How much is too much? Is it normal to have clots? Learn all about your period and warning signs. 

The smell, texture, and amount of menstrual flow: what is normal?

We have already seen in the previous article how complicated it is to understand female anatomy, and specifically, the menstrual cycle and all its possible variations. 

If you have any questions about the color of your period, this article will tell you which menstrual colors are normal, and which ones require a visit to the gynecologist. 

In this article we will review everything about the smell of menstrual blood, what causes the changes you may experience throughout the month, and the amounts that are considered physiological and those that are not. 

What is a menstrual period? 

But let's go back: what is a menstrual period? It consists of the shedding of a unfertilized eggmenstrual blood and tissue from the uterine lining are all part of menstrual flow. It's completely normal for this combination to have a slight odor after leaving the vagina. The odor is more likely related to vaginal fluids than to other menstrual components. Bacteria in the vaginal area and acidity can also play a role. A slight metallic smell from iron and bacteria could be perfectly normal.

What does period smell like? 

Menstrual blood doesn't smell bad and isn't dirty. However, it's true that it tends to develop an unpleasant odor after being exposed to air for an extended period. If you think your period often smells, try changing your pad, tampon, or menstrual cup more frequently. 

When your period smells bad

In these cases, people often describe a smell like "the gym," sweat, onions, or salt. These are likely caused by poor hygiene during menstruation.

Sometimes, an infection can also cause menstrual blood to smell bad. If the odor is difficult to tolerate and is accompanied by abdominal pain, severe cramps, fever, heavy flow with thicker blood clots, or excessive vaginal discharge, you should see a gynecologist. A fishy odor is usually the result of growth. excessive amount of normal vaginal bacteria or it could be due to forgetting a tampon in the uterine cavity. In either case, it indicates a bacterial problem for which a visit to the doctor is recommended, as it is treated with antibiotics.

Although the exact cause of this is not clear excessive bacterial growthBacterial vaginosis, also known as vaginal douching, appears to be more common among sexually active women and those who practice douching or post-coital vaginal washing. Deodorizing products, such as wipes and aerosol sprays, are also not recommended due to the possibility of irritation. Scented tampons, as well as plastic or non-breathable fabrics, should be avoided. It is best to use unscented, cotton tampons and breathable cotton underwear.  

Different types of smell:

Menstrual blood with a metallic smell

Clotted blood can have a metallic odor, like a copper coin. This is typically due to the presence of iron in the blood and is usually not a cause for concern. However, it shouldn't linger much longer after your period has ended.

Flow that smells rotten

This type of odor is often due to a foreign body in the area, whether it is a bacterial colonization or a tampon forgotten in the vaginal cavity. 

Sweet blood scent

A sweet smell in period blood is probably due to the acidic environment already present. presence of bacteria in the vagina.

Discharge with body odor

A person may notice an odor similar to body odor during their menstrual period. This is due to the presence of apocrine sweat glands in the genital area. Apocrine sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin to produce body odor. These glands release this type of sweat during periods of stress or anxiety. It is different from sweat caused by exercise or high temperatures. 

Menstrual flow with a fishy smell

This odor is often related to an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina, such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, which is a sexually transmitted infection.

It is more pronounced during menstruation because of the blood It increases vaginal alkalinity and creates a good environment for the growth of microorganisms. 

A person with trichomoniasis might notice an unusual fishy odor from the vagina and a change in vaginal discharge. They may also experience itching, burning, or pain in the genital area.

Risk factors for bacterial vaginosis include new or multiple sexual partners and douching.

Bacterial vaginosis produces a fishy odor. Doctors diagnose bacterial vaginosis through a series of tests and usually prescribe antibiotics for treatment.

Menstrual flow: how much is too much and how much is too little?

Blood itself is scandalous. And there always seems to be more than there is. 

The amount of blood and fluid lost is usually between 5 and 12 teaspoons per cycle. On average, during each cycle, a woman loses 35-50ml of red or brown blood, sometimes with clots. 

The regularity and intensity of menstrual cycles can vary slightly. This is especially true during menarche (the first period) or the first few months of a woman's reproductive life, after pregnancy, or during perimenopause (pre-menopause) or the final months of her reproductive life. 

It is common for ovulation to be incomplete at this time, and this can cause alterations in the regularity and intensity of menstrual flow, both in excess and in scarcity.

Similarly, other conditions that hinder proper ovulation can have the same effect. This is the case with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Uterine polyps (abnormal growths within the uterus), fibroids (abnormal growth of muscle tissue in the uterus), endometriosis (endometrial tissue outside the endometrium, sensitive to the hormonal cycle) or adenomyosis (when endometrial tissue invades the muscular wall of the uterus) will also alter the volume of bleeding and should be monitored by a doctor or specialist. 

On the other hand, some infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause bleeding between periods. If you notice blood before your period starts, consider contacting your doctor.

If these changes occur occasionally, you don't need to worry, but if it's a regular occurrence, it's a good idea to have follow-up with a specialist, especially if you intend to get pregnant, to maximize your chances. 

Menorrhagia

A period with more than 80 ml of blood or the need to change pads every hour due to excessively heavy bleeding is known as menorrhagia. 

Excessive vaginal discharge can be related to the situations described above and to poor estrogen elimination from the body. It doesn't necessarily have to be serious, but it can indicate a significant loss of iron in women and should be monitored with blood tests to prevent this. Symptoms of low iron include fatigue, weakness, or difficulty sleeping.

Hypomenorrhea 

This refers to periods with light menstrual flow. 

Its causes are related to a lack of sex hormones, a low ovarian response, or altered ovulation. 

Clots 

The exact cause of blood clots during menstruation is unclear. The presence of small clots is considered normal, especially on the first and second days of menstruation, the heaviest days of the period, but this can vary from cycle to cycle. 

When the uterine lining sheds, the body produces anticoagulant compounds that help break it down into a liquid form that is easily eliminated. But if the endometrium sheds too quickly and intensely at once, these compounds don't have enough time to work, and dark, purplish-red clots will appear during menstruation. 

Blood clots don't necessarily indicate a disease, but their size will determine whether they are physiological or not. If they are larger than about 2.5 cm, it would be advisable to seek medical attention. 

Influence of medications:

Many people experience irregular bleeding, reduced bleeding, shorter cycles, or amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods) with progesterone-only pills, especially when the pill is not taken at the same time every day.

In turn, the Hormonal IUDThe copper type, unlike the copper type, commonly causes irregular or light bleeding. Some people even stop having their periods altogether.

In any case, if you identify with any of the situations we have described as less physiological, do not hesitate to have gynecological check-ups more regularly. 

Also, keep in mind that the nutrition And lifestyle will also directly affect the quality and quantity of your periods and your overall menstrual health.

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