The menstrual flow can be the end of a dream or total relief. And depending on how it comes, it can raise a series of questions. This is the case with menstruation with pieces of skin! Have you ever heard of this?

That’s right, the piece of white skin that some women notice in their menstruation can be scary and catch you by surprise. For some, the first reaction is to think of a miscarriage. Is menstruation with pieces of skin a sign of a dissolving baby? Could I have been pregnant without knowing it?

What Is the Characteristic of Menstrual Blood?

In principle, menstruation should be bright red, like healthy blood. But the appearance of menstruation can vary according to the condition of the endometrium in that cycle1. Some women, due to hormonal causes, experience darker, brownish periods from time to time. In these cases, a rise in estrogen with low progesterone can be the reason. In other situations, a woman can have such an intense flow with blood clots that they almost look like miniature livers.

And despite being unexpected, it’s not as alarming as menstruation with pieces of skin, right? It’s important to remember that clots can appear for several reasons, among them estrogenic changes, problems like endometrial hyperplasia2 and polyps, for example. In rare cases, menstruation with pieces of blood can be pregnancy or an indication of a spontaneous miscarriage, but in the vast majority of cases, it’s just a physiological function.

White Skin in Menstruation – Why Does It Happen?

You’re certainly asking yourself: but what about the white skin? Why does it appear in menstruation? This is a phenomenon that occurs in isolated cases, maybe once or twice in a woman’s fertile life. However, it’s something perfectly normal and also caused by hormonal reasons.

It’s basically the same thing that happens with the more “usual” clots, only without the red color of blood. This menstruation with skin happens when the endometrium, rather than shedding little by little, ends up coming out all at once. That’s why it has a white appearance, resembling thin skin that vaguely looks like the skin on chicken thighs. This phenomenon is called membranous dysmenorrhea.

Characteristics of White Skin

It can be thinner than clots and look like a string, but it is still a normal thing to happen. According to gynecologist Dr. Jaime Filho, it can happen to any woman with an active menstrual cycle.

So, if you see menstruation with pieces of skin, don’t panic! If possible, see a doctor to check it out, but stay calm since there is no urgency. And no, this does not mean you are miscarrying, but as mentioned earlier, it’s always best to talk to a doctor and get all your doubts clarified3.

But then you ask: “What if this skin comes with a lot of pain and a heavy or light flow or even with a dark period and pieces. Am I sick? Do I have a serious illness?” Don’t worry. However, if the pain is very severe it should be evaluated by a doctor. Also, the pieces of white skin in menstruation should not be too large or present in great quantity. If they are, it is better to go to a gynecological emergency room and find out what is happening.

See also: Irregular Menstruation – Causes and How to Help Your Cycle Get Back to Normal