What causes black menstrual blood?

Generally, black menstrual blood may be caused by oxidized menstrual blood, the early or late phase of the menstrual cycle, excessive mental stress, endometritis, or endometriosis. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Oxidation of Menstrual Blood

After leaving the body, menstrual blood may darken or even turn black due to oxidation upon exposure to air. No special treatment is required; maintaining good personal hygiene is sufficient.

2. Early or Late Phase of the Menstrual Cycle

At the beginning or end of menstruation, the amount of blood discharged is smaller and may remain in the uterus for a longer period, leading to darker or black-appearing blood. No specific treatment is needed. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undergoing regular gynecological checkups are recommended.

3. Excessive Mental Stress

Excessive psychological stress may disrupt hormone secretion, affecting menstrual color and causing it to appear dark or black. Maintaining a positive mindset and engaging in appropriate relaxation and stress-reduction activities can help.

4. Endometritis

Endometritis is often associated with pathogenic infections of the endometrium. Inflammation leads to the presence of inflammatory secretions and necrotic tissue in menstrual blood, resulting in blackish menstrual discharge, which may be accompanied by increased vaginal discharge, fever, and other symptoms. Patients may be treated under medical supervision with medications such as metronidazole tablets, cefaclor capsules, or Gynecological Qianjin tablets.

5. Endometriosis

Endometriosis may be caused by genetic or other factors, leading to endometrial tissue growing abnormally outside the uterine cavity. This ectopic tissue bleeds during the menstrual cycle, but slow blood expulsion can cause the menstrual flow to appear dark or black. Symptoms may include lower abdominal pain and infertility. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions and use medications such as desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol tablets, ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate tablets, or metformin tablets to alleviate symptoms.

In daily life, it is important to maintain personal hygiene, avoid frequent intrauterine procedures, eat a balanced diet, exercise appropriately, and strengthen overall physical health to prevent gynecological issues such as black menstrual blood.