As a barometer of women’s health, menstruation is an important indicator for women to assess the health of their uterus.

Some menstrual blood appears light red, as if diluted with water; while others may be particularly dark, resembling blueberry jam. Many women discover their health issues through the color of their menstrual blood…

What color of menstrual blood is considered normal?How can one identify if their menstruation is abnormal?Is self-regulation possible?……Today, a TCM gynecologist from Hangzhou Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital will provide answers~

Image source: SOOGIF

What do you mean by normal red?

Menstruation is the periodic shedding of the endometrial lining, resulting in bleeding, primarily composed of blood (mostly arterial blood + some venous blood), fragments of endometrial tissue, various active enzymes, and biological factors.The “colorful” variations in menstrual blood can be attributed to various reasons:

01

Different Ratios of Arterial and Venous Blood

Menstrual blood is mostly composed of arterial blood, mixed with some venous blood.Different women have varying ratios of arterial to venous blood in their menstrual flow. If the venous blood content is relatively high, the color appears darker; conversely, it appears redder.

02

Time of Flow

Imagine the color of blood when you first get injured compared to when the wound has scabbed over; this can help you understand why menstrual blood sometimes appears abnormal.

• On the first day of menstruation and the last 1-2 days, the blood flow is less and the flow rate is slower, causing the blood to oxidize as it exits the vagina, turning brown or dark brown.

• If you see the menstrual blood shortly after it flows out, it appears brighter; if you see it after some time, it appears darker.

Your red is not the normal red!

While it is said that “menstrual red varies among individuals,” this is conditional:If the menstrual volume is between 20-60ml, not exceeding 80ml (a small bottle of yogurt is 100ml), and the color changes cyclically from brown-red-brown before and after menstruation without other symptoms, the menstruation is considered normal.However, if the menstrual color remains one of the following colors throughout, it is abnormal:

1

Light red, as if diluted with waterMost often indicates “deficiency”. For example, blood deficiency due to excessive fatigue or lack of timely recovery after surgery; spleen deficiency due to irregular diet, cold-heat imbalance, or improper eating habits.

2

Bright red, more vivid than normal menstrual color, resembling freshly squeezed strawberry juice

Most often indicates “heat” or what is referred to as “excessive fire”. This can be caused by excessive consumption of spicy foods, or internal heat due to insufficient yin fluids and excessive yang energy, which can be imagined as a feeling of dryness and heat due to insufficient body moisture.

3

Dark red, resembling blueberry jam, accompanied by blood clots

Most often indicates “stasis”, resulting from poor circulation of qi and blood in the body.Prolonged sitting, poor emotional state, excessive thinking, or exposure to cold can lead to qi and blood stagnation, resulting in cold coagulation and blood stasis.

In the image above, only the third image represents the normal red throughout the menstrual period~

Not ready to go to the hospital

What self-regulation methods are available?

Understanding the three “abnormal colors” does not allow for a definitive conclusion about the condition or regulation methods; it is necessary to consider the timing, volume, and quality of menstruation for a comprehensive assessment:

01

Early menstruation, heavy flow, dark red color, and thick texture mostly indicate “blood heat”.In terms of diet, one can consume foods that cool the body such as loofah, snow pear, tomato, mangosteen, watermelon, and winter melon, while avoiding spicy foods.

02

Early menstruation, heavy flow, light color, and thin texture mostly indicate blood deficiency.One can consider consuming red dates, donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao), and Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) to nourish the blood, while avoiding excessive fatigue.

03

Delayed menstruation, light flow, dark color, and cold pain in the lower abdomen mostly indicate blood cold.One can consider drinking ginger and brown sugar tea, and consuming warming foods such as lamb, walnuts, and leeks.

04

Delayed menstruation, light flow, thin texture mostly indicates blood deficiency.One can consider consuming red dates, donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao), and Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) to nourish the blood, while also ruling out the possibility of pregnancy.

05

Menstruation that is sometimes early and sometimes late, with varying flow and light color, accompanied by lower back pain mostly indicates kidney deficiency.One can consume Eucommia bark, goji berries, Chinese yam, and black sesame, while avoiding unregulated sexual activity to prevent multiple miscarriages.

06

Dark menstrual color, abdominal bloating, and breast tenderness mostly indicate qi stagnation.One can consider drinking rose tea and taking Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer Pill), while avoiding excessive worry and maintaining a cheerful mood.

Being able to restore health through self-regulation is the best outcome.If menstruation remains abnormal after three months, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. A TCM doctor will comprehensively assess symptoms such as diet, sleep, tongue coating, and pulse condition.For women with normal menstruation, it is also essential to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle during menstruation to prevent endocrine disorders; pay attention to personal hygiene to prevent bacterial infections.·END·[If useful, please share]Provided by Hangzhou Obstetrics and Gynecology HospitalPlease indicate “Health Hangzhou” when reprinting

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