What Causes Menstrual Blood to Appear Dark?
Dec 30, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xiang Jinhong
Introduction
1. Deficiency of both Qi and Blood: When both Qi and Blood are deficient, the menstrual cycle is typically affected, leading to menstrual irregularities.
2. Menstrual Irregularity: During menstruation, this may manifest as abnormally heavy or scanty menstrual flow, premature or delayed menstrual cycles, or menstrual blood that appears bright red or dark red.
3. Cold in the Uterus with Dysmenorrhea: Dysmenorrhea caused by uterine cold is primarily due to impaired circulation of Qi and Blood, resulting in dark or black menstrual blood.
The color of menstrual blood is not, in fact, a standard criterion for determining whether menstruation is normal. When menstrual flow is heavy and bleeding occurs rapidly, the blood tends to appear bright red. Conversely, when flow is light, the blood often appears brownish. So what causes dark or black menstrual blood? Below, we address this question.
Why does menstrual blood appear dark or black?
1. Deficiency of both Qi and Blood
Deficiency of both qi and blood in women can also cause dark or black menstrual blood. This deficiency commonly disrupts menstrual function, leading to menstrual irregularities—including abnormally heavy or scanty flow, early or delayed cycles, prolonged periods, paler coloration, and thin consistency. Accompanying symptoms of qi and blood deficiency may include dizziness, blurred vision, pallor or sallow complexion, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, limb weakness, and a fine, weak pulse.
2. Menstrual Irregularity
Many women experience excessive or insufficient menstrual flow, early or delayed cycles, or abnormally red (or otherwise altered) menstrual blood—common manifestations of menstrual irregularity. Such disturbances are frequently attributable to gynecological disorders. Dark or black menstrual blood, in particular, is often associated with vaginitis or cervical erosion. Women experiencing suboptimal health should seek timely evaluation and treatment at a reputable medical facility.
3. Cold in the Uterus with Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea due to “cold in the uterus” primarily reflects impaired circulation of qi and blood, resulting in dark or black menstrual blood. Menstruation becomes highly irregular—arriving earlier or later than expected—and flow volume fluctuates significantly (sometimes heavy, sometimes light). The blood often appears purplish-red and may contain clots. Concurrent symptoms include lower abdominal pain, breast tenderness, and distending pain in the chest and hypochondriac regions. Tongue examination typically reveals a deep-red tongue body with ecchymotic spots, or an excessively pale or light-yellow coating. Treatment focuses on promoting blood circulation, regulating qi flow, and thereby reducing clots and alleviating pain.
4. Inadequate Menstrual Hygiene
Many women pay insufficient attention to their health during menstruation—smoking or drinking alcohol, engaging in strenuous exercise, continuing sexual activity without restraint, taking sitz baths, staying up late, or overexerting themselves physically. These poor menstrual hygiene practices are major contributors to abnormal menstrual coloration, including dark or black blood. Therefore, to maintain optimal health and quality of life, women must prioritize self-care and protect their bodies.
The above outlines the primary causes of dark or black menstrual blood. We hope this information proves helpful.
