark brown color. At the start of your period, when the lining of your uterus is being shed quickly and hasn’t had time to turn brown, you may see bright red blood. At the end of your period, when the blood has had more time to change color, it tends to be darker.
What Does Black Discharge Indicate?
Most of the time, black flow is a normal part of having your period.
But black fluid can also be a sign of some health problems, like an imbalance in hormones, sexually transmitted infections, or (very rarely) cervical cancer. Black fluid could also be a sign that there is something stuck in the vagina, like a tampon or condom.
Black discharge could be a sign of implantation or a failure when it comes to pregnancy. It’s also normal to have lochia, which is a black discharge, in the weeks after giving birth.
Is Black Discharge Normal During Menstruation?
Yes. It is normal to have a black flow at the start or end of your period.
Can stress cause black discharge?
At times. Stress can cause hormones to be out of balance, which can lead to missed periods and spots. When this happens, the fluid from the uterus may look black.
Is There Anything That Can Be Done Naturally To Treat Black Discharge?
It depends on what the black fluid is caused by.
If black discharge is a normal part of your monthly cycle, you don’t need to do anything to “treat” or “fix” the discharge. Just keep having your period and cycle as you always have.
If you have black discharge because of an imbalance in your hormones, there are some harmless ways to get your hormones back in balance. This means eating foods that are full of nutrients, lowering stress, and getting enough sleep.
If you have black fluid because of an infection or other health problem, you should see a doctor right away.
When Should I Be Concerned About Black Discharge?
Consult a doctor right away if you have any of the following signs along with black discharge:
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Vaginal discomfort
- Heavy discharge
- Cramping, pain, fever
If your menstrual cycle changes quickly, it’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor about it. For example, if you have a black flow or bleed when it’s not your “normal” time for your period.
Can Black Discharge Be A Symptom Of Cancer?
Yes. In a very small number of cases, a black fluid could be a sign of cervical cancer. If you worry that your black discharge is a sign of cancer, you should make an appointment with your doctor to talk about your worries.
Conclusion:
When you have your period, you often have black flow. Most of the time, it’s caused by a buildup of blood and tissue in the uterus. When blood stays in the uterus longer, it oxidizes and turns black. This is what causes your period. Because of this, the blood turns darker or black.
Other things that can cause black discharge are an illness, bleeding during implantation, or a miscarriage. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about a black discharge or if it hurts or irritates you.