There are many reasons for your menstruation to come out dark brown and look like there’s coffee grounds in it. One of the main reasons is actually low progesterone levels.
In some cases, this is caused by a sudden drop in progesterone. If you normally have menstrual periods that look like live, fresh blood and then suddenly see something like this, it’s from an unexpected drop in progesterone. However, for some women, this type of dark, lumpy menstruation is quite normal and they get it most cycles.
IMPORTANT: Always tell your gynecologist if you notice any differences in the appearance of your menstrual period.
For some women, this type of period is caused by the use of hormonal pills, such as oral contraceptives or the morning-after pill. The contraceptive pill causes the body to stop producing mature eggs in the ovaries. If the level of the hormones in the pill aren’t sufficient for your body, your menstrual period may come out like this.
The morning-after pill works by forcing the body to expel what is currently in the uterus. This can cause lumps in the menstruation because the hormone levels aren’t what your body is used to. These pills can also affect your body for more than one cycle after taking one.
What about if you aren’t taking hormonal pills?
If you aren’t on hormonal contraceptives, this type of bleeding can actually be a sign that you are pregnant. When the fertilized embryo implants into the lining of the uterus, bleeding can occur. This will likely come out as dark blood that is a little lumpy. If you see this, and only about 10% of women do, be sure to wait until your menstruation is late by about five days and then take a pregnancy test.
Some women experience a brown sludge in their discharge throughout the early stages of their pregnancy. This is, again, caused by a hormonal deficiency – specifically a lack of progesterone. This hormone is essential for maintaining the thickness of the endometrium, which nourishes and protects the growing fetus.
If you notice this bleeding at any point, it’s important to tell your gynecologist. They will investigate the cause and can prescribe hormonal medication to treat it. Without this treatment, you are at risk of a miscarriage.
What about those who regularly experience menstruation that looks like coffee grounds?
For some women, a dark and slightly lumpy menstruation is completely normal and they aren’t even using hormonal contraceptives. However, just because they see it all the time doesn’t mean that there isn’t an underlying problem. If you experience this, it’s not a bad idea to get some tests done to check your hormone levels. Your progesterone, estrogen and LH may not be properly balanced. Your doctor will also do an ultrasound to check for conditions like endometriosis.
Other common causes
Anovulation can cause your menstrual period to appear like a brown sludge rather than the normal fresh blood. This is because the hormones weren’t balanced as they usually are throughout your cycle, which leads to no mature egg being formed. This lack of ovulation can then lead to only a thin layer forming on your uterus lining. When it breaks down as menstruation, it won’t look like it normally does in a regular cycle.
It’s quite normal to occasionally experience an anovulatory cycle, so don’t worry if it’s just a once-off thing. However, if it occurs more than once, it’s definitely worth talking to your doctor about it.
Inflammation in the uterus can cause this dark menstruation that looks like it has coffee grounds in it. There are many reasons why your uterus can become inflamed and it’s important to talk to your gynecologist about it. They will test for conditions like endometriosis and bacterial infections.
Recurring questions from readers
Due to the large number of questions we receive about this topic, we’ve combined them to look at the recurring concerns and worries you have.
Can dark menstruation with lumps in it mean that I’m pregnant?
Yes, it can be a sign of pregnancy. However, this is not the answer you should jump to immediately, especially if you haven’t experienced any other symptoms of early pregnancy.
The most likely culprit is a hormonal change, such as an increase in estrogen or a drop in progesterone. Some women will experience a once-off change for one cycle, while others can see this sort of menstruation for every cycle. It all depends on your body.
If this dark bleeding is a sign that you are pregnant, it may have come from implantation of the embryo into the uterus lining. This bleeding usually presents as a brown sludge mixed in with discharge. It also only lasts a maximum of three days. If your full menstruation does not start, wait until you are five days late and take a pregnancy test.
What if I get dark blood coming out in the middle of my cycle?
Some women experience bleeding at the time of ovulation. This is quite normal as the egg ruptures out of the follicle and this can bleed briefly. The blood should be dark in color (not fresh) and will only come out for a couple of days.
Bleeding in the middle of your cycle may be a sign that your hormone levels, particularly progesterone, are not right. If it happens on a regular basis, it’s best to see your gynecologist for tests.
Is menstruation that looks like coffee grounds a sign of trouble?
Not always. It may just be that you are experiencing a hormonal shift for that particular cycle. There are many reasons for this: diet related, stress or anxiety, anovulation, to name a few. If it occurs on a regular basis, it’s best to consult your doctor.
Women on the contraceptive pill can see this type of menstruation on a regular basis. This is because the synthetic hormones in the pill are keeping your hormones at particular levels in order to prevent ovulation from occurring. If you have been on the pill for a long time and your menstrual period changes, it may be a sign that this pill is no longer working for you and your dosage needs to be changed.
Can the morning-after pill cause this type of menstruation?
It absolutely can cause menstruation that is dark, thick and has lumps in it. The morning-after pill is full of synthetic hormones that encourage everything within the uterus to be expelled.
Due to this sudden change in hormones, it’s quite normal to experience abnormal bleeding for a few weeks after taking this pill. If you don’t, it’s best to consult a doctor to ensure that the pill was actually effective.
How do I stop this dark menstruation or change it to a normal flow?
The best way to prevent this type of menstruation or to regulate your cycle is to consult your gynecologist. They will be able to test for hormonal imbalances and suggest hormonal treatment options. This is usually in the form of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.
Does this dark sludge count as the first day of menstruation?
No, only menstruation with fresh blood or dark blood that has flow to it is considered the start of your menstrual period. The dark, lumpy blood can be seen as a warning that menstruation is about to start.